Melbourne Royal Show Update: August 2026
12 Aug 2026 / Melbourne Royal News, Melbourne Royal Show
The countdown is officially on! With just six weeks until the Melbourne Royal Show returns to Melbourne Showgrounds, preparations have entered their final stages and excitement is building across the organisation as we prepare to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors this September.
Across the Showgrounds, months of planning will soon come to life. Competition entries are being finalised, entertainment rehearsals will soon commence and suppliers are gearing up to transform Melbourne Showgrounds into Victoria's largest annual celebration of agriculture, entertainment and community.
Visitors can look forward to an exciting mix of returning favourites and new experiences this year, including an expanded Animal Nursery, a brand-new Better Living Retail Pavilion, more opportunities to get up close to our livestock and horses, an exciting new Paw Patrol Playworld, refreshed daytime entertainment, and a spectacular evening program featuring Freestyle motorcross, a brand-new animal showcase 'The Drovers Tale' and the fireworks.
Our ticketing campaign begins this month, with Loyalty Access opening on Thursday 20 August, followed by our Public Launch on Monday 24 August. If you're planning to visit, I encourage you to secure your tickets early and help spread the word by inviting family, friends and colleagues to experience everything the Melbourne Royal Show has to offer.
If you're not already a Melbourne Royal Member, I'd also encourage you to consider joining our community. Membership supports the important work of Melbourne Royal throughout the year and helps preserve one of Victoria's most cherished traditions, while providing access to a range of exclusive member benefits.
As always, I want to thank our competition committees, volunteers, exhibitors, partners and members for their continued passion and commitment. Their dedication is what makes the Melbourne Royal Show such a special event, and my focus remains firmly on delivering another exceptional Show for the Victorian community.
I look forward to welcoming you to the 2026 Melbourne Royal Show from Thursday 24 September to Sunday 4 October.
Hannah von Bibra
Executive General Manager, Melbourne Royal Show