It’s that time of the year again – the largest dog show in the Americas is just around the corner! This year, there are 5,762 dogs entered in Conformation, from 50 states and 22 countries. At the 2023 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, dogs will also be competing in Agility, Obedience, the National Owner-Handled Series Finals, Junior competitions, AKC Fast CAT, and Diving Dogs. Across these events, over 9,000 dogs will compete for coveted titles and $150,000 in prize money, the largest amount in the dog show world.
The 2023 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin will be held on December 16 and 17th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Special attractions, along with the AKC Agility Invitational, will be taking place the week of the AKC National Championship as well.
These special attractions include the Best Bred-by-Exhibitor competition, the AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals, and the AKC Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes. The show will once again take place alongside the AKC Agility Invitational and AKC Obedience Classic, with junior events in each sport. Junior events include Junior Showmanship Finals, AKC Juniors Classic, and AKC Junior Agility Competition.
How to Watch 2023 AKC National Championship Week Shows
Livestream on AKC.tv
You can livestream coverage of the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin and all of the special attractions for free, only on AKC.tv.
Our Agility and Obedience events continue Saturday, December 16 and Sunday, December 17, with added livestream coverage of AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin, including Groups and Best in Show, plus Junior Showmanship Finals, AKC NOHS Finals, Best Bred-by-Exhibitor, and Best Miscellaneous. Use the links below to watch each livestream on AKC.tv!
- Watch 2023 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin on AKC.tv, livestreaming December 16 & 17
- Watch the AKC Agility Invitational on AKC.tv, livestreaming December 15, 16, and 17
- Watch the AKC Obedience Classic on AKC.tv, livestreaming December 16 and 17
- Watch the 2023 Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy & Junior Stakes, livestreaming December 15
All of this spectacular livestream coverage will also be available for free on demand after the events conclude.
On the go? Download the AKC.tv mobile app for your smartphone, stream AKC.tv on your favorite device, or stream right from the AKC.tv website. Find all available AKC.tv platforms so you’re ready to watch when our week of competition kicks off!
ABC AKC National Championship Premiere
The moment you’ve been waiting for will air as a three-hour special on ABC on New Year’s Eve! Catch all of the AKC National Championship Conformation coverage that leads to Best in Show on ABC on December 31, 2023. Tune in to ABC with your local provider on December 31 from 2-5p.m. ET to catch all the action, and see the Best in Show winner of the biggest dog show of the year.
If you miss some of the action during the premiere, the special will re-air from 6-9p.m. ET on December 31. You won’t want to miss the moment where the new AKC National Champion is crowned.
ESPN2 Coverage
The 2023 AKC Agility Championship will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Christmas Eve this year! Grab your family and friends and snuggle up to watch the premiere of the AKC Agility Invitational. Tune in Sunday, December 24 from 9-11p.m. ET to catch these speedy dogs in action!
More AKC coverage comes to your screens on New Years, both for AKC National Championship and the AKC Agility Invitational. Re-airs of the AKC National Championship and the AKC Agility Invitational will be airing on ESPN2 on December 31st, 2023. Catch the AKC National Championship Conformation shows from 6-9p.m. ET, followed by the AKC Agility Invitational from 9-11p.m. ET.
The AKC National Championship is right around the corner, and you don’t want to miss the action! Tune in to ABC on December 31 at 2 p.m. ET to see who’s crowned Best in Show.
Did you miss last year’s show? You can watch the 2022 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin on demand on AKC.tv!