Welcome to Day 1 of Crufts 2026

It is wonderful to see the halls buzzing again as we open the doors to four days of celebration, competition and community. There is nothing quite like the atmosphere of Crufts on opening day and it is a pleasure to share it with so many of you.

Crufts continues to evolve and this year we are delighted to unveil Hall 8 as the home of the brand-new Royal Kennel Club Grooming Championships and Crufts Corner. This new space gives us more room to showcase the skills, creativity and passion that sit at the heart of the dog world. I hope you will take the time to explore it and meet some of the talented people bringing these features to life. 

Today also marks the launch of Crufts Club. This is a new way for dog lovers to stay connected with the show throughout the year. It brings the spirit of Crufts to a wider community and offers behind the scenes access, stories and opportunities that extend well beyond these four days. We are looking forward to welcoming our first members and seeing the community grow. 

I would also like to recognise and thank the many teams working across the NEC to make this event run smoothly. Our stewards, judges, operations teams, broadcast partners and support staff all play a vital role in ensuring that Crufts remains a world class experience for everyone who takes part. 

Thank you for being here and for playing your part in this remarkable event. Everything builds towards that special moment on Sunday evening when we discover who will take home Best in Show. Until then, I hope you enjoy every moment. 

Ian Seath, Chairman