What the Youth Livestock Show Is
The Youth Livestock Show is the centerpiece of Youth Week at the Arizona State Fair. Young exhibitors, billed as Arizona's future agricultural leaders, show pigs, goats, sheep and cattle in the Ag Center and Cattle Barn and compete for the Grand Champion title, with a Market Turkey show alongside. The most recent edition ran October 8 to 11, 2026 on the State Fairgrounds, 1826 West McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85007.
Classes
| Species | Classes |
|---|---|
| Beef cattle | Beef cattle competition |
| Dairy cattle | Dairy cattle competition |
| Dairy goat | Seven breeds |
| Meat goat | Meat goat competition |
| Sheep | Market lambs, registered sheep, commercial ewes, feeder lambs |
| Swine | Market barrows, breeding gilts, prospect and feeder pigs |
| Market turkeys | Youth Livestock Show, Oct 8-11 |
| Livestock judging | Youth judge multiple species |
Who Can Enter
Youth rules apply to ages 8 to 18, and 4-H, FFA and other organized Arizona youth may participate. The fair's competitive-entry guide says youth from programs such as 4-H and FFA compete alongside open-class exhibitors in the fair's livestock division.
How to Enter
- Open the 2026 Youth Livestock Rules, General Rules and Health Rules from the fair's livestock page.
- Submit your entry online through the link in the department rulebook. Enter separately for each competition.
- Agree to the rules, provide the required paperwork and payment before the entry deadline, and sign the Exhibitor Entry Signature Release Form.
- Wait for approval: an entry is not valid until the fair office receives it and staff approve it.
Entry fees and the specific deadline are in the rulebooks, so read them early.
The Fair Around It
Youth Week sits inside a fair that ran Thursdays through Sundays from October 1 to November 1, 2026. The calendar before it included the Rabbit, Cavy and Poultry shows (October 1-4) and the Sale of Champions livestock auction on October 3 at 6 p.m. in the Ag Center. After it came the Sheep Show (October 15-18), the Meat Goat Show (October 22-25) and the Dairy Goat Show (October 29 to November 1). The Arizona Ag Display in the Cattle Barn is open all day Thursday through Sunday.
For Spectators
Spectators are invited to cheer on the exhibitors in the ring. The fair is open Thursday through Sunday.
Questions
What do winners get?
Exhibitors compete for the Grand Champion title. Prize amounts are in the rulebooks.
Is next year's date set?
Not yet announced; the most recent edition was October 8 to 11, 2026.
Who do I call?
The fair livestock office: 602-257-7130.
Official Links
- Youth Livestock Show - Youth Week
- 2026 Livestock Entry Categories: schedule and rulebooks
- Guide to Competitive Entries
Arizona County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Arizona youth shows run through county Extension offices, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters, and each show publishes its own rules. Dates run from January roundups to the State Fair in October.
Examples
The Arizona 4-H Stock Show and Roundup is set for January 30 and 31, 2027 in Tucson, with registration closing January 15. The Yavapai County Fair ran September 10 to 13, 2026 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The Arizona State Fair ran October 1 to November 1, 2026, with its Sale of Champions on October 3.
Who can show
The State Fair says youth competitions are for ages 8 to 18. The Roundup uses Junior (8 to 10), Intermediate (11 to 13) and Senior (14 to 18) divisions.
Rules to check
Pima County asks members to complete Arizona Youth Livestock Quality Assurance training and ties each animal to an ownership deadline, a tag and a weigh-in. Weights, tagging and sale rules differ by show.
Next steps
Ask your county Extension office for the premium book and entry dates before you buy an animal.
Read the full guide: Arizona County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Arizona National Livestock Show
Billed as the largest livestock show in the Southwest, it draws youth exhibitors with about 2,500 cattle, horses, sheep, goats and swine; 2026 runs December 27-31.
- 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
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.