What the Arizona National Livestock Show Is
The Arizona National Livestock Show is billed as the largest livestock show in the Southwest. It has been held in Phoenix since 1948 and centers on youth and agriculture, with nearly 2,500 head of cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine competing for Grand Champion honors. Exhibitors travel in from many states, and premium awards to junior and open exhibitors total more than $200,000 each year. The 2026 show runs December 27 to 31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds, 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85007, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Ways to Compete
| Division | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Junior market shows | Market steers, market lambs and wethers, market goats and market barrows |
| Junior breeding shows | Junior heifers, prospect cattle, breeding ewes, wether does and breeding gilts |
| Open cattle | Open cattle classes, plus Best Arizona |
| Showmanship | Beef (market steer, junior heifer, prospect), sheep (market wether, breeding ewe), goat (market goat, wether doe), swine (market barrow, breeding gilt) |
| Livestock Judging Classic | Ranking classes of cattle, sheep, swine and goats and giving oral reasons; a junior contest for 4-H and FFA teams |
Junior exhibitors are automatically entered in showmanship. Judges score attitude, appearance of exhibitor and animal, correct technique, skill and knowledge.
Cattlemen's Day
The show also includes Cattlemen's Day, with a Ranch Rodeo, a Ranch Replacement Heifer Show, a Commercial Bull Sale and Cattledog trials that run a couple of days.
Entering and Rules
Entries are made online through the show's Show Entry Portal, and the Premium Book holds eligibility, age divisions, contest schedules, general rules, fees and health requirements. Recent published rule points to know:
- Entries for Junior Heifer, Open Cattle, Prospect Cattle and Best Arizona have closed on November 1 in recent years, so check the current Premium Book for the 2026 deadline.
- Cattle need an EID (electronic identification) tag.
- Prospect cattle have a 999 pound maximum weight.
- Dorper sheep are accepted in the Junior Market Lamb and Junior Breeding Ewe shows.
- Paint is not allowed on market barrows or breeding gilts, and the show has held a Swine Fitting Clinic and Contest.
- Cable halters are not allowed in the ring. Exhibitors may not build their own pens on the grounds.
- Dogs are not allowed on show grounds. Scooters, bikes, hoverboards and skateboards are also banned.
- Does shown in junior goat classes may not have kidded and may have no more than yearling teeth.
- Blocking chutes carry a $50 fee each. Outside fitting space costs $150 per 10 by 10 foot space after the first space, which is free.
- Classifiers' decisions are final.
Livestock Judging Classic
The junior judging contest is run as a recruiting event: livestock judging coaches from colleges serve as officials and hear oral reasons, so contestants can meet them. Contestants are scored on ranking accuracy and on how well they defend their placings. The animals are judged on conformation, muscle, structural soundness and breed standards.
Questions
Is the show only for youth?
No. Premium awards go to both junior and open exhibitors, and the show includes open cattle classes.
Where do I get the rules?
In the Premium Book on the show's website, and through the online entry portal.
Who do I call?
The Arizona National office: 602-258-8568.
Official Links
- Arizona National Livestock Show: overview
- Showmanship contest and divisions
- Livestock Judging Classic
- 2024 Summary of Rule Changes
- 2025 rule changes
- 2026 dates and hours
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Arizona National Livestock Show Livestock Judging Classic
Livestock judging contest where entrants rank cattle, sheep, swine and goats and give oral reasons; the junior division for 4-H and FFA runs during the Phoenix livestock show.
Phoenix, AZ | Organizer: Arizona National Livestock Show Official event details - Arizona FFA Pinnacle Senior Conference
Senior leadership conference for Arizona FFA members, scheduled January 22-23, 2027 at Peoria High School alongside a mini leadership camp.
Peoria, AZ | Organizer: Arizona FFA Official event details - Maricopa County Fair
Maricopa County's fair is set for April 2-11, 2027 at the Phoenix fairgrounds, open Thursday through Sunday with 4-H and FFA livestock, exhibits and rides.
- Cave Creek Rodeo Days
Western-town rodeo festival at Cave Creek Memorial Arena; the 2026 run was March 26-29, and Rodeo Days is held each spring.
37201 N 28th St, Cave Creek, AZ 85331 | Organizer: Cave Creek Rodeo Days Official event details - Legends of the West Pro Rodeo
Two-day pro rodeo at the Everett Bowman Rodeo Arena in Wickenburg; the 2026 dates were April 3-4 and the rodeo repeats annually.
935 Constellation Rd, Wickenburg, AZ 85390 | Organizer: Legends of the West Pro Rodeo Official event details
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.