Crufts - Season 16

First aired: 3/5/2026 9 episodes

Episodes

1. 2026 Day 1 - Part 1

Aired: 3/5/2026

Claudia Winkleman joins the team as Clare Balding presents live coverage of Crufts 2026 from the National Exhibition Centre. The action gets off to a flying start with all the thrills and speed of Flyball, as reporter Radzi Chinyanganya and commentators Jim Rosenthal and Graham Partridge call the live heats. Plus: Claudia Winkleman gives her first impressions of the world's greatest dog show, and special guest Ellie Simmonds returns to her home patch in Birmingham for canine chat.

2. 2026 Day 1 - Part 2

Aired: 3/5/2026

Clare Balding presents more live coverage from the 122nd edition of Crufts from the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, including the first Agility final in the Main Arena, and the Heelwork to Music competition. Plus, all the news from the NEC's halls. Ellie Simmonds selects her breed of the day, and resident vet Dr Paul Manktelow answers questions about best practices for dog lovers.

3. 2026 Day 1 - Part 3

Aired: 3/5/2026

Clare Balding presents all the live action as Crufts 2026 gets into full swing. And Claudia Winkleman hustles the bustle of the Birmingham NEC halls for the best features at the world's greatest dog show. The Working Group is the first to be judged, with the winner going through to Sunday's prestigious Best in Show final. This group includes guard dogs, and search and rescue breeds like Dobermanns, Rottweilers and Newfoundlands. Then it's time for the Pastoral Group to take centre stage. Australian shepherds have been the most successful breed in this group in recent years. And if that wasn't enough excitement, athleticism and speed are the order of the day in the Agility and Flyball competitions, with commentary from Jim Rosenthal and Graham Partridge.

4. 2026 Day 2 - Part 1

Aired: 3/6/2026

Claudia Winkleman joins Clare Balding for more live coverage from the National Exhibition Centre, as dog owners from across the globe descend on Birmingham. This year, the Flyball is wide open with the reigning Belgian champions Road Runners Beep Beep not competing. Jim Rosenthal and Graham Partridge commentate on today's heats, while Radzi Chinyanganya captures all the emotion from the Main Arena. Plus: the latest from the NEC halls with Claudia Winkleman.

5. 2026 Day 2 - Part 2

Aired: 3/6/2026

Clare Balding is joined by Claudia Winkleman for further live coverage from the National Exhibition Centre. Featuring a special event for vulnerable breeds, the terrier and hound events, and the Freestyle Heelwork to Music competition. Plus, Jim Rosenthal and Graham Partridge as canine athletes of all shapes and sizes climb, weave and jump over obstacles at top speed on the Agility course. Ellie Simmonds explores dog behaviour, and vet Dr Paul Manktelow takes viewers' questions.

6. 2026 Day 3 - Part 1

Aired: 3/7/2026

Radzi Chinyanganya and Clare Balding present all the action with live coverage from the NEC in Birmingham. Claudia Winkleman is roving the halls to cover all the hot topics in the dog world. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Butler joins Jim Rosenthal and Graham Partridge in the commentary box to add insight to the skills on show in the Large Agility competition.

7. 2026 Day 3 - Part 2

Aired: 3/7/2026

Claudia Winkleman joins Clare Balding on a star-studded Saturday night at the world's greatest dog show, in Birmingham. The road to Best in Show continues with judging of both the Utility Group, including schnauzers and poodles, and the pocket rockets of the canine world - the Toy dogs. Ellie Simmonds talks about her Dog of the Day, while Scruffts gives crossbred dogs their chance to shine in categories including Most Handsome, Golden Oldie, and the Good Citizen Dog Scheme. And it wouldn't be Saturday evening without Claudia Winkleman witnessing some top-class dancing. It's not strictly ballroom, but the Heelwork to Music dogs and owners will be strutting their stuff in the International Freestyle competition.

8. 2026 Day 4 - Part 1

Aired: 3/8/2026

Claudia Winkleman joins our host Clare Balding at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on the final day of action at the world's greatest dog show. This afternoon's programme features the semi-finals and final of the Flyball competition, which is wide open because the reigning champions are absent. The Intermediate and Large dogs tackle the obstacles on the Agility course, as excitement builds towards the climax of Crufts 2026.

9. 2026 Day 4 - Part 2 | Best in Show

Aired: 3/8/2026

Clare Balding and Claudia Winkleman introduce the grand finale of this year's dog show, as the Best in Show winner is declared. Plus, the judging of the Gundog Group, the Hero Dogs of 2026, and the presenting team select the breeds that look most like them.