Crufts Dog Show: Parking, Accessibility & More

Crufts is the Kennel Club’s most famous annual dog show, held in March each year, and the culmination of the pedigree dog world’s showing calendar.

People come to Crufts from all over the world to either compete or to spectate at the event, which is held at Birmingham’s NEC arena. Crufts 2020 takes place from the 5th-8th March.

As you might expect from a large arena/convention centre in one of the UK’s largest cities, getting to the NEC itself isn’t at all difficult. Whether you’re getting a bus, train, or driving, the trip should be simple; you can even fly directly into Birmingham International Airport, which is literally just across the train tracks from the NEC, and Birmingham itself is centrally located in the West Midlands.

However, the NEC arena itself is of course very large, and comprised of many individual sections and halls, and so people tend to ask more questions about getting around at Crufts than they do abut actually getting to Crufts in the first place!

If you’re wondering “is Crufts accessible for disabled people,” “how do you get around Crufts 2020” or if you can take a pram or pushchair to Crufts, this article will tell you all you need to know about getting around at Crufts dog show 2020. Read on to learn more.

Can you take prams and pushchairs into Crufts?

Yes, you can take prams or pushchairs of any type or size to Crufts 2020; the event as a whole is designed to be very child and parent-friendly. That said, you should be sensible about this, and be careful not to obstruct other people or exits, nor to leave folded pushchairs unattended.

Stewards and organisers do reserve the right to refuse admission to arenas and congested areas with prams and pushchairs if they might constitute a hazard.

The NEC also has lots of baby changing facilities and screened areas for feeding.

Is Crufts disability friendly?

The whole of the NEC arena where Crufts is held is fully accessible for people with disabilities, and there are plenty of disabled toilets, as well as undercover disabled parking for blue badge holders – albeit this is chargeable.

Can you hire mobility equipment at Crufts?

The NEC arena itself keeps a fleet of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, which can be hired by visitors to the arena as needed. However, these are offered on a first come, first served basis, and cannot be reserved in advance.

How do you find your way around Crufts?

When you first enter the NEC Arena for Crufts 2020, you’ll be offered a show guide pack (which generally comes in a bag for life sponsored by one of the event’s patrons) which contains all sorts of information to help you orient yourself.

Available will be a map showing where the different stalls and arenas are, a guide to the wider NEC, and a full programme and timetable of events.

The NEC itself is well signed for the different halls and arenas, and there are a large number of stewards and information points throughout the event with people waiting to help you if you get lost or need directions.

What is off limits at Crufts?

Some areas of Crufts are off limits to the public and those not competing, and other than in the case of a fire or emergency, this includes some routes and exits. There are special outdoor areas where competitors can walk dogs and let them do their business, and these aren’t usually open to the public either.

You cannot enter any of the rings/arena floorspace or their staging areas, and may not be granted admission to the arena seating areas other than when directed by stewards.

You can walk the aisles where dogs are kennelled between classes, but should always follow signs and directions regarding where you can and cannot go.

Some events require a separate ticket as well as your admission ticket (like the obedience ring), and so you can’t access the spectator areas there without one.

Are there cloakroom facilities, childcare options, lost and found, and cash points at Crufts?

There is a cloakroom and left luggage facility at the Piazza at the entrance to the NEC arena, which is chargeable.

There are lots of cash machines dotted around inside of the NEC arena itself, but all of them charge for withdrawals; and be advised that towards the end of each day, some of them may be empty!

There are no creche or childcare facilities at Crufts.

There is a meeting point and also a lost and found for property, as well as lost child and adult hub, which any steward or information point can direct you towards.

The NEC and Crufts organisers are connected by a radio network and can quickly pass on information about missing people to other parts of the arena, and will guide or escort you to the best place to head for if you’re trying to find someone.

It is also a good idea to agree with anyone you take to Crufts where you will all meet up if you get separated!