Launceston Cup
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
On the last Wednesday each February a holiday is held for the Launceston Cup – a holiday for the public service in most of the region. In 2027, the Launceston Cup holiday falls on Wednesday 24 February. The holiday will be on Wednesday 23 February in 2028. All Day – Municipal areas of Break O’Day, Dorset,George Town, Glamorgan-Spring Bay (north of and including Cranbrook), Launceston excluding Launceston City centre and suburbs specified below, Meander Valley excluding suburbs and townships specified below, Northern Midlands, Southern Midlands north of but not including Oatlands, West Tamar excluding townships specified below. From 11am – Launceston City centre and the following suburbs and townships Alanvale, Blackstone Heights, East Launceston, Elphin, Franklin Village, Glen Dhu, Inveresk, Invermay, Killafaddy, Kings Meadows, Mayfield, Mowbray, Mowbray Heights, Newnham, Newstead, North Riverside, Norwood, Prospect, Prospect Vale, Punchbowl, Ravenswood, Riverside, Rocherlea, St Leonards, Sandhill, South Launceston, Summerhill, Trevallyn, Vermont, Waverley,West Launceston, West Riverside, Youngtown. The Launceston racetrack, Tasman Park, is three kilometres from downtown Launceston. The Launceston Cup in the second-richest Tasmania race with stakes hovering around $300,000. The race has run since 1865 when it was a longer race of 2,600 metres. Today it is 200 metres shorter. It is run by the Tasmanian Turf Club and entertains a crowd of around 16,000. The day is a huge day in the social life of many Tasmanians. Along with the large number of happy punters, many business people entertain their guests at the corporate marquee, or they hire their own private marquee. Either way, these are great ways to eat and drink and enjoy a race day while networking with clients and partners. The availability of pre-purchased discounts and seniors’ discounts makes the day affordable for everyone. On the day, guests can access the track via the free shuttles that run from various parts of Launceston. And the patrons who drive are able to park in the centre of the track and in other car parks. As with most cup days around Australia, fashion takes an unavoidable front seat, after the horses of course. And Launceston Cup Day holds a competition that has prizes such as travel and cash for men and women fashions.
History
The Launceston Cup traces its origins to the year 1865, when the Tasmanian Turf Club established the race as a prestigious thoroughbred event on the Launceston racecourse. The inaugural race covered a distance of 2,600 metres, making it a test of exceptional endurance for the horses and jockeys of the era. This race was conceived at a time when Launceston was a thriving colonial city whose economy was built on pastoral wealth, wool exports, and agricultural prosperity — foundations that also supported a robust culture of equestrian sport among the colonial gentry. The early races attracted considerable public interest and drew attendance from across Tasmania, establishing the Launceston Cup as a signature social and sporting occasion in the colony calendar. Over the following decades, the race distance was reduced by 200 metres to its present standard, a change that reflected evolving racing conventions and the preferences of modern racegoers, though the prestige of the event remained undiminished. By the mid-20th century, the Launceston Cup had become Tasmania second-richest race, with prize money fluctuating around the $300,000 mark, attesting to its national standing. The race has been contested annually without interruption for more than 160 years, surviving two world wars, the Great Depression, and numerous changes in racing fashion, making it one of the oldest continuously run sporting events in Australia.
How It's Celebrated
Launceston Cup Day is one of Tasmania most anticipated social and sporting events, transforming the Launceston racecourse into a vibrant hub of fashion, dining, and excitement. The day draws a crowd of approximately 16,000 attendees who come to watch the prestigious race, enjoy the festive atmosphere, and partake in the social rituals that have made the event a cornerstone of the Tasmanian calendar. Fashion takes an unmistakable front-row seat at Launceston Cup Day — the event is renowned for its fashion competitions that award generous prizes, including travel experiences and cash rewards, to both men and women whose attire stands out among the crowd. Women often don elaborate hats and outfits inspired by spring racing carnival fashion, while men frequently appear in sharp suits. Corporate hospitality is a major feature of the day, with business professionals entertaining clients and partners in private marquees or premium corporate suites, combining networking with entertainment in an atmosphere of refined leisure. Numerous dining options, from gourmet picnic hampers to racecourse food vendors, ensure guests are well-fed throughout the day. Free shuttle services operate from multiple points across Launceston, and those who drive can access dedicated parking areas, making attendance convenient for all. Many attendees also take advantage of early-bird and seniors discount packages, ensuring the day remains accessible to a broad cross-section of the community.