How to Watch the 2025 AKC Agility Premier Cup

Some of the fastest dogs were invited to jump, weave, and balance against the clock at the 2025 AKC Agility Premier Cup, which will premiere on Saturday, July 5 on ESPN2. The 6th annual AKC Agility Premier Cup took place on May 2 in Georgia as part of the AKC and ESPN Salute the Troops event. Now, spectators have a chance to witness all the of the action. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the country—plus, it’s a lot of fun to watch, even on TV.

“Agility is such a thrilling event, and these dogs did not disappoint,” said AKC President and CEO, Gina DiNardo. “Viewers at home will be able to feel the excitement!”

David Woo

How to Watch the AKC Agility Dog Premier Cup

You can watch the AKC Agility Premier Cup on Saturday, July 5 at 3:30pm ET by tuning in to ESPN2 on your TV or signing in on any device.

How Does Agility Work?

Agility requires athleticism, concentration, training, and, most of all, teamwork for the dog-human team. The handler directs the dog through a predetermined pattern of obstacles, including jumps, tunnels, and weave poles, while racing against the clock. They must complete the course as perfectly as possible within a specific amount of time—meaning no skips or misses on obstacles.

Agility is a timed and a fault sport, meaning teams gain or lose points based on several criteria. Each team starts out with 100 points. Points are deducted for every penalty: for example taking an obstacle out of sequence, displacing a panel on a jump, or leaving the pause table too soon. Teams also lose points if they exceed the time set for running the course. But you don’t have to memorize all of the rules to enjoy watching the fast-paced sport.