<p>With the 2025&nbsp;Melbourne Cup fast approaching, it’s time to start having a look at all the different activities you can partake in around the race that stops the nation.</p> <p>Aside from <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/fashion-guide-2023">dressing up</a> and watching the Melbourne&nbsp;Cup, you can run, organise or take part in what is commonly referred to as either a sweep or sweepstakes.</p> <p>Regardless of what you call it, it is one of the great Melbourne Cup Day traditions and is a must for every office, friendship group and family.</p> <p>Unsure how a Melbourne Cup sweepstakes works, what it is and how to run one? Fear not, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn how to run a&nbsp;sweepstake for Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What is a Melbourne Cup Sweep?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Melbourne Cup sweep is essentially a lottery where entrants draw a horse at random and if their horse wins or places in the race, they win a portion of the prize pool.</p> <p>Conducting a Melbourne Cup sweep is a tradition that has been long associated with the race that stops the nation and takes place across housholds, workplaces and bars throughout Australia!</p> <p>Participating in a Melbourne Cup sweepstake whether it be in the office or at home&nbsp;adds an extra layer of excitement to the big race. Typically, a sweep will involve a group of people, most commonly work colleagues, each paying a fixed entry fee which goes into the prize pool.&nbsp;</p> <p>The names of all the horses running in the Melbourne Cup are placed into a hat and then each participant draws, aligning them with that horse for the race.</p> <p>Prizes are usually given to the holders of the horses that finish first, second, third and sometimes even last. It depends on how you want to run your sweep.</p> <p>The amount won depends on the size of the sweepstake and how it's divided. It's a fun way to get involved in the race, even for those without extensive knowledge of horse racing.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>How to Run a Melbourne Cup Sweep</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A Melbourne Cup sweep is similar to a lucky dip, where you put all of the horses' names into a hat and each person pays an agreed amount (E.g. $5) to pull a horse's name out.</p> <p>Then all of the money becomes the prize pool and the person with the winning horse gets the prize money. You can even divide the prize pool up by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and last placed horses.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>1. Decide on the Entry Fee</h3> <p>This could be any amount you choose, but make sure it's affordable for all potential participants.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>2. Create the Sweep</h3> <p>Once the field has been announced you will be able to use our downloadable 2025 Melbourne Cup Sweepstake PDF below to create a hassle-free sweepstakes. Until then keep this part of the step locked away in your mind until we can provide the sweep!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>3. Collect the Entry Fees</h3> <p>Ensure everyone who wants to participate has paid their entry fee before the draw begins.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>4. Conduct the Draw</h3> <p>Each participant picks a horse from a hat, bowl, or any apparatus that can hold pieces of paper. Got a wheelbarrow or a medieval helmet laying around the office for some reason? Go for it! The horse they draw will be their horse for the race. Make sure to keep a record of who has drawn each horse.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>5. Watch the Race</h3> <p>Gather together to watch or <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/how-to-stream-melbourne-cup">stream</a> the 2025 Melbourne Cup.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>6. Distribute the Prizes</h3> <p>After the race, the prize pool (made up of the entry fees) is distributed. Typically, prizes are given to those who drew the first, second, and third place horses, and sometimes the last-place horse too. But it’s up to you, if you want to do the winner takes all, feel free.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>There you have it, Sportsbet's guide to running a Melbourne Cup sweepstake. Speaking of the great race you can follow along with the latest news, tips and previews of the race right here on The Huddle with our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup/the-melbourne-cup-2025">Melbourne Cup Tips &amp; Preview</a> and explore the history of the race that stops the nation with our <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/horse-racing/melbourne-cup">Melbourne Cup Hub</a> filled to the brim with fresh articles.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>