Westminster is the second-oldest continuously held sporting event in America, and the daytime benching area at Javits lets you meet hundreds of breeds and their handlers up close. The Masters Agility finals are genuinely thrilling even for casual fans. And there is nothing in NYC quite like the roar at the Garden when Best in Show is announced.
What to expect
Daytime sessions at Javits are relaxed and browsable — rings of breed judging running in parallel, grooming stations, and the backstage benching area open to ticket holders. Evening sessions at MSG are a full arena spectacle with seven group competitions building to Tuesday night's Best in Show around 11pm.
Good to know
- Javits (daytime) and MSG (evening) tickets are separate — one does not admit you to the other
- The Saturday Masters Agility Finals evening session has sold out in past years; book early
- Daytime Javits doors open 7am Saturday, 8:30am Mon-Tue
- Best in Show is crowned late Tuesday night, typically close to 11pm
- This edition is slated to stream on Netflix — expect extra buzz and crowds
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Common questions
Can I pet the dogs?
Often yes — the benching area at Javits is where dogs are groomed and staged, and many handlers welcome polite visitors when their dog isn't about to compete. Always ask first.
Which ticket should I buy if I only go once?
The Tuesday evening MSG session includes group judging and Best in Show — it's the marquee night. For a cheaper, more hands-on day, daytime Javits breed judging is the better value.
