Speed, Skill And Spirit: Over 450 Dogs Set To Compete At The 2026 AKC Agility League National Championship

The American Kennel Club (AKC®), a not-for-profit organization that is the world’s largest registry of purebred and mixed-breed dogs, and a leading voice for canine welfare and responsible ownership, is excited to announce the annual AKC Agility League™ Championship, taking place November 6th through November 8th, 2026, at the James Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh, North Carolina. The event is open to the public to attend!

With entries closing on October 15th, the AKC Agility League Championship has 15% more entries than last year, with more than 100 teams competing from around the country, including Alaska, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. The jam-packed weekend will feature competition at every League level: Elementary (pre-Novice), Freshman (Novice), Sophomore (Open), Senior (Masters), and PhD (ISC), and top teams and individual dogs will be crowned in each division.

“With nearly 500 dogs competing at this year’s Agility League Championship, we have more participants than any year previously!” says Penny Leigh, Director of the AKC Agility League. “We are so excited for the opportunity to bring together athletes and teams from across the country for this high-energy weekend.”

This year, the AKC Agility League Championship will be held in conjunction with three days of AKC Fetch Tests, which are open to all eligible dogs. Fetch tests for all levels, from Novice through Retriever, will be offered, giving dogs an opportunity to earn multiple Fetch titles.

The AKC Agility League brings a team-based approach to dog agility, allowing dogs and handlers of all skill levels to compete locally against teams nationwide. Combining speed, precision, and teamwork, the League fosters friendly competition and sportsmanship, culminating in an annual National Championship where top teams compete for national honors. For more information on this year’s championship or on the AKC Agility League, click here.

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Posted by Liz on Oct 30 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.