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Crufts 2025: Full schedule, opening times and TV coverage

CRUFTS is known as the “greatest dog show on earth” – and for good reason.

More than 20,000 entrants will make their way to Birmingham NEC for four days of preening, pampering and posing – and that’s just the owners.

The standard poodle “Caramarvel agent Carter” looks at their owner before being shown to judges on the first day of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC Photograph by Richard Pohle
You looking at me … standard poodle Caramarvel agent Carter and their owner before being shown to judges on the first day of Crufts at the Birmingham NEC in 2024.

Along with the prize rosettes handed out to the best examples of dozens of breeds and classes there will be plenty of other doggy action – including flyball, agility, heelwork to music, and The Kennel Club Hero Dog award.

Here’s everything we know so far:

How to get tickets

You can purchase standard tickets, which cost from £24 to £29, from the links below:

  • Thursday & Friday – buy here
  • Saturday – buy here
  • Sunday – buy here

How to watch Crufts 2025

Once again highlights of Crufts will be shown on Channel 4 and More 4, including live coverage of the Best in Show trophy being awarded. There will be nearly 20 hours of coverage.

If you are attending the event, it opens at 08.15 in the main arena on Thursday, March 6, with the Agility Crufts Novice Cup (Jumping) competition.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Yunalesca's Mad As A Hatter jumps an obstacle during the agility competition on day two of Crufts fat the National Exhibition centre on March 08, 2024 in Birmingham, England. Over 24,000 dogs from 220 different breeds take part in Crufts 2024 with hundreds of the most agile and athletic dogs competing in different competitions including agility and flyball and, new for this year, Hoopers - a low-impact and inclusive activity for dogs and owners. The event culminates in the Best in Show 2024 trophy, awarded on Sunday night. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Yunalesca’s Mad As A Hatter jumps an obstacle during the agility competition on day two of Crufts last year.

Daily schedules

March 6: Terrier and Hound

  • Morning highlights: Agility Crufts Novice Cup (Jumping) at 8:15am and Heelwork to Music competition at 10:15am.
  • Afternoon highlights: Heelwork to Music Competition winner at 15:50pm.
  • Evening highlights: Group judging (Hound) and Presentation at 19:15pm (programme ends at 20:05pm).

March 7: Utility and Toy

  • Morning highlights: Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling competition at 08:30am and Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition at 11.:55am.
  • Afternoon highlights: Freestyle Heelwork to Music Competition winner at 15:50pm.
  • Evening highlights: Joe Cartledge Memorial International Junior Handling competition Final Judging at 18:15pm (programme ends at 20:15pm).

March 8: Gundog

  • Morning highlights: Good Citizen Dog Training Scheme Display at 10:00am.
  • Afternoon highlights: Young Kennel Club – Agility Dog of the Year Finals at 14:20pm.
  • Evening highlights: Gundog display at 18:25pm and Gamekeepers competition final at 18.45pm (programme ends at 19:50pm).

March 9: Working and Pastoral

  • Morning highlights: Rescue Dog Agility at 09:40am and Heelwork to Music Winner at 10:40am.
  • Afternoon highlights: Kennel Club Hero Dog Award at 17:40pm.
  • Evening highlights: West Midlands Police Dog Display at 20:00pm and – the big one – Best in Show and Presentation at 20:30pm (event ends at 21:00pm).

Please note all the above displays and competitions take place in the main arena.

A handler prepares their Afghan Hound for the show ring on the final day of the Crufts Dog Show at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. Picture date: Sunday March 10, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story ANIMALS Crufts. Photo credit should read: Jacob King/PA Wire
A handler prepares their Afghan Hound for the show ring on the final day of Crufts 2024.

Who will be presenting Crufts 2025?

The coverage will be led by Clare Balding, who will be joined by co-presenter Radzi Chinyanganya.

There will also be two new faces – Paralympic Champion Ellie Simmonds and former professional rugby player Ed Jackson.

Ellie and Ed will take to the halls of the Birmingham National Exhibition Centre presenting features, interviews and all the latest news from the biggest dog show in the world.

How to get there

The NEC is served by the M6 and M42 motorways and there are extensive car parking facilities on site. For the convenience of the public, shuttle buses operate from the carparks to the main entrance. 

For satnav users the NEC postcode is B40 1NT.

Please note that parking charges at the NEC per day (payable on the day) are:

  • Cars – £17.95
  • Minibuses – £21.50
  • Coaches – £29.95

The nearest train station is Birmingham International, just a 10-minute walk from the halls of the NEC. Access to the NEC is via the covered Bridgelink.

Huge shake-up for Crufts 2025

As a result of a backlash from animal cruelty campaigners last year, The Sun revealed that the show will require pugs, bulldogs and French bulldogs to undergo a breathing assessment before being deemed fit to compete this year.

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