Westminster 2022: The Return to Madison Square Garden

UPDATE:

On Deceember 29, 2021 the Westminster Kennel Club released a statement stating they will be postponing the show until later this year due to the ongoing pandemic. Read the full announcement here.

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Dog fanatics who annually watch the historic Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show know the 2021 show featured some major event changes. Moving the show to the Lyndhurst Estate in Tarrytown, New York marked the first time Westminster was held outdoors and not in the heart of New York City. The regular February date was bumped to June. And due to Covid, spectators were not allowed; attendance was limited to show personnel and exhibitors only, which meant the show also did not feature the usual benching area where spectators can meet and greet (and pet) the canine competitors backstage.

For the upcoming show—the 146th annual—the WKC team is heading back to Madison Square Garden for the evening events, and Pier 36 will be used for all of the daytime events throughout Westminster week. Of note, this will be first time in Westminster history that the event is being held in January. Mark your calendars: the show takes place January 22 – 26, 2022.

Westminster week will kick off with the Masters Agility Championship being held at Pier 36 on Saturday, January 22. Daily breed judging, Junior Showmanship preliminary rounds, and the Masters Obedience Championship will be held during the day at Pier 36 Monday through Wednesday, January 24 – 26. The evening events at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday and Wednesday will include the Junior Showmanship finals, judging of the seven groups, and Best in Show.

Like the year before, the 2022 show will be unbenched, though “we are excited to invite spectators back for the evening group judging and Best in Show at Madison Square Garden,” says Gail Miller Bisher, Director of Communications for The Westminster Kennel Club. (Pier 36 events will be limited to essential show personnel.)

The WKC team is currently anticipating that nearly 3,000 champion dogs (and their humans) will be travelling to New York City to compete in the conformation, agility, obedience, and junior showmanship events.

“There will not be any new breeds joining us this year, but both the Russian Toy and Mudi will be eligible to compete in the 2023 show. For 2022, we want to encourage our fans to learn about some of the rare breeds that will be at the show like the Skye Terrier and Sussex Spaniel,” notes Miller Bisher.

Planning to watch from home and root for your favourite breeds? Select daytime Breed Judging will be telecast live on FS2 while pre-show coverage and evening Group Judging and Best in Show will be telecast live on FS1. More updates will be available at westminsterkennelclub.org and on the WKC App.