Temecula's Galway Downs Hosting 2026 AKC National Agility Championship

TEMECULA, CA — At Galway Downs in Temecula Wine Country, horse shows are the norm, but this weekend the 242-acre venue is going to the dogs.

The 2026 AKC National Agility Championship takes place March 20-22, and spectators are welcome. Competition is scheduled 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both Friday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Agility competitions feature dogs navigating complex, fast-paced courses featuring jumps, tunnels, weave poles, and contact obstacles like A-frames — while racing against the clock.

All dog breeds can compete in agility. Each dog covers the same course, but jump heights are adjusted to make the competition fair across all pooch sizes.

This weekend, expect plenty of Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Australian Shepherds, but don't rule out little breeds like Papillons and Pembroke Welsh Corgis or larger athletic dogs such as Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Vizslas.

The AKC National Agility Championship showcases the most elite canine athletes in high-intensity competition. The championship is the ultimate communication test between dog and handler.

For those who want to come watch the championship, there is a $5 entrance fee. Click here to see a map to the spectator entrance and parking lot. Galway Downs is located at 38801 Los Corralitos Road.

Prefer to stay out of the heat? Live coverage of the championshop is scheduled on AKC.TV. While previous championships have aired on ESPN2, it's unclear whether the outlet will carry this year's competition.

If you’re unfamiliar with the sport of agility, you can learn more about the history as well as how competitions work.