National Western Swine Show

What the Junior Market Swine Show Is

The National Western Swine Show is the junior market hog competition at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, shown in the Junior Barn and the CoBank Auction Arena. More than 500 market hogs are shown by exhibitors ages 9 to 18. For the 2027 show, the tentative schedule has swine showmanship on Monday, January 18 at 2:00 p.m. and the junior market swine show on Tuesday, January 19 at 8:00 a.m. The top hogs can sell in the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions on Friday, January 22, where 30 swine are included.

Who Can Enter and Rules

• Ages 9 to 18 as of January 1, 2027. Purebred classes require NJSA or Team Purebred membership.
• Every exhibitor must hold a current Youth PQA or YQCA certification and bring the card.
• Entry is by draw: 480 exhibitors are drawn. Only one entry per participant is allowed in the draw. The 2027 draw is closed.
• Enter up to 10 hogs; bring and show no more than 2. Gilts and barrows are both eligible.
• Weight: 240 to 290 pounds, with a 5 percent weigh-back tolerance
• A single 840 RFID tag is required, and its number must match at entry, on the health papers and at processing. Ear notches must be submitted at entry and match at processing.
• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required before entering the grounds
• Original purebred papers (not copies) are required at processing, in the exhibitor's name by December 15, 2026
• Grooming: only water-based conditioning products; oil is allowed only on feet; glitter, powders and compounds are prohibited; no clipping on grounds
• Animals must be owned and in the exhibitor's possession by November 1, 2026. Substitutions are not allowed.

How It Works: The Timeline

1. June 1 to July 1, 2026 (11:59 p.m.): enter the draw; the fee was $20. Drawn exhibitors were emailed in mid-July.
2. July 15 to August 15: drawn exhibitors order DNA kits. The first four are free; kits 5 through 10 are $5 each.
3. October 1 to November 1, 2026: online entries, with the signature form signed by the exhibitor, a parent or guardian and a 4-H Extension agent or FFA advisor. Premises ID is required.
4. Sunday, January 17: swine arrival from 6:00 a.m.; showmanship check-in at 5:00 p.m.
5. Monday, January 18: mandatory exhibitor meeting at 8:00 a.m. in the CoBank Auction Arena to pick up weight cards; processing at 8:30 a.m.; showmanship at 2:00 p.m.
6. Tuesday, January 19: show at 8:00 a.m.
7. Wednesday, January 20: all-species Grand Drive at 6:30 p.m. Non-sale animals must be off the grounds by 9:00 p.m.; no harvest truck is provided.
8. Thursday, January 21: Premier Exhibitor contest at 8:00 a.m.; Friday, January 22: the auction.

Classes, Premiums and Awards

Breeds are Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Hereford/Tamworth, Poland China, Spots, Yorkshire and Crossbred. A breed needs at least 15 classified hogs to get its own class, and crossbreds are split into Light, Medium and Heavy divisions.

• Market show: 1st to 6th pay $45, $40, $35, $30, $25 and $20
• Crossbred division champions receive $250, and NJSA/Team Purebred offers $250 for each breed champion when a breed has more than 15 head
• Showmanship: $5 entry, with $4 going to the jackpot
• The sale includes 30 swine: breed champions, reserve champions and identified crossbred placings

Where

National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216. Barns lock at 9:00 p.m. and open at 5:00 a.m.; no one may stay with animals outside those hours.

Questions

Can I still enter the 2027 show?

No. The swine draw is closed for 2027.

Do I keep the money if my hog sells?

Most of the winning bid in the Auction of Junior Livestock Champions goes to the exhibitor, and 10 percent supports the National Western Scholarship Trust.

Who do I call?

The livestock office at 303-299-5559.

Official Links

• Junior Market Premium Book
• National Western livestock shows
• Livestock exhibitors
• Tentative 2027 schedule

Other Upcoming Events Nearby

• National Western Stock Show
  Jan. 9, 2027 - Jan. 24, 2027 | Denver County, Denver

  Sixteen-day stock show and rodeo at the National Western Complex in Denver, with open breed shows, an auction of junior livestock champions, pro rodeos and horse shows. The 2027 dates are posted.

• Western National Roundup
  Expected around Jan. 6, 2027 - estimate, not yet announced | Denver County, Denver

  Four-day 4-H and FFA event in Denver with livestock and horse judging, quiz bowl, public speaking and parliamentary procedure contests. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 7-10, 2026.

• National Western Stock Dog Trials
  Expected around Jan. 9, 2027 - estimate, not yet announced | Denver County, Denver

  Cattle and sheepdog competition during the opening days of the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 10-13, 2026.

• National Western Sheep Show
  Expected around Jan. 11, 2027 - estimate, not yet announced | Denver County, Denver

  Market and breeding sheep exhibited in the Junior Barn at the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 12-14, 2026.

• National Western Bison Show
  Expected around Jan. 22, 2027 - estimate, not yet announced | Denver County, Denver

  Bison breeders gather in the Yards at the Denver stock show. Held each year; the most recent dates were Jan. 23-24, 2026.

  4655 Humboldt Street, Denver, CO 80216 Official event details

All Colorado events by date

Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.