Where is the National Dog Show Held, and Can You Attend in Person?

Every Thanksgiving, millions of Americans settle in after the Macy’s parade and before the football kickoff to watch one of the country’s most cherished canine traditions — the National Dog Show.

But while the two-hour NBC broadcast has become a staple of holiday programming, far fewer viewers know where the event actually unfolds.

The answer lies just outside Philadelphia, in a venue that has quietly become the beating heart of this beloved competition.

Where Is the National Dog Show Held?

The National Dog Show is held each year at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, Pennsylvania, a vast exhibition space that has served as the show’s home for years. It is here that roughly 2,000 purebred dogs, representing 201 breeds, take over the halls each November in one of the nation’s largest benched shows.

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A benched show requires dogs to remain at designated stations throughout the day, making them accessible to the public between judging rounds. It is a format that demands more time, space, and organisation than typical dog events, and the Oaks venue has become uniquely suited to the task. Spectators can walk the aisles, meet the competitors, and see up close how handlers prepare for the spotlight — a rare level of access in modern dog shows.

A Heritage Dating Back to 1879

While the TV audience may see only a polished two-hour recap, the National Dog Show carries a long and distinguished history. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, one of the founding members of the American Kennel Club, first organised dog shows in 1879. Those early exhibitions were inspired by the 1876 United States Centennial Exhibition, which introduced the concept of a formal “Exposition of Dogs” to American audiences.

The show ran annually until 1927, paused briefly, and resumed in 1933. It has been held every year since, surviving wars, recessions, and shifts in the dog-showing world. Today, it stands as one of only three major all-breed dog shows in the United States, alongside Westminster and the AKC National Championship, giving it a place of rare prestige.

Although the show itself has existed for more than a century, it did not enter the mainstream holiday lineup until 2002, when NBC Sports made a bold programming decision. Looking to replace a lacklustre film that traditionally aired after the Macy’s parade, executives opted to televise the dog show instead.

The result was an instant holiday hit. NBC now condenses hours of live competition into a fast-paced, family-friendly two-hour broadcast that airs at noon in every U.S. time zone except Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For many households, it has become as synonymous with Thanksgiving as turkey and pumpkin pie.

What Actually Happens Inside the Expo Center?

The real competition in Oaks unfolds over two days in mid to late November (so it’s too late this year). Around 2,000 dogs arrive to be judged strictly against their American Kennel Club breed standards. The judging follows a multi-stage progression, beginning with breed-level contests before advancing to the seven group categories and ultimately the coveted Best in Show finale.

Handlers spend hours grooming, training, and preparing their dogs for the spotlight, while spectators stroll through the benching aisles to meet breeds they may rarely encounter in everyday life. The eventual Best in Show winner earns prestige, recognition, and a $2,000 cash prize, though the honour itself tends to outweigh the monetary award.

Why the Oaks Venue Remains the Perfect Fit

The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center is more than a convenient backdrop — it was carefully chosen to accommodate the unique demands of a traditional benched show. The venue offers extensive exhibition halls, climate control, spacious ring setups, and the logistical capacity to support thousands of handlers, dogs, judges, and spectators.

Its location also keeps the show tied to its roots. The Kennel Club of Philadelphia has operated in the region for more than 140 years, making Oaks a natural home for an event steeped in local history.

Considering a Visit?

For those who want to see the event in person, the show typically takes place on the third-from-last weekend of November. The benched format makes it especially appealing, as visitors can interact with breeds throughout the day and enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at the world of competitive dog showing.

Of course, millions of others prefer to enjoy the tradition from home. NBC’s annual broadcast remains one of the most-watched Thanksgiving programs, delivering a compact, celebratory look at the diversity and elegance of purebred dogs.