Watch Crufts on TV – the largest show of its kind in the world – as it returns to Birmingham’s NEC this week (5–8 March 2026).
Organised and hosted by The Kennel Club, Crufts celebrates all types of dogs from the largest dog breeds to the smartest dog breeds, and toy dogs to hound breeds across four days of competition. Hundreds of dogs make the pilgrimage to the NEC for their chance to earn the title of Crufts Best In Show this evening.
At a glance
Crufts dates: 5–8 March 2026
TV coverage:Channel 4 (UK, FREE), More4 and YouTube
Live, uninterrupted coverage of the main arena is streamed for free on the Official Crufts YouTube channel, but you can also catch up every evening with Channel 4’s curated coverage, which will include highlights of the day, live judging, features and a look at the serious side of dog breeding and ownership.
Free Channel 4 coverage
There is more than 20 hours of free coverage across Channel 4 and More4. You can watch live on TV or stream it all online – and catch up on previous years – via Channel 4.
When is Crufts 2026 on TV?
Thursday, 5 March: 3–4pm and 7.30–9.30pm
Friday, 6 March: 3–4pm
Saturday, 7 March: 2–6pm and 7–9pm
Sunday, 8 March: 3.30–6.30pm and 7–9pm
More4 Coverage
Thursday, 5 March: 6.30–7.30pm
Friday, 6 March: 6.30–9pm
What time is Best In Show?
The Best In Show competition will begin today (Sunday, 8 March) at 8.30pm, and will be shown live on Channel 4.
Who is presenting Crufts on Channel 4?
The coverage will be led by Clare Balding and new addition Claudia Winkleman. They will be joined by returning co-presenters Ellie Simmonds and Radzi Chinyanganya.
Jim Rosenthal and Frank Kane will be commentating on events, while vet Dr Paul Manktelow will return to offer viewers dog care advice throughout the coverage.
What is on at Crufts today?
Today (Sunday, 8 March) sees the gundog competitions and concludes with Best In Show. The schedule in the main arena is as follows:
15:00 | Doors open for Best in Show ticket holders
16:15 | Special Musical Performance
16:30 | Flyball – Semi-Finals and Final
16:50 | Special Musical Performance
17:00 | Agility – Championship – Small/Medium – Agility Final
17:40 | The Kennel Club Hero Dog Award
17:50 | Young Kennel Club Stakes Final and Presentation
18:00 | Group Judging (Gundog) and Presentation
19:50 | Special Musical Performance
20:00 | West Midlands Police Dog Display
20:20 | Presentation of the Police Dog Team Operational and Humanitarian Action of the Year Award
20:30 | Best in Show and Presentation
How to watch Crufts live from anywhere
Coverage on Channel 4 is geo-blocked outside the UK. A VPN, though, will get you your usual coverage from anywhere in the world.
A Virtual Private Network can alter your device’s digital location, bypassing geo-restrictions and unlocking your equestrian streams wherever you happen to be. VPNs also work wonders for your internet security, encrypting your information to keep you safe online.
There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, which offers a 100% risk-free money back guarantee. If you’re not happy with the service any time within the first 30-days, then you can cancel with no penalties at all.
Other common breeds that are not most frequent in their group include Cocker Spaniels (409), Flat Coated Retrievers (330) and Shetland Sheepdogs (265).
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