The Kennel Club has announced today that Crufts 2021 will take place next year on the new dates of 15-18 July at the NEC, Birmingham.
Crufts, which will be celebrating its 130th anniversary, was due to take place om 11 014 March 2021, but with much of the UK in a second lockdown and events and exhibitions still not being able to be held it was looking very unlikely that Crufts in March was a foreseeable option.
Following length discussions over the last few months on how it would be possible to hold Crufts next year, it has been agreed to move the show to July when hopefully it is more viable that the show can take place and that the situation with Covid-19 allows for it to happen.
Changes to the show will be implemented to ensure more space is available for exhibitors and visitors.
Vanessa McAlpine, Show Manager said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to look forward to a special summer Crufts Dog Show taking place next year and are thankful to the NEC for being flexible on finding us an alternative date and of course all our sponsors, judges, exhibitors and trade stands for their continued support. The Kennel Club will be working with the dog clubs and societies who already have shows planned for these dates to offer them assistance and other options for their events.
“There is optimism in the events industry as to the likelihood of summer events taking place with the new Crufts dates falling in a fortnight when hopefully some of our great British summer sporting events will also be returning. We know there is going to be many challenges and will need to remain adaptable to how the show will look as our priority is not only to the dogs, but our exhibitors and visitors whose welfare will always be at the forefront.
“We will continue to review the situation over the coming months and will adapt our plans as appropriate, however, we are very excited to be able to plan for ‘Crufts in the summer’ to celebrate our wonderful dogs and to give our dog loving community something to look forward to next year.”
It is hoped that Crufts 2022 will take place as normal on 10-13 March 2022.
For more information on how the 2021 show will look visit www.crufts.org.uk.
