Crufts is back for 2026, bringing four days of exceptionally talented and adoooorable dogs to your TV screen.
Want to know what all the barking is about? From the lightning speed of the agility competition to the elegance of the Best in Show finale, here’s everything you need to know about the biggest dog show in the world.
When is Crufts 2026?
Crufts 2026 takes place from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March, a four-day celebration of man’s best friend. The big Best in Show final takes place on Sunday evening.
For breeders and handlers, though, Crufts is not just any event. As Freely's own Donna Wallis, a dog breeder and handler, explains, the preparation starts long before March arrives. “It’s manic. It’s not a case of you go, oh, you know, I’m going to run a comb through my dog, let’s put it in the ring. It’s months basically.”
Where is Crufts held?
Crufts is held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.
The NEC becomes a sea of grooming tables, show leads and impeccably presented competitors waiting their turn in the ring. Visitors can explore shopping halls, breed booths and live demonstrations alongside the main arena action.
Donna says visitors should come prepared. “You can expect to be tired… sore feet… an empty bank balance… and some lovely, wonderful examples of breed. And you will learn something that you didn’t know.”
One important thing to remember if you are heading there in person. “The biggest misconception is that people attending can take their dogs. No… the only dogs that can enter the facility are the dogs competing or working.”
How to watch Crufts 2026 on TV
In the UK, Crufts coverage is shown on Channel 4.
This year, The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman will be part of the hositng line-up, alongside Clare Balding, Ellie Simmonds and Radzi Chinyanganya.
If you are watching on Freely, you can jump straight into the live coverage. Just head to the TV Guide to see what is on now and what is coming up next. Less scrolling, more showing.
Missed a dramatic agility run or a surprise winner? No worries. Catch up on demand and rewind the action.
And yes, there is some fresh energy on screen this year too. Donna is excited about Claudia Winkleman joining the presenting team. “She’s lovely… she doesn’t pretend to be anything she’s not… She’s going to connect Joe Public with the show. She’s going to be fabulous.”
What happens at Crufts?
Across four days, thousands of dogs compete in breed judging, where they are assessed against others of the same breed to see how closely they match the official standard. Each breed winner then progresses to group judging, competing within one of seven groups for a place in the final.
Qualifying alone is no small feat. “You have to come first, second or third at a championship show in the year to be able to have the right to enter for Crufts,” Donna explains. “So you know that the dogs at Crufts are the best in the country.”
Alongside the main show ring, you can also enjoy high energy agility competitions, fast paced flyball relay races and heelwork to music, where dogs and handlers perform carefully choreographed routines that are as impressive as they are joyful.
There is also a new grooming competition in the arena this year. “That’s being brought to the arena for this year for the first time,” Donna says.
Behind the scenes, the commitment is intense. “It is a full time job, basically.” In the run up to Crufts, she grooms her dogs twice a week, and her young white contender needs bathing three or four times weekly just to stay show ready.
How you can take part
Firstly, you can head to the NEC Birmingham from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 March 2026 to watch the event in person. Tickets for Crufts are available on the official website.
Even if you are not attending, you can still take part by voting for the winner of the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, which celebrates extraordinary dogs making a difference in people’s lives.
Donna herself volunteers with Therapy Dogs Nationwide and sees that impact first hand. “To be able to give back to the community is wonderful… The love and the reward they give to the community is just lovely.”
What is Best in Show?
Best in Show is the grand finale of Crufts.
The seven group winners return to the main arena and are judged against one another. Conformation, movement, temperament and how closely the dog matches the official breed standard all come into play.
And if the win comes? “It’s a dream… To get her a rosette, it’s like a stamp of approval… But to win it is… I can’t even imagine. It is a dream.”
What dog breeds compete?
Crufts features pedigree dogs from across the UK and beyond, organised into seven groups: Gundog, Hound, Pastoral, Terrier, Toy, Utility and Working.
You might see everything from a tiny Chihuahua to a towering Great Dane in the same day. Each breed is judged against its own standard, so it is not about size or popularity. It is about how well each dog represents its breed.
As for Donna's favourite groups? “Obviously I’m going to say utility first… then the terriers… then the working dogs… and I love the Afghan hounds. Those [trainers] have got more time than God.”
Whether you tune in for the agility thrills, the perfectly groomed show dogs or simply to spot one of your favourite breeds, Crufts is one of the biggest dates in the UK TV calendar.
So grab a cuppa, get comfortable and get ready for four days of adorable and talented dogs!
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