Crufts 2026: All the need-to-know facts about the world's premier dog show at the NEC Birmingham
Crufts is returning for another year of 'pawsome' performances and dazzling competitions - here's everything you need to know about the world's leading dog show.
The NEC Birmingham is all set to welcome back thousands of four-legged friends as it plays host to the premier dog show, Crufts, for the 35th year running.
Established in 1891, Crufts, which is operated by The Royal Kennel Club, is the biggest dog show in the world, attracting thousands upon thousands of visitors and canine competitors each year to display their skills and abilities, all with the hope of taking home a coveted trophy.
Running from Thursday to Sunday this week (March 5 to March 8) the event is expected to draw thousands of spectators and dog owners to Birmingham, as well as millions of eyes from across the world who will be watching it live.
So, to help you catch all of the action, we have compiled a comprehensive list of all the ways to watch Crufts this year, and who and what to watch out for.
What is Crufts?
Organised by the newly crowned Royal Kennel Club (Formally the Kennel Club), Crufts is the premier dog show in the world.
The yearly event is among the most important dates in a canine competitors calendar, and sees thousands of budding contestants and their pooches visit Birmingham each and every year to try their luck and taking home the gold.
The competition includes an enormous number of events over the four days, including various dog breed shows, obedience, agility, comformation, and the ever-popular Best in Show event.
A must-see is the Fly-Ball event, which sees super fast hounds run a relay race at lightning speeds.
Where is Crufts taking place?
This year will mark the 35th year running that Birmingham's NEC arena will play host to the dog event.
Being home to Crufts for the last 34 years, the NEC has become a venue of legend in the competitive canine world, drawing the gaze of millions of TV, Youtube and social media viewers each year.
Who was the best in show in 2025?
Last year's Best in Show winner was a four-year-old whippet from Venice called Miuccia.
Handled by Giovanni Ligouri, she beat more than 18,000 to steal our hearts and take home the coveted title.
The win was the fourth time that a whippet has taken the gold.
While Miuccia stole our hearts, she wasn't on the podium alone, as two-year-old Tibetan Mastiff runner-up, the aptly named Viking, was looking equally majestic with bearded handler Gabriele Stafuzza.
Where to watch?
Crufts will be broadcast this year on both Channel 4 and More4, with recaps of the show shown on Crufts's own YouTube channel.
The Best in Show live event will take place at 7pm on Sunday, March 8, with the closing ceremony taking place not long after.
How to visit
Tickets for Crufts 2026 can be purchased on an individual day basis from the AXS website, with general ticket prices listed on the Crufts website.
Each day is expected to be busy, so it is recommended to arrive as early as possible to make the most of the day.
What is there to do?
Crufts isn't only an exhilarating dog show, it's also one of the premier dog expo events in the world.
The event is an amazing place to learn all about the newest care techniques, pick up the latest foods, buy dog-related products and talk about everything pooch.
Featuring hundreds of stalls filled with all manners of doggy products, there is plenty to buy and learn about at Crufts.
The expo also features live talks with canine experts, all providing valuable information on our four-legged friends, from general health to nutrition requirements.
If buying stuff for our pooches isn't good enough, there's also plenty of treats we can buy ourselves.
The NEC offers its usual dining choices, from TGI Fridays to Miller and Carter.
However, if you wanted to remain in Crufts, there's plenty of treats, snacks, drinks and foods that you can pick up right on the expo floor.
How do I get there?
There are plenty of ways to get to the NEC, however, the best way is to drive and get there early.
There is plenty of onsite parking at the NEC, but for those wanting to travel by rail, you can get a train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International, which is then a short walk to the NEC.
For more information on specific train routes and train times, check the National Rail website.
For more information on what to experience on the day, visit the official Crufts website.
