The downloadable packet is designed as a fillable form. You can type directly into the fields on your computer. Once complete, you must save the document as a PDF to ensure all your data and signatures are captured.
Please note that while the form is digital, supplemental documents (like vet records) must be scanned as high-quality PDFs for submission.
Every fillable field must be completed, and all required pages — Entry Form + signed Release & Waiver (and Handler Form & Waiver if applicable) — must be returned by email. If anything is missing or unsigned, we will contact you for corrections before your entry can be accepted.
Only email entries will be accepted. Email all required pages to [email protected] no later than Friday, July 17″, 2026, 5:00 p.m. PDT. All documents must be sent as PDFs or high-quality digital files; cell phone photos of paperwork (blurry, dark, or angled images) will not be accepted.
Note: While digital files are used for the initial entry, you must bring physical paper copies of your dog’s current vaccination records and the official Airline Health Certificate (CVI) for the Friday, August 14, 2026, check-in. Digital photos or images on a phone/tablet will NOT be accepted at check-in.
If someone other than the owner will handle your dog during the contest, that person must also complete and submit the Handler Packet (available separately) by the same deadline — Friday, July 17th , 2026, 5:00 p.m. PDT. Handler changes after this deadline or on contest day will not be accepted.
If you have trouble typing in the fields, saving the file, or emailing it, contact us at:
Please Note: The World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest is an in-person event at the Sonoma County Fair. Only the Contestant Packet, Handler Packet, signed Release & Waivers, and any required supporting documents (such as the dog’s digital photo, biography, and veterinary records) are submitted electronically by email. Printed or mailed packets will not be accepted. All contestants and handlers must also read and comply with the full Official Contest Rules contained in the packet.
To be considered a complete entry, you must submit the following documentation via email to [email protected] by the deadline of Friday, July 17th, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. PDT:
Note: Photos of documents (cell phone pictures) will not be accepted. This is required to complete your entry file.
Critical On-Site Requirement: You must bring physical paper copies of these two documents to the check-in desk on August 14th, 2026:
Note: Digital photos or images on a phone/tablet will not be accepted. Records must be physical paper copies.
The 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, during the Sonoma County Fair (running August 7-16, 2026) at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California.
Important Arrival Note: Late arrivals (any contestant checking in after 4:15 p.m.) may be disqualified from the contest at management’s discretion to ensure the production remains on schedule.
Once your entry is processed and accepted, the Entry Office will send a follow-up confirmation email. In the weeks leading up to the event, you will receive an official contestant letter. This letter will provide all necessary logistical details, including your specific entry gate, arrival procedures, and parking instructions for the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.
We are proud to recognize the partners who make this world-famous event possible:
Our official host, providing the world-class stage and celebration space for this wonderful tradition.
Official sponsor of the media trip. NBC provides all-expenses-paid travel for the winning dog and handler to appear live on national television in New York City.
A primary sponsor that celebrates our champions. Mug creates exclusive, custom merchandise featuring the winning dog to spread the message that all dogs are lovable, regardless of their appearance.
$5,000 Total Award (issued via check), the official World's Ugliest Dog® trophy, and a trip to New York City.
$3,000 Total Award (issued via check) and a trophy.
$2,000 Total Award (issued via check) and a trophy.
This honor recognizes a dog and owner whose biography demonstrates a special bond, resilience, or inspiration. The Spirit Award winner receives a trophy and recognition on stage. This award may not be won by the same dog in consecutive years.
Important Disbursement Rules: For security and tax purposes, no cash or checks are distributed on-site at the event. All prize money is issued via check and mailed to the registered owner after the conclusion of the event. All prizes and trophies are awarded solely to the registered owner of the dog as listed on the Entry Form. Handlers are not entitled to prize money or trophies. A completed IRS Form W-9 must be provided to the Entry Office before any check can be processed. All winners are solely responsible for local, state, and federal taxes.
The First-Place winner (dog and handler) must be prepared for immediate next-day travel to New York City.
Current travel is scheduled to depart Saturday, August 15th, 2026, for a live appearance on the TODAY Show on Monday, August 17th, 2026, returning Tuesday, August 18th, 2026.
The owner is responsible for obtaining and paying for the airline-required health certificate (CVI). This document must be dated between August 6th and August 13th, 2026, to satisfy the airline's 10-day travel window. You must present the physical paper original at check-in.
The person who presents the dog on stage must be the person who accompanies the dog to New York. Participation in the sponsored media trip is optional. As the official broadcast partner, NBC® is granted the first official interview; if the winner chooses to decline this first-interview requirement or cannot fulfill the travel schedule, the trip portion of the prize is forfeited, though the cash award remains with the winner. In the event of such forfeiture, the Second-Place winner may be invited to participate in the media tour at the sole discretion of NBC®.
The dog and one (1) designated handler receive free fair admission. All other family members and guests must purchase tickets and enter through public gates.
Only the dog and the one designated handler are allowed in the backstage, “Dog Park,” and staging areas. Minor children and additional guests are strictly prohibited backstage.
The Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association and Sonoma County Fairgrounds assume no responsibility or liability for minor children or guests of contestants who are left unattended in public areas while the contestant is backstage or in our other designated contestant areas of the contest (backstage, “Dog Park,” and staging areas).
All designated contestant areas of the contest (backstage, “Dog Park,” and staging areas) are strictly alcohol-free zones. Consumption of alcohol or intoxication will result in immediate disqualification. Aggressive dog behavior or inappropriate handler conduct may result in removal from the fairgrounds at management’s
To maintain a professional look for our broadcast and sponsors, we enforce a strict “No Advertising” policy. Handlers may not wear clothing, hats, or accessories displaying logos for third-party businesses or organizations (e.g., local pet stores or grooming businesses, etc.). Please wear non-branded attire. If you arrive in branded apparel, you will be asked to change or cover the logo before taking the stage.
The World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest is a world-class production. From the moment you arrive, you are part of a high-energy, recorded event with a heavy media presence. Please be prepared for cameras, bright lights, and interviews at all points of the evening.
Once checked in, all handlers must attend the mandatory briefing backstage.
Following the meeting, handlers and dogs move to the “Dog Park.” This area is open to the media and fair
guests to meet the dogs.
The official show begins with your grand entrance. Each dog and handler will be called to the stage individually.
Handlers will be called up from backstage one by one for their formal interview with the Emcee.
The Spirit Award winner and the Top 3 finalists will be called back to the stage for the results.
Immediately following the crowning of the winner, the First Place Winner and their Handler will be escorted directly from the stage to the Entry Office. To protect the exclusivity of our media partnerships, the winner is prohibited from conducting any media interviews or press appearances on the fairgrounds following the win until all official paperwork is complete. Failure to follow the official escort or participating in unauthorized interviews may result in the immediate forfeiture of the NBC® media trip. Once at the Entry Office, this meeting is mandatory to finalize travel arrangements for the media trip to New York City and to complete all official winners’ affidavits and tax documentation. Travel is currently scheduled to depart on Saturday, August 15th, 2026, and return on Monday, August 17th, 2026; however, all travel dates, flight times, and media appearances are tentative and subject to change at the sole discretion of NBC® and the Association. If the First Place Winner or Handler is unable to fulfill travel requirements, the Second Place Winner may be invited to participate in the media tour at the sole discretion of NBC®. Handlers and owners must not leave the fairgrounds until this process is complete.
Winners are expected to take possession of their trophies on the night of the event. Because the First-Place Winner travels to New York City almost immediately, we strongly encourage you to have a friend or family member take the trophy home for you. These awards are shipped as large, fully assembled units; therefore, professional crating and shipping fees are very high. Should you choose to ship your trophy, the registered owner is 100% responsible for all costs. To ship your trophy, you must provide your credit card and shipping information to the Entry Office before leaving the fairgrounds. The Association will facilitate the shipment but is not liable for trophies once they are delivered to the carrier.
By submitting an Entry Form, all contestants, owners, and handlers agree to comply with the following official rules and regulations of the World’s Ugliest Dog® Contest. Failure to follow these rules may result in disqualification, forfeiture of awards, and/or removal from the contest and fairgrounds.