The annual Crufts dog show begins today, March 5, 2026, at the NEC in Birmingham, featuring over 18,000 dogs from more than 200 breeds. New presenter Claudia Winkleman joins veteran Clare Balding for Channel 4 coverage of competitions including agility and heelwork to music. The event culminates in the Best in Show final on Sunday evening.
Crufts 2026, organised by The Kennel Club, runs from March 5 to 8 at the NEC Birmingham. The event attracts thousands of dogs competing for titles across various categories, with Labrador Retrievers leading entries at nearly 600, followed by Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Whippets, and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. The rarest breed represented is the Komondor, with just three entries.
Coverage airs on Channel 4 and More 4, streaming for free via the Channel 4 platform. Thursday's schedule includes Channel 4 broadcasts from 3pm to 4pm and 7:30pm to 9:30pm, focusing on working and pastoral group judging, agility championships, and heelwork to music. More 4 covers 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Subsequent days feature terrier and hound groups on Friday, utility and toy on Saturday, and gundog plus Best in Show on Sunday.
Claudia Winkleman, known from The Traitors, makes her debut as presenter alongside Clare Balding, Ellie Simmonds, Radzi Chinyanganya, Jim Rosenthal, and Frank Kale. Veterinary advice comes from Dr. Paul Manktelow. Winkleman expressed enthusiasm: 'I absolutely love dogs and there is literally nowhere else on earth I’d rather be. I can’t wait to join this incredible team and I’m so grateful to Channel 4 for allowing me to be part of it. I have a pocket rammed with treats.'
Highlights include the Best in Show at 8:30pm GMT on March 8, following group judging and special displays like the Kennel Club Hero Dog Award. Last year's winner was a Whippet named Miuccia. Historically, Cocker Spaniels have won seven times, while Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, and Welsh Terriers each have four victories. Channel 4 also covers Scruffts for crossbreed dogs, with additional streams on the Crufts YouTube channel.
Tickets remain available for in-person attendance at the NEC.
