Delaware North, a global hospitality and entertainment company with nearly 40 years of operations in Australia, has been appointed as the hospitality services provider for the Victoria Racing Club (VRC), home of the iconic Flemington Racecourse, following a competitive tender (bidding) process.
The multiyear agreement with VRC will begin in April 2026, marking a significant milestone for Delaware North as it expands its footprint in Melbourne’s world-class sporting and entertainment landscape. Flemington Racecourse, renowned for hosting the Melbourne Cup Carnival and other premier racing events, is one of Australia’s most celebrated sporting venues, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
Under the new partnership, Delaware North will manage hospitality services across race days, non-event functions and corporate areas, delivering exceptional experiences for members, guests and racing fans.
“This is an incredible opportunity for Delaware North to partner with one of the most prestigious racing organizations in the world,” said Gary Brown, managing director of Delaware North in Australia and New Zealand. “Flemington is synonymous with excellence and tradition, and we are honored to bring our global expertise and local knowledge to enhance the hospitality experience at this iconic venue.”
The appointment strengthens Delaware North’s position as a leader in Australian venue hospitality, complementing its existing partnerships with the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Marvel Stadium.
Kylie Rogers, chief executive officer of the Victoria Racing Club, said Delaware North impressed during the tender process with its vision for elevating the guest experience for VRC members and patrons and its strong reputation and local presence in Melbourne’s hospitality and events industry.
“The Victoria Racing Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Delaware North as its new hospitality partner following a comprehensive tender process,” Rogers said.
“Delaware North is one of the world’s leading privately owned catering and hospitality companies, with extensive experience delivering premium culinary experiences across stadiums, race clubs, national parks and luxury resorts around the world and in Australia. They were selected for their proven capability in commercialising business events, conferences and non-race-day events, along with their strong track record in premium hospitality.
“As a strategic partner, Delaware North will help elevate the VRC’s precinct-wide food offering, enhance member engagement and support the club’s commercial growth objectives. Their expertise in major events, site transitions and member-focused service delivery positions them well to deliver for our customers and the broader VRC community.
“The VRC also sincerely thanks Crown for their exceptional service and support over the past four years,” Rogers said.
Delaware North plans to introduce a mix of locally inspired culinary offerings and premium service styles to Flemington, ensuring guests enjoy a true taste of Melbourne.
With operations spanning three continents, Delaware North brings extensive experience managing hospitality at dozens of major sports and entertainment venues, including London’s Wembley Stadium, MetLife Stadium near New York City and Boston’s TD Garden, which the company owns and operates.
“Our global expertise combined with a deep understanding of Melbourne’s vibrant food culture will ensure we deliver a best-in-class experience for every guest at Flemington,” Brown said.
Delaware North’s other operations in Australia and New Zealand include Lizard Island Resort on the Great Barrier Reef, Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin and restaurants at major airports, including Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.
About Victoria Racing Club
With a racing history dating back to 1840, Flemington Racecourse is home to both the world-renown Melbourne Cup Carnival and Australia’s premier racing club, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC). Established in 1864, the VRC has over 30,000 members, making it the largest member-based racing club in the world and hosting over 20 race meetings per year. The Melbourne Cup Carnival, ranging across its four key race days: Howden Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Crown Oaks Day and TAB Champions Stakes Day, offers an unrivalled world-class experience that encompasses the finest racing, entertainment, fashion, culture, food and wine all in the one place. Flemington Racecourse has established itself as one of the most versatile venues in Australia. With the capacity to hold up to 60,000 people in a huge outdoor setting or hold large indoor conferences or seminars, Flemington racecourse shows its true capability to cater for many types of events.