The world’s biggest canine celebration has brought 18,698 perfectly groomed dogs to the National Show Center in Birmingham, where the Kennel Club judging panel, headed by Dr Tamas Jakkel, has the impossible task of choosing their favourite, Best in Show. It’s a botched job, but someone has to do it.
Topping the entries in each breed group are Labrador Retrievers (547 – Hunting Dog), 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 (hunting dog), 330 smooth-coated retrievers (hunting dog) and 265 Shetland sheepdogs (pastoral).
The program (listed in full at the bottom of this page) also includes the Royal Kennel Club Hero Dog Award and the Scruffts Crossbreed Competition.
This is where to watch Crufts live streams online from anywhere, and potentially FREE.
Watch Crufts 2026 for FREE
Crufts 2026 is broadcast live for free in most countries around the world.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom: YouTube & channel 4
World: YouTube
What happens if you are abroad? Dog lovers can use NordVPN to watch their regular 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 provided by free-to-air channels Channel 4 and More4, with Claudia Winkleman and Clare Balding presenting, Radzi Chinyanganya and Ellie Simmonds providing analysis, features and interviews, and Dr Paul Manktelow on hand with advice for pet owners.
The channels show 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 outside 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
He Crufts YouTube Channel is live streaming Crufts 2026 everywhere the video streaming service operates. Coverage usually starts around 3am ET / 8am GMT / 7pm AEDT.
If for some reason you can’t get YouTube to work, use a VPN to take advantage of that free Crufts stream.
Crufts 2026 FAQ
What is the Crufts schedule?
(All times GMT)
Thursday March 5
08.15am – Agility Crufts Novice Cup (jumping)
09:25 – Small/Medium Agility Championship (Jumping)
10:30 a.m. – Heel work competition with music
11:50 a.m. – Rest
12.30 pm – Final of the Agility Crufts Novice Cup (Agility)
1:25 p.m. – Small/medium agility championship (agility)
2:15 p.m. – Young Kennel Club – Jumping Cup
15.12 – Flyball – The round of 16
3:50 p.m. – Winner of the Heelwork to Music contest
3.55pm – West Midlands Police display
16.25 – Rest
5pm – Small/Medium Agility Championship Final (followed by the Dog Grooming Presentation)
5:40 p.m. – Final of the youth authorization contest
18:00 – Breeders Contest
6:25 p.m. – Group jury (working) and presentation
19.15 – Group judging (Pastoral) and presentation
8:05 p.m. – End of program
Friday March 6
8.30am – Joe Cartledge Memorial International Youth Handling Competition
10:20 – Agility – Crufts Medium ABC/Intermediate ABC/Large ABC Final (Jump)
11:00 – Agility – Crufts Singles Series – S/M/I/L – Jumping
11:55 a.m. – Freestyle Heelwork to Music Contest
13.10 – Rest
1:30 p.m. – Agility – Crufts Singles Series – S/M/I/L – Agility
14:25 – Agility – Crufts Medium ABC and ABC final for beginners intermediate/large (Agility)
3pm – Build Flyball
3:12 p.m. – Flyball – Teams – Round of 16
3:50 p.m. – Winner of the Freestyle Heelwork to Music contest
3.55pm – West Midlands Police Dog Show
16.20 – Rest
4:55 p.m. – Agility – Crufts Singles Final: Small, Medium, Intermediate and Large (Agility) Followed by the dog grooming presentation
5:40 p.m. – Vulnerable Breeds Final
6:05 pm – Joe Cartledge Memorial International Youth Driving Competition Final Judging
6:25 p.m. – Group evaluation (Terrier) and presentation
7:15 p.m. – Group judging (Hound) and presentation
8:05 p.m. – End of program
Saturday March 7
8.15am – Crufts – International Invitation – Large (Jump)
09:00 – Scruffts Semifinals
10 am – Showcase of the Good Citizen dog training program
10:30 a.m. – Hoopers Exhibition
11 a.m. – Southern Golden Retriever Show Team
11.20am – West Midlands Police display
11:50 p.m. – Heelwork to Music – International Freestyle Competition
13.15 – Medical detection dogs
13.40 – Agility – International Invitation – Large (Agility)
2.20pm: Young Kennel Club Agility Dog of the Year Final followed by Agility Team GB Parade
3:40 p.m. – Flyball – Young Kennel Club Flyball Final
3:50 p.m. – Flyball – Team quarterfinals
16.25 – Rest
5:00 p.m. – Agility – International Invitation – Large – Agility Final followed by the dog grooming presentation
5:40 p.m. – Final of Scruffts
6:05 p.m. – Heelwork to Music – International freestyle winner
6:10 p.m. – Exhibition of the Obedience Champion (Dog) and Reserve (Dog)
6:25 p.m. – Group evaluation (usefulness) and presentation
7:15 p.m. – Group evaluation (toy) and presentation
8:05 p.m. – End of program
Sunday March 8
8.35 a.m. – Agility – Championships – Intermediate/Large (Jumping)
09:40 a.m. – Rescue dog agility
10:10 a.m. – Exhibition of the Good Citizen dog training plan
10.40am – Heelwork to Music Winner
10.45 a.m. – Exhibition of canine activities
11.15 am – Southern Golden Retriever Show Team
11.35 – Rest
12:05 p.m. – Agility Championships – Intermediate/Large (Agility)
1:10 p.m. – HM Prison Service Dog Show
13:30 – The program ends and the Arena clears
14:45 – Stadium doors open for Best in Show ticket holders
4.20pm – Sunday Entertainment – Graham Bickley
4:30 p.m. – Flyball – semi-finals and final
4.50pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End actor, nominated for four prestigious awards for Best Actor in a Musical and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
17:00 – Agility – Championship – Intermediate/Large – Agility Final
5:45 p.m. – Presentation of the RKC dog grooming championship
5:55 p.m. – RKC Hero Dog Award
6:05 pm – YRKC Stakes Final and Presentation
6:15 p.m. – End of the ranger competition
6:30 p.m. – Hunting dog exhibition
6:50 p.m. – Group judging (hunting dog) and presentation
19.40 – Interval
7.50pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End actor, nominated for four prestigious awards for Best Actor in a Musical and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
8pm – West Midlands Police
8:20 p.m. – Presentation of the Police Dog Team Award for Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year
8.27pm – Graham Bickley: leading West End actor, nominated for four prestigious awards for Best Actor in a Musical and proud owner of Louie the Golden Retriever
8:30 p.m. – The best in show and presentation
21:00 – End of the program
Can I watch Crufts for free?
Yeah! As described above, free coverage is available in channel 4 in the UK and in YouTube practically everywhere else.
Away fans can use a VPN to watch 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 through the browser on your phone.
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).
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