The world’s greatest celebration of dogs has brought 18,698 perfectly primped and preened pooches to Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre, where The Kennel Club’s judging panel – headed up by Dr Tamas Jakkel – have the impossible task of picking out their favorite, the Best in Show. It’s a ruff job, but someone’s got to do it.
Topping the entries in each breed group are Labrador Retrievers (547 – Gundog), Whippets (403 – Hound), Staffordshire Bull Terriers (393 – Terrier), Border Collies (310 – Pastoral), Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (282 – Toy), Dalmatians (265 – Utility), and Siberian Huskies (156 – Working). There are also 409 Cocker Spaniels (Gundog), 330 Flat Coated Retrievers (Gundog) and 265 Shetland Sheepdogs (Pastoral).
The program (listed in full at the bottom of this page) also features the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award, and crossbreed competition Scruffts.
Here’s where to watch Crufts live streams online from anywhere – and potentially for FREE.
Watch Crufts 2026 for FREE
Crufts 2026 is being live streamed for free in most countries around the world.
🇬🇧 UK: YouTube & Channel 4
Worldwide: YouTube
What if you’re abroad? Dog lovers can use NordVPN to watch their usual streaming service from anywhere.
How to watch any Crufts stream using a VPN
How to watch Crufts 2026 in the UK
In the UK, Crufts coverage is being provided by free-to-air Channel 4 and More4, with Claudia Winkleman and Clare Balding on presenting duty, Radzi Chinyanganya and Ellie Simmonds providing analysis, features and interviews, and Dr Paul Manktelow on hand with tips for pet owners.
The channels are showing more than 17 hours of action between them, all of which will be available to stream live and on-demand on the Channel 4 streaming service.
Alternatively, you can tune in via the Crufts YouTube channel.
Traveling away from the UK? Use a VPN to watch Channel 4 from abroad while you’re away from home.
How to watch Crufts 2026 in the US, Canada, Australia and the rest of the world
The Crufts YouTube channel is live streaming Crufts 2026 everywhere the video streaming service operates. Coverage typically begins at around 3am ET / 8am GMT / 7pm AEDT.
If, for any reason, you can’t get YouTube working, use a VPN to tap into that free Crufts stream.
Crufts 2026 FAQs
What is the Crufts schedule?
(All times GMT)
Thursday, March 5
8.15am – Agility Crufts Novice Cup (Jumping)
9.25am – Agility Championships Small/Medium (Jumping)
10.30am – Heelwork to Music Competition
11.50am – Break
12.30pm – Agility Crufts Novice Cup Final (Agility)
1.25pm – Agility Championships Small/Medium(Agility)
2.15pm – Young Kennel Club – Jumping Cup
3.12pm – Flyball – The Last 16
3.50pm – Heelwork to Music Competition Winner
3.55pm – West Midlands Police Display
4.25pm – Break
5pm – Agility Championships Small/Medium Final (Followed by the Dog Grooming Presentation)
5.40pm – Junior Warrant Competition Final
6pm – Breeders Competition
6.25pm – Group judging (Working) and presentation
7.15pm – Group judging (Pastoral) and presentation
8.05pm – Programme ends
Friday, March 6
8.30am – Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling competition
10.20am – Agility – Crufts Medium ABC/Intermediate ABC/Large ABC Final (Jumping)
11am – Agility – Crufts Singles Heat – S/M/I/L – Jumping
11.55am – Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition
1.10pm – Break
1.30pm – Agility – Crufts Singles Heat – S/M/I/L – Agility
2.25pm – Agility – Crufts Medium ABC and Intermediate/Large Novice ABC Final (Agility)
3pm – Build Flyball
3.12pm – Flyball – Team – The Last 16
3.50pm – Freestyle Heelwork to Music Competition Winner
3.55pm – West Midlands Police Dog Display
4.20pm – Break
4.55pm – Agility – Crufts Singles Final: Small, Medium, Intermediate and Large (Agility) Followed by the Dog Grooming Presentation
5.40pm – Vulnerable Breeds Final
6.05pm – Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling competition Final Judging
6.25pm – Group Judging (Terrier) and Presentation
7.15pm – Group Judging (Hound) and Presentation
8.05pm – Programme ends
Saturday, March 7
8.15am – Crufts – International Invitation – Large (Jumping)
9am – Scruffts Semi Finals
10am – Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Display
10.30am – Hoopers Display
11am – Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
11.20am – West Midlands Police Display
11.50pm – Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Competition
1.15pm – Medical Detection Dogs
1.40pm – Agility – International Invitation – Large (Agility)
2.20pm – Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year Finals followed by Agility Team GB parade
3.40pm – Flyball – Young Kennel Club Flyball finals
3.50pm – Flyball – Team Quarter Finals
4.25pm – Break
5pm – Agility – International Invitation – Large – Agility Finals Followed by the Dog Grooming Presentation
5.40pm – Scruffts Final
6.05pm – Heelwork to Music – Freestyle International Winner
6.10pm – Obedience Champion (Dog) and Reserve (Dog) Display
6.25pm – Group Judging (Utility) and Presentation
7.15pm – Group Judging (Toy) and Presentation
8.05pm – Programme ends
Sunday, March 8
8.35am – Agility – Championships – Intermediate/Large (Jumping)
9.40am – Rescue Dog Agility
10.10am – Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Display
10.40am – Heelwork to Music Winner
10.45am – Dog Activities Display
11.15am – Southern Golden Retriever Display Team
11.35am – Break
12.05pm – Agility Championships – Intermediate/Large (Agility)
1.10pm – HM Prison Service Dog Display
1.30pm – Programme ends and Arena to be cleared
2.45pm – Arena doors open for Best in Show ticket holders
4.20pm – Sunday Entertainment – Graham Bickley
4.30pm – Flyball – semi finals and final
4.50pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End performer, nominated for four prestigious Best Actor in a Musical awards, and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
5pm – Agility – Championship – Intermediate/Large – Agility Final
5.45pm – RKC Dog Grooming Championships presentation
5.55pm – RKC Hero Dog Award
6.05pm – YRKC Stakes Final and Presentation
6.15pm – Gamekeepers Competition Final
6.30pm – Gundog Display
6.50pm – Group Judging (Gundog) and Presentation
7.40pm – Interval
7.50pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End performer, nominated for four prestigious Best Actor in a Musical awards, and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
8pm – West Midlands Police
8.20pm – Presentation of the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year Award
8.27pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End performer, nominated for four prestigious Best Actor in a Musical awards, and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
8.30pm – Best in Show and Presentation
9pm – Programme ends
Can I watch Crufts free of charge?
Yes! As outlined above, free coverage is available on Channel 4 in the UK, and on YouTube pretty much everywhere else.
Fans away from home can use a VPN to watch the free coverage from abroad.
Can I watch Crufts 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all things Crufts on the official social media channels on YouTube (@Crufts), Instagram (@Crufts) and Facebook (@Crufts).
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
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