If you want to know how to watch Crufts this year, keep reading. We’ve put together a full guide on how to watch the biggest event for dog lovers right here.
From March 6–9th, over 18,000 doggos compete for the prestigious Crufts 2025 Best in Show title. This event will include competitions in Flyball, Agility, and even Freestyle Heelwork to Music (this one we can't wait to see}. Also there to give expert opinions and demonstrations will be, The Good Citizen Dog Scheme Training Ring, the UK's largest dog training program.
But this event isn't just about the competition, there will also be more than 500 trade stands offering everything from the best dog treats to the best dog brushes for owners to shop.
Now, let's find out how you can watch Crufts live streams and TV broadcasts, wherever you are in the world.
How to watch Crufts 2025 online for free
Watch Crufts on Channel 4 in the UK
You can watch live coverage of Crufts from the comfort of your home. In the UK, free-to-air broadcasters Channel 4 and More 4 will be airing all the canine action live. You can check out the official schedule below.
Presented by Clare Balding and featuring interviews and features as well as the live action, 4's coverage is the most in-depth you'll find for Crufts. You can watch on linear freeview TV or online via Channel 4's free streaming platform.
Not in the UK right now? A VPN will allow you to access your usual Channel 4 coverage from anywhere...
How to use a VPN to watch Crufts from anywhere
A Virtual Private Network is a piece of internet security software that can alter your device's location, allowing you to bypass broadcaster geo-restrictions and unblock your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It can also improve playback speeds and keeps you safe online.
Using a VPN is super easy...
1. Purchase and install the VPN of your choice – NordVPN is the one our colleagues at TechRadar recommend.
2. Select the location of the streaming service you wish to access, eg UK.
3. Head over to your chosen viewing site and enjoy as normal.
Watch Crufts on YouTube
If you’re after traditional TV coverage with commentary, analysis, and interviews, then catching the action on Channel 4 is probably your best bet, but if you want to watch wall-to-wall action from the floor then Crufts' YouTube channel has the most comprehensive coverage.
If you are watching on YouTube and want to dodge the adverts, then you can also consider picking up YouTube Premium for £11.99 per month.
Crufts 2025 schedule
How to watch Crufts 2025: Thursday
Crufts is kicking off the competition with Terrier breeds and Hound breeds.
How to watch Crufts 2025: Friday
Day 2 will feature the Freestyle Heelwork to Music, Agility Singles Final, Vulnerable Breeds Final as well as the group judging for Utility and Toy breeds.
How to watch Crufts 2025: Saturday
If you want to know the reasons gundogs are so popular, you'll want to watch Day 3. This day will include the Gundog Judging as well the Southern Golden Retrievers Display, and the Scruffts Finals.
How to watch Crufts 2025: Sunday
Day 4 features judging of the Working and Pastoral breeds. This is also the day of the most-anticipated event, the crowning of the Crufts Best in Show winner!
What is Crufts?
Organized by the Kennel Club, Crufts is the premier celebration of all things doggy. Crufts has an impressive pedigree (we couldn’t resist the pun) with the first show being held back in 1891. Now, 134 years later, the show is going strong with this year’s event promising to be a massive event with over 18,000 competitors and hundreds of thousands of guests attending the show.
You can check on the Crufts website for a complete list of which dog breeds fit into which categories.
Dogs compete in a variety of obedience and agility competitions including Flyball and Heelwork to music, along with breed judging contests which are essentially pooch beauty contests to find the most perfect examples of each breed.
Alongside the competitions, there are The Kennel Club Hero Dog Awards which celebrate and recognize heroic dogs and heartwarming stories of how dogs enrich the lives of their owners and the people around them.
There are five finalists up for The Kennel Club Hero Dog award this year - you can read each of their stories at the Crufts website, where you can also cast your vote. The winner and all finalists will receive donations to a doggy charity of their choice.
There is also Scruffts, a competition for crossbreed dogs with a focus on fun, family, and responsible dog ownership. This event judges the character, health, personality, and temperament of entrants.
Finally, there is the Discover Dogs area at Crufts which lets attendees meet and interact with over 200 breeds of dog. This is perfect for people who are thinking of getting a dog and want to know more about the breed. You can get expert advice on grooming, feeding, and training to help make sure you and your new dog get off on the right paw.
Want to know more about the world’s greatest dog show? Here are our favorite Crufts facts along with some tips for visiting Crufts
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
