Top 10 Tips to Make the Most of the Sydney Dog Lovers Festival 2026!

Sydney will be bursting with puppy love on August 22 & 23 as dog lovers from across New South Wales and beyond come together for one of the greatest dog-dedicated festivals on the planet.

The Dog Lovers Festival is taking over The Dome and Hall 2 at Sydney Showground for two unforgettable days packed with incredible dog breeds, action-packed dog sports, must-see attractions, expert presenters and the best brands in the pet world.

With so much happening across the weekend, a little planning goes a long way. Here are our top tips to help you make the most of your day, so you don’t miss a single tail-wagging moment.

1. Fetch Your Tickets Early

Tickets are limited and expected to sell fast.

If you haven’t secured yours yet, now’s the time.

👉 Fetch your tickets here

Remember, tickets are valid for one day only, so you’ll need a separate ticket if you want to attend on both Saturday and Sunday.

Lock it in early so you can relax and focus on enjoying the ultimate day out for dog lovers.

2. Download the Festival App

Your paw-fect Festival companion!

Get the free Festival App to:

• Browse the full event timetable
• Save your favourite sessions and build your personalised Festival schedule
• Explore attractions, presenters and exhibitors
• Navigate the Festival with the interactive map
• Discover Festival specials and featured products
• Access exclusive competitions and giveaways

We recommend downloading the App before Festival day, as large crowds can affect mobile network speeds inside the venue.

Download on App Store  | Download on Google Play

3. Plan Your Journey to Sydney Showground

The Festival will be held at:

Sydney Showground
The Dome & Hall 2
Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park

Public transport is a great option, but there are some important changes to know about.

Due to ongoing trackwork, buses will replace trains between Lidcombe and Olympic Park stations during the Festival. Replacement buses are expected to run every 5–7 minutes.

Approximate travel times are:

• Central: 30 minutes
• Parramatta: 18 minutes

If you’re driving, parking can fill quickly, so we strongly recommend pre-booking your parking before the Festival.

Other options include:

• Taxi or rideshare drop-off at the entrance to The Dome
• Ferry services to Sydney Olympic Park Wharf, approximately 3km from the town centre
• Accessible parking and pathways connecting the car parks and Festival entrance

Check the Transport NSW Trip Planner before leaving for the latest service information.

👉 Explore all transport and parking options here

4. Explore the Best Brands and Festival Deals

Get ready to enter the ultimate doggy shopping paradise!

Across the Dog Expo and Marketplace, you’ll discover the latest and greatest products and services from some of the best dog brands, boutique businesses, clever start-ups and passionate creators.

Shop everything from:

• Premium food and tasty treats
• Toys and enrichment products
• Beds, collars, leads and accessories
• Grooming and health essentials
• Pet technology
• Training and professional services
• Dog-friendly travel and accommodation

You’ll also find featured products, samples, exclusive competitions and Festival-only specials you won’t want to miss.

👉 Explore all exhibitors and Festival specials here

Come ready to discover, shop and find plenty of new ways to spoil your pooch at home.

5. Don’t Miss the Action Across the Festival

There’s something happening everywhere you turn, so check the timetable and plan your must-see moments before you arrive.

Festival highlights include:

• VitaPet Arena: Catch Dances with Dogs, Rally, Flyball, and Scurry Dog.
• Kurgo® DockDogs: Watch dogs leap into a 100,000-litre pool in Big Air, Speed Retrieve and Extreme Vertical competitions
• Dog Sports: Discover incredible displays of speed, skill and teamwork
• Breed Showcase: Meet hundreds of dogs and connect with representatives from more than 30 breed clubs
• Pat-A-Pooch: Enjoy a special opportunity to interact with a range of beautiful dogs
• Adoption Zone: Meet dogs looking for loving homes and speak with dedicated adoption groups
• SASH Ask-A-Vet: Get trusted advice and have your questions answered by veterinary experts
• TV Su-Paw-Stars: Meet some of Australia’s most talented canine celebrities
• I ❤️ Dogs: Capture the ultimate dog-lover selfie

👉 Explore all Sydney attractions here

6. Join the Dog Sporting Legends Competition

Get ready to go walkies on a winning mission!

Join our Dog Sporting Legends Spotting Challenge at the Dog Lovers Festival for your chance to win PAWsome prizes to pamper your pooch!

Here’s how it works:

• Track down 8 legendary sporting dogs cards hidden around the Festival
• Scan the QR code beside each canine champion
• Use the Festival App to keep tabs on which legends you’ve found 
• Find all 8 to enter the prize draw

From furry footballers to canine Olympians, it’s a tail-wagging adventure packed with fun and prizes.

Start sniffing them out and let the games begin!

7. Please Leave Your Dog at Home

As much as we absolutely love dogs, visitor dogs unfortunately aren’t permitted at the Festival.

This helps protect the health, safety and wellbeing of:

• The hundreds of dogs already participating in the Festival
• Our visitors, including young children
• Your own dog, as large crowds, noise and unfamiliar surroundings can be overwhelming

The Festival team also can’t pre-check the behaviour, health, training or vaccination status of every visiting dog.

Accredited Assistance or Service Dogs are welcome. Visitors must provide evidence of formal training or an appropriate travel pass at entry.

Please never leave your dog tied up outside the venue or unattended in a vehicle.

Don’t worry—you’ll still get your full doggo fix! You’ll be able to meet hundreds of dogs, learn from leading experts, discover adoption groups and breed clubs, and return home with treats, toys and plenty of new knowledge for your pooch.

👉 Read the full Dog Policy here

8. Follow the Dog Interaction Guidelines

We know you’ll want to meet every dog, and honestly, we get it.

To keep every interaction safe and enjoyable, please remember to:

• Always ask the owner or handler before approaching a dog
• Let the dog come to you
• Stay calm and gentle
• Follow all signage and handler instructions
• Use the hand sanitiser provided after patting dogs
• Supervise children during every interaction
• Leave resting or sleeping dogs alone
• Never approach dogs inside crates, enclosures or behind barriers without permission
• Avoid touching a dog’s face, mouth, ears, eyes or tail
• Never feed dogs or pull on their leads or collars

If a dog needs some quiet time, their handler may move them away from the public. Please always respect their space.

👉 Read the full Dog Welfare Guidelines here

9. Visit Two Festivals for the Price of One

Here’s an added bonus for animal lovers: your Dog Lovers Festival ticket also includes free entry to the Cat Lovers Festival, happening next door in Halls 5 and 6!

That means you can explore two incredible Festivals with the same ticket on the same day.

Once you’ve experienced all the dog-filled fun, head next door to discover:

• Cat Chat
• Breed and Adoption Stage
• Breed Showcase
• Pat-A-Cat
• Adoption Zone
• The Purr Trail
• Cat Expo
• The Marketplace
• I ❤️ Cats

Please note that you must visit both Festivals on the same day shown on your ticket.

10. Stay Fuelled and Enjoy the Day

There’s a lot to see, so give yourself time to explore without rushing.

With cafes, food trucks, coffee and seating areas available throughout the venue, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to recharge before heading back into the action.

Make sure you arrive early, check your saved App timetable and allow some flexibility between sessions for shopping, meeting dogs and discovering attractions along the way.

Bonus Tip: Get Social 📲

Join the dog-loving community and share the fun:

• Tag your favourite Festival moments @thedogloversfestival 
• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok
• Keep an eye out for Festival updates, competitions and behind-the-scenes moments
• Don’t forget to snap a photo at the I ❤️ Dogs wall

Let the Dog Fun Begin!

Whether you’re coming solo, meeting friends or bringing the whole family, the Sydney Dog Lovers Festival is the ultimate celebration of everything we love about dogs.

Book your tickets, download the App, plan your journey and get ready for a weekend filled with dogs, shopping, entertainment and unforgettable moments.

Event Details

📅 Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 August 2026
⏰ 9:30am–5pm daily
📍 The Dome & Hall 2, Sydney Showground
Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park

Need tickets or more information?

👉 Visit the official Sydney Dog Lovers Festival website