Entries now open for the return of top agility festival and Crufts qualifiers

The Crufts Large ABC, Intermediate ABC, and Medium ABC qualifiers are taking place for the second time at the festival. Open to Grades 1–7, courses will be set at Grade 5 level. The top two unqualified dogs in each height from each heat will progress to the semi-final at the London International Horse Show at ExCel in December, and then to the final at Crufts 2027. 

The Crufts Singles Agility Competition will see top agility partnerships from across the country compete for a spot in the final at Crufts. Open to Grades 6 and 7, the competition features ten qualifying heats throughout the year, with separate events for each height category - small, medium, intermediate and large. The top-placed unqualified dog from each heat will secure their place in the Crufts Singles Final. 

The Special International Class is open to all overseas dogs that are eligible for FCI Grade 3 classes (or equivalent), and dogs holding a Masters or Championship title in the USA. Only dogs that reside outside the UK are eligible for this class. 

The Crufts Novice Cup qualifier is open for dogs graded 3, 4 and 5. Dogs and handlers who qualify for the semi-final from this qualifier, and qualifiers across the country, will compete in the semi-final at the London International Horse Show, with finalists going on to compete at Crufts 2027. 

The Starters Cup is for all grade 1 and 2 dogs. The top 15 dogs in each height from the semi-final round on Thursday will be invited to compete at the final being held on Friday. 

The Royal Kennel Club Quarter and Semi-Final Agility Stakes are returning to the International Agility Festival on Thursday, which is one of the most important showcase events for agility in the UK, with the finals taking place at the London International Horse Show. Each year, the country's most talented agility dogs and handlers compete in qualifying heats at agility shows across the country to gain a coveted invitation to compete at the Royal Kennel Club Agility Stakes Quarter and Semi-Finals. 

The Agility Team GB International Qualifier will take place at the festival for the first time on Sunday. Open to Royal Kennel Club registered dogs graded 3–7, this class forms part of the official qualification pathway for the Agility Team GB selection process for the 2027 European Open and Agility World Championships. Dogs will compete in their FCI jump height category, with each height run as a separate class. The competition consists of both a Jumping round and an Agility round, judged under FCI rules, with cumulative scoring determining the final placings. To progress within the qualification process, partnerships must compete at a minimum of two International Qualifier events during the qualification period and achieve either a class win, a top two overall placement, or meet additional selection criteria set by Agility Team GB.  

The Young Royal Kennel Club (YRKC) Crufts 2027 qualifying heats are also returning to the festival, with the heats being open to YRKC members only, aged between 6 and 24 years. The IAF YRKC Classes include the YRKC Pairs, the YRKC Agility Dog of the Year, and the YRKC Jumping Cup. To find out rules for each individual class please visit https://www.royalkennelclub.com/YKCCompetinginagility.