The Westminster Kennel Club Announces Dates, Venues, and Judging Panel for Its Milestone 150th Anniversary

David Fitzpatrick to name Best in Show on February 3, 2026 at Madison Square Garden

Tickets On Sale Now!

NEW YORK, May 20, 2025 — Today, The Westminster Kennel Club announced details for the highly-anticipated milestone 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan. Judging for the historic sesquicentennial event will be held on the evenings of February 2-3 at Madison Square Garden, with breed competitions taking place earlier in the day at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. The agility competition will electrify the Javits Center on January 31. The Best in Show champion will be crowned at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the original home of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, on February 3 and will be judged by Westminster Best in Show-winning breeder-owner-handler David Fitzpatrick. Tickets for all events at both Madison Square Garden and the Javits Center are on sale now through westminsterkennelclub.org.

“The 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is going to be an incredible celebration not only of the world’s top canines, but also of the rich role this iconic event has played in world history along the way,” said Dr. Donald Sturz, President of The Westminster Kennel Club. “No matter what was happening in society, even amid challenging times, the world’s greatest dog show always persevered. This year’s event will celebrate and pay tribute to the universal love of dogs and the many generations who have shaped what the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is today.”

Tickets on sale now for all events January 31 and February 2-3, 2026 in New York City at westminsterkennelclub.org

The 150th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show judging panel represents a variety of excellence in the sport, featuring world-class breeders, leading handlers, and historic winners from all over the globe.

Two-time Best in Show-winning Pekingese breeder-owner-handler David Fitzpatrick of East Berlin, PA will serve as Best in Show judge in this milestone year. He won Best in Show in 2012 with Malachy, and again in 2021 with Wasabi. Over the years, several of his dogs have also won multiple groups and Reserve Best in Show at Westminster.

Seven highly respected group judges will make their selections over two nights at Madison Square Garden, with their winning dogs advancing to the Best in Show competition.

NIGHT 1

• Michael Canalizo of Mill Neck, NY will judge the Hound Group.
• Charlotte Patterson of Destin, FL will judge the Toy Group.
• Eugene Blake of Tulsa, OK will judge the Non-Sporting Group.
• Sheree Moses Combs of Wardensville, WV will judge the Herding Group.

NIGHT 2

• Douglas Johnson of Bloomington, IN will judge the Sporting Group.
• Sioux Forsyth-Green of Pinehurst, NC will judge the Working Group.
• Polly Smith of St. Stephens Church, VA will judge the Terrier Group.

The finals for the 92nd Annual Junior Showmanship competition at Westminster, which highlights and supports the dedicated youth in the sport of dogs, will be held on Tuesday, February 3 at Madison Square Garden. The Junior Showmanship Finals judge Michael Faulkner of Center Cross, VA will name the Best Junior Handler. The eight junior showmanship finalists will be determined in preliminary rounds by judges Jason Hoke of Madison, WI, and Valerie Nunez-Atkinson of Temecula, CA.

For the complete judging panel, please visit westminsterkennelclub.org/judges.

The epic three-day, three-night competitive event will feature over 3,000 champion dogs from around the world, culminating in the coveted Best in Show award. Westminster’s “Canine Celebration” will kick off Westminster Week on Saturday, January 31, at the Javits Center and feature a variety of showstopping activities, including last year’s hugely popular Flyball Tournament at Westminster and the 13th Annual Masters Agility Championship presented by Purina Pro Plan.

Tickets for all events at both venues are on sale now and are available through westminsterkennelclub.org. For Javits group sales and ADA-accessible/companion information, please email: tickets@westminsterkennelclub.org. For Madison Square Garden, accessible seating may be secured through Ticketmaster or by contacting the Accessibility Services Department at accessibilityservices@msg.com or 888-609-7599.

Additional event information, including partner hotel listings, FOX Sports broadcast and streaming schedules, and more, will be available at westminsterkennelclub.org. Be sure to follow The Westminster Kennel Club on social media to keep up on event news and special announcements. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.® Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.