The Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) addresses frequently asked questions posed by exhibitors regarding their upcoming dog show in 2023.
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The Westminster Kennel Club addresses frequently asked questions posed by exhibitors regarding their upcoming dog show in 2023.
The 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan,® including the 10th Anniversary Masters Agility Championship and 8th Annual Masters Obedience Championship, will be held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Flushing, NY.
For the Westminster Week schedule, click here.
The 2023 Judging Panel can be seen here.
To receive an invitation to the 2023 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, your dog must be a Champion and ranked in the Top 5 in each eligible breed or variety, or be a National Specialty BOB Winner, or have attained the necessary Junior Qualifier wins, or have attained the necessary Obedience Rankings as recorded by the AKC during the qualifying period from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022.
The WKC qualifying period is not based on a calendar year, as is the Canine Chronicle’s ranking system. Please visit infodog.com to see the Top 5 rankings during the Westminster qualifying period to see if your dog will receive an invitation.
Yes, as referenced on page 20 of the Premium List, “Dogs must have qualified for their AKC championship to be eligible to enter before submitting their entry.” See additional details in the Premium List.
Exhibitors MUST unload into large grooming tents at the Tennis Center prior to parking. The Tennis Center will be open on Sunday, May 7th, from 3 pm -11 pm for multi-day and Monday exhibitors to unload and set up. The venue will re-open by 6 am on Monday and Tuesday for the respective days of judging.
Tuesday exhibitors desiring to unload in advance of judging may be able to do so Monday evening from 8 pm -11 pm. The grooming tent/unloading/loading operation will be managed by Site Control personnel.
Agility and Obedience exhibitors will not have access to the venue on Friday, May 5th. The venue will open by 6 am on Saturday, May 6th.
After unloading at the Tennis Center, Exhibitors may park in designated areas around the Tennis Center.
Conformation exhibitor parking will be located at the nearby Queens Hall of Science parking lots. This lot is just a short walk to the Tennis Center. Overnight parking will not be available.
Shuttle service for the short ride back to the Tennis Center will also be provided.
Agility and Obedience exhibitor parking will be in parking lots in and around the Tennis Center. Valet parking to and from these lots will be available for exhibitors choosing this option.
No, two large tents adjacent to the breed rings and Arthur Ashe Stadium will be the designated grooming area for exhibitors. These tents will have electrical drops for exhibitor use. Personal exhibitor generators will not be permitted.
Agility and obedience exhibitors will be able to crate their dogs in the large tent outside Ashe Stadium.
No, two (2) daytime exhibitor’s tickets for the USTA will be provided for the day your dog is entered and will be sent electronically. Two tickets will also be provided to each exhibitor for nighttime, for the day your breed is judged. Tickets will be on sale for the day and evening judging at the Tennis Center.
Further information for purchasing additional tickets will be forthcoming.
Each Junior Handler will receive three (3) daytime tickets for both Monday and Tuesday. Finalist will receive three (3) tickets for Tuesday night.
Tickets for all events will be available through Ticketmaster and will go on sale at the end of February. Please check our Tickets webpage for the latest information.
Exhibitors who have completed judging may exit the grounds at their discretion.
The Westminster Kennel Club has arranged special rates at these hotels for our 2023 show. Please use the code or link provided on the hotel page listing when booking your reservation.
Shuttle buses for Exhibitors, their dogs, and spectators will run loops from The LaGuardia Marriott, Aloft, The Hampton Inn, and LaGuardia Plaza Hotels to and from the Tennis Center. The policy will be “dogs first.” More details on the shuttle service will be forthcoming.
The full television and streaming schedule will be available soon.
More information is coming soon.
Dogs in the Media
The 151st Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show heads to Netflix in 2027, with live coverage from Madison Square Garden and the Javits Center.
