Livestock Exhibitors

January 10-25, 2026

It only happens in Denver!

The best 16 days in January will return in 2026 and we can't wait to see you all there.  January 10-25, 2026 will be the 120th National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado. The livestock shows in Denver have been the backbone of the National Western Stock Show since its inception in 1906. Be sure to mark your calendars now to be at the Grand Opening Show in the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, January 2026.

We are proud to serve the livestock and agricultural communities and look forward to elevating the exhibitor experience in January 2026.

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Junior Market exhibitors
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Entries are closedFor additional items such as yards banners, exhibitor badges, or blocking chute permits click here.
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2026 Show Entry & DNA Dates

Junior Market:

  • Swine Draw: June 1 - July 1, 2025
    • Extra Swine DNA:  July 15- August 15, 2025 More Details
    • DNA Postmarked by November 1
  • Junior Market Goat, Lamb & Steer DNA Orders: September 1 - October 1, 2025
    • DNA Postmarked by November 1
  • Junior Market Entries:
    • Open: October 1, 2025
    • Close: November 1, 2025
  • Catch-A-Calf: August 15 - November 1, 2025
  • Catch-A-Calf Application for 2027 Show - Opens early August - Closes January 1, 2026

Cattle: 

  • Open/Junior Breeding Cattle: October 1 - November 20, 2025*
    • Jr. Breeding Heifer Ownership Deadline: December 1, 2025
    • *Highland Exhibitors - Entry Deadline - November 10, 2025. No Late Entries
  • Open Prospect Steers & Heifers: October 1 - November 20, 2025
  • Yards - Pen/Carload Cattle: October 1 - November 20, 2025
  • Late Entry Open/Junior/Yards Cattle:  November 21 - December 10, 2025, with a $35.00 per head late fee attached.

Sheep:

  • Open Breeding Sheep: October 1 - December 10, 2025
  • Junior Ewe Lambs: October 1 - December 10, 2025

Goat: 

  • Open Boer Goats: October 1 - December 10, 2025
  • Junior Wether Does: October 1 - December 10, 2025

Specialty: 

  • Wool Show: October 1 - December 20, 2025
  • Llama Show: October 1 - December 20, 2025
  • Alpaca Show: October 1 - December 20, 2025
  • Stock Dogs: October 1 - December 10, 2025

Judging Contest:

  • Collegiate Livestock Contest: October 1 - December 10, 2025
  • Collegiate/4-H/FFA Wool Judging Contest: October 1 - December 10, 2025
2025 Show Results
Exhibitor Hotel Deals - 
Questions?

If you have questions, please contact:

Brandi Fuller - 303-299-5569
Livestock Operations Coordinator
[email protected]

Jennifer Boka - 303-299-8653
Sr. Director of Livestock Operations
[email protected]

Jana Sittler - 303-299-5574
Yards Manager
[email protected]

Clint Chitsey
VP of Livestock & Event Operations
[email protected]

2026 Schedule To Be Posted Soon
  • Livestock Schedule
  • Hill Arrival Release Calendar
  • Yards Arrival Release Calendar
2025 Livestock Layover - Adams County Fairgrounds 
Catch-A-Calf
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They come from Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming to compete in the National Western Stock Show’s longest-running program of practical beef cattle management. In just over 80 years, the Catch-A-Calf Contest has awarded nearly 3,000 steers to 4-H members hailing from the western United States.
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Judging Contests
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The NWSS livestock, wool and meats judging contests are coveted elements to the Best 16 Days in January. For generations, our judging contests have propelled hundreds if not thousands of people into success and careers in agriculture.
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Premier Exhibitor Contest
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presented by:   

The livestock Premier Exhibitor competition is a unique educational opportunity provided to all sale qualifying junior market livestock exhibitors.

Each year, 96 participants (out of the almost 1500) from the junior market goat, lamb, swine & steer shows qualify to sell their animal in the Junior Livestock Auction. This elite set of kids are then required to take an industry-related quiz, give a 2-minute speech on an industry-related topic and complete an interview with a panel of judges. Other components included in their overall Premier Exhibitor score include their live placing, showmanship placing & participation. Divisions included in each species are Young Premier Exhibitor (ages 12 & under) and Senior Premier Exhibitor (ages 13-18). Although the Young division winners receive a banner and plaque, the Senior Champion & Reserve Champions in each species are awarded $2,000 and $1,000 scholarships respectively. These winners are announced during the Junior Livestock Auction on the final Friday of the NWSS every year.
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Specialty Shows
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Hosting over 25 different breeds of cattle and more than 12,000 head of livestock moving in and out of the gates each year, visitors can watch traditional competitions including breeding, market, and showmanship, or those primarily aimed for recreation or companionship (llamas, alpacas, poultry, and stock dogs). Viewing these events is all part of the Stock Show experience and can be done with a grounds admission ticket!
Junior Market Shows
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Known for the infamous Grand Drives on the green carpet in historic Stadium Arena, NWSS is home to some of the most elite junior market shows in the country. Between junior market goats, sheep, hogs and steers we welcome more than 1300 head of 4-H/FFA livestock in and out of our gates every January. Our Auction of Junior Livestock Champions wraps things up on the final Friday of show, grossing over $1 million dollars in recent years.
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Auction of Junior Livestock Champions
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Of the thousands of junior market animals that compete at the National Western Stock Show each year, only 96 of the very best qualify for the exciting Auction of Junior Livestock Champions.

The auction is the final marketplace for the ribbon-winning steers, lambs, hogs, and goats that were raised by 4-H and FFA junior market exhibitors. Denver’s 9NEWS televises the live auction of the Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion animals where the winning bids have reached as high as $150,000!

The Junior Livestock Auction continues to encourage today’s youth to seek a future in agriculture and to further their education. A majority of the winning bid price goes directly to the Junior Exhibitor and 10% is donated to support the National Western Scholarship Trust.

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