AKC National Championship

Out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 AKC National Championship Presented by Royal Canin will not allow spectators at any of the AKC events held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Attendance will be limited to exhibitors (handlers, handler assistants, and owners), judges, production crew, and event staff.

At the events being held at the Orange County Convention center during AKC National Championship Week, the following safety precautions will be in place:

• AKC will require face coverings at the venue of all persons onsite
• Daily temperature checks for all persons on site are required
• Social distancing will be required and enforced
• Hand-washing and sanitizing stations and signage reminders will be placed at multiple locations throughout the venue
• Event will be closed to the public to allow for proper social distancing
• The AKC is maintaining a “Show & Go” event. Therefore, there will be no ringside seating.
• AKC will extend judging hours to minimize the number of participants onsite
• AKC exhibitors will be encouraged to work from their RV’s and vehicles to minimize the number of people in the grooming area
• AKC will have a “show and go” policy to reduce the number of people in the venue
• Frequent cleaning will be conducted at all high touch point areas

You can also view all of the AKC National Championship COVID-19 protocols that will be in place at the events.

You may read our complete face mask policy for attendees below:

Face masks are necessary to protect yourself and others to prevent the spread of infectious diseases including the COVID-19 virus, according to government sources. All attendees (ages 2 and up) are required to wear a face mask while on the event grounds. The face mask must be worn so that it that covers your mouth and nose. Please bring your own face masks and wear them at all times. The use of a face mask is not a substitute for physical distancing. You may remove the face mask while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing. No eating or drinking will be permitted ringside.

All face masks (whether disposable or reusable) must:

• Be made with at least two or more layers of washable (if not disposable), breathable fabric and not have valves or vents
• If using a disposable mask it should be changed daily and disposed of properly
• Fully cover the nose and mouth
• Fit snuggly against the sides of your face and not have gaps
• Be secured with ties or ear loops and allow the attendee to remain hands-free
• If you are using a face shield you must also wear a face mask

The following are not permitted:

• Neck Gaiters
• Open chin triangle bandanas
• Face masks with valves, vents, mesh material or holes of any kind

To get the most benefits from a face mask:

• Make sure it completely covers your nose and mouth
• Wash your hands before and after removing it. Handle only the loops or ties. Fold outside corners together
• Try not to touch your face when you adjust it throughout the day
• Keep cloth coverings clean by washing daily, or more often if contamination occurs
• Don’t let others wear your face mask
• Keep it away from equipment or machinery that it could get caught in
• If using disposable face masks, do not reuse them, and throw them away in appropriate trash receptacles
• Don’t lay your face mask on any surface that may contaminate either the covering or the
  surface
• Don’t use it if it’s damaged or has holes, unless it is the only face mask you have access to

As important as they are, face masks are only one source of prevention. All attendees will be required to comply with all AKC COVID-19 Attendee Protocols. The AKC COVID-19 Attendee Protocols and this Face Mask Policy are subject to change without notice. Failure to comply with this policy may result in you being asked to leave the event grounds and/or may result in an AKC Event Committee hearing and disciplinary action.

In light of the necessary changes to our event due to the pandemic, we are pleased to offer a viewing solution to enhance your experience of the 20th Anniversary AKC National Championship: daytime conformation breed judging in all rings will be live streamed all day on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, 2020. Our participants and dog show enthusiasts around the world who are unable to travel can now view the entire competition while away from the rings.

Breed judging live streams will be available at www.AKCChampionshipLive.com. This will mark the first time that the judging of every single breed will be viewable online, in real time. In order to provide this level of coverage, there will be a one-time streaming fee of $3 for one day of all-breed judging or $5 for both days.

Fees to watch the breed live streams are purely at cost. One-hundred percent of any net proceeds will be donated equally to the following dog-related charities; Take the Lead to further the care of fellow exhibitors; AKC Humane Fund to support Parent Club breed rescue and domestic violence shelters that permit pets; the AKC Canine Health Foundation to support Parent Club research grants; AKC Reunite to help support AKC Pet Disaster Relief, and the AKC Museum of the Dog.

As always, the AKC National Championship Groups and Best in Show, Best Bred-by Exhibitor and BBE Groups, NOHS Groups and Finals, Puppy & Junior Stakes Groups and Best in Stakes, Junior Showmanship Finals, Agility, Obedience, and Rally will continue to be live streamed for free on AKC.tv and will remain available on demand. Download the AKC.tv mobile app to watch on your phone, stream AKC.tv on your favorite OTT device, or watch on the http://www.AKC.tv website. Find all the available platforms and links to download here.

Stay tuned for the national television broadcast premiere of the AKC National Championship in January!

The premium list and other information specifically for exhibitors will be available here.