Madison Square Garden And New York City Celebrate The Westminster Kennel Club’s Milestone 150th Anniversary

Iconic NYC Institutions - Including Baked by Melissa, the Empire State Building, Funny Face Bakery, Paulie Gee's, Serendipity 3, TAO Sushi, and Veselka - Honor the Dog Show with Custom Activations and Specialty Dog-Themed Food Items

Entertainment Lineup & Historic Tribute to Some of the Sport's Beloved Legends Unveiled for the Two-Night Event at The Garden

NEW YORK (January 28, 2026) - Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: MSGE) ("MSG Entertainment") and The Westminster Kennel Club announced today how The Garden - the original home of the world's most prestigious dog show - and institutions around the city are marking The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show's milestone 150^th anniversary. Both within Madison Square Garden and across New York City, the sesquicentennial will take the center ring as collaborations with New York institutions such as Baked by Melissa, Funny Face Bakery, Paulie Gee's, Serendipity 3, the TAO Group, and Veselka, along with exclusive activations with the AKC® Museum of the Dog and the Empire State Building extend the celebrations of the two-night event taking place on February 2 & 3, 2026 at The World's Most Famous Arena.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and MSG have a long-standing history dating back to the very first show in 1877, which was held at Gilmore's Garden - officially renamed Madison Square Garden in 1879. One of the venue's original events, the dog show has been held at The Garden in all but 11 years between 1877 and 2026, creating a lasting connection between The Westminster Kennel Club and MSG. This year, over 3,000 champion dogs from around the world will come together in New York City to participate in various competitions across the multi-day event, which culminates on February 3 when the coveted Best in Show award is presented at Madison Square Garden.

"The Garden and The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show share a rich history - with the very first dog show having taken place in 1877 at MSG, even before it became known as Madison Square Garden in 1879," said Josephine Vaccarello, Executive Vice President, Live, MSG Entertainment. "In this milestone year for the world's most iconic dog show, we're proud to be home to the group judging and Best in Show competitions, and to extend the celebration for dog lovers by collaborating with some of New York's most iconic brands and institutions."

"This is a full circle moment for The Westminster Kennel Club and Madison Square Garden," said Dr. Donald Sturz, President of The Westminster Kennel Club. "An idea that sprung from the historic Westminster Hotel in 1876 came to life at Gilmore's Garden, marking the very first Westminster Dog Show - 150 years later, here we are in The World's Most Famous Arena celebrating the love of dogs with unforgettable moments made only in New York."

Activations and collaborations include:

Only at Madison Square Garden

Baked by Melissa

The popular bakery known for its bite-size cupcakes and unique flavors will feature a festive limited-edition 3-Pack of purple sugar cookie cupcakes topped with purple vanilla icing, all wrapped in a bespoke MSG and Westminster Kennel Club sleeve. The custom cupcakes will be sold exclusively at Baked by Melissa's MSG kiosk outside Section 118 throughout the two-night event.

Paulie Gee's

The legendary Brooklyn pizzeria will join in the celebrations, renaming their classic pepperoni and Sicilian pepperoni the "Paw-peroni" and "Sicilian Paw-Peroni" in honor of the milestone. Paulie Gee's "Paw-peroni" slices will be sold in the Arena throughout the two-night event and offered at their Greenpoint location.

TAO Sushi

The famed restaurant will mark the 150^th anniversary at The Garden with two custom items - shrimp and pork "Best of Breed Bao Buns," and the "Good Boy Biscuit" topped with spicy tuna - both of which will be served solely at MSG during the two-night event.

Veselka

The beloved Ukrainian restaurant is putting a festive spin on its classic pierogis, renaming menu items such as "The Sesquicentennial Short Rib" (braised beef short rib), "The Show Stopper" (arugula and goat cheese), and "The Best In Show" (potato and cheese). All three will be available at Veselka's MSG concession stand outside Sections 109 and 304 throughout the two-night event.

Bark-tender Specials

Specialty cocktails including the "Best in Spritz," a festive spin on the Hugo Spritz; "The Puppy Pucker," a vodka-based drink with a splash of lemonade and lemon-lime soda; and the "Salty or Spicy Chihuahua," your choice of a classic or spicy margarita, will all be available at The Garden as part of the milestone celebration. Guests will receive a custom Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show commemorative cup with any drink order - available exclusively at Madison Square Garden during the two-night event.

Westminster Legends

Guests attending the 2026 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at MSG will be treated to an exclusive entertainment lineup and historic show-stopping moments. The Westminster Kennel Club will welcome back an elite group of world-class canines to The Garden on Monday, February 2 for the Westminster Legends presentation - a celebratory tribute to some of the sport's most beloved champions.

Masters Agility and Flyball Demonstrations

Fans will also enjoy a special presentation of the action-packed Masters Agility Competition on Monday, February 2, which was previously held at The Garden, as well as the returning fan-favorite, Flyball Tournament, where teams of top-performing dogs from across North America compete in the high-energy sport that combines speed, agility, and teamwork.

Christian & Scooby Performance

The popular acrobatic duo from America's Got Talent, Christian & Scooby, will make their Westminster debut at The Garden on Tuesday, February 3. Christian Stoinev, a hand-balancing performer, and his Chihuahua partner Scooby combine incredible physical feats with canine tricks for a uniquely amazing family-friendly act showcasing the incredible bond between human and dog.

Around the City

AKC® Museum of the Dog

The newest exhibition at the AKC® Museum of the Dog, The Life of a Show Dog: Celebrating 150 Years of Westminster, is running now through March 22, 2026. Drawn from the archives of The Westminster Kennel Club, Madison Square Garden, and the AKC Museum of the Dog, this exhibition illuminates the defining moments that have shaped the show's remarkable history. Through portraits, rare footage, trophies, grooming tables, and other artifacts, visitors will discover the artistry, discipline, and heart behind the pursuit of Best in Show.

Empire State Building

On February 3, the Empire State Building will illuminate the New York City skyline in Westminster's iconic purple and gold to celebrate the sesquicentennial event and the 2026 Best in Show champion, who will be crowned at MSG that evening.

Funny Face Bakery

The New York City-based bakery is celebrating the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show's milestone 150^th anniversary with a playful, hand-decorated sugar cookie. Featuring a custom Best in Show-inspired design, this cookie is equal parts keepsake and treat. Baked with a classic sugar cookie base and finished with smooth royal icing for a crisp bite and sweet, nostalgic finish. The specialty "You're Best in Show" cookie is available both online and at their Fulton and Lafayette Street locations now through February 14 or while supplies last.

Serendipity 3

Iconic NYC restaurant Serendipity 3 launched a new celebratory dessert - the Westminster Kennel Club Sundae, which features velvety vanilla ice cream dripping in hot fudge and creamy caramel sauce, and topped with a cloud of whipped cream, hickory-smoked candied bacon that's dipped in chocolate, candy "dog bones," a puppy pick, plus an edible Westminster Kennel Club icing sheet. The frozen treat is available now through February 3 at Serendipity 3's Upper East Side and Times Square locations.

Limited tickets remain for the 150^th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden and are available in person at the Ticketmaster Box Office at Madison Square Garden and online at ticketmaster.com. For groups of nine or more, please contact the Group Sales Department at 212-465-6080 or [email protected].

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