Wilmington, Ohio • October 27–28, 2026
Five days of AmStaffs in southwest Ohio: the 90th Staffordshire Terrier Club of America National Specialty crowns the American Staffordshire Terrier's top dogs October 27–28 at Roberts Centre — with a regional specialty, Fast CAT, the futurity, and the first-ever STCA Champion Challenge rounding out the week.
Planning your show season? Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs and never miss a closing date.
What is the STCA National Specialty 2026?
The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America — the AKC parent club of the American Staffordshire Terrier — holds its 90th National Specialty October 27–28, 2026, at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. The national caps a five-day specialty week (October 24–28) that opens with a regional specialty and packs in supported-entry obedience and agility, Fast CAT, Fetch and temperament tests, CGC and Trick Dog testing, two rally trials, sweepstakes, futurity and maturity, the first-ever STCA Champion Challenge, a stud dog social, and the club's awards banquet. Judging is indoors and the show is unbenched, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
At a glance
- Where: Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Rd, Wilmington, OH 45177
- When: Tuesday, October 27 – Wednesday, October 28, 2026 (specialty week: October 24–28)
- Entries: Closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET
- Superintendent: Jim Rau Dog Shows, Ltd.
- Host club: Staffordshire Terrier Club of America — the AKC parent club of the American Staffordshire Terrier
- Host hotel: Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre — on the show grounds
- New this year: The inaugural STCA Champion Challenge (invitation-only) and the first-ever stud dog social
The week, day by day
The schedule builds through the week toward the final judging:
- Sat, Oct 24 — Performance day — supported-entry obedience and agility, Fast CAT, Fetch, temperament tests, CGC and Trick Dog
- Sun, Oct 25 — Two rally trials, then an evening program: regional juniors, regional sweepstakes, the Champion Challenge, and the welcome party
- Mon, Oct 26 — Regional specialty day — the regional specialty, parade of titleholders, membership meeting, stud dog social, and pizza party
- Tue, Oct 27 — National day one — national sweepstakes, the dog and bitch classes, a free breed seminar, Amstaff of the Year, and the awards banquet
- Wed, Oct 28 — National day two — futurity and maturity, national juniors, non-regular classes, beginner puppy, and Best of Breed
Who’s judging
The verified judging panel for 2026:
- National specialty, BPUP & juniors (Tue–Wed): Christine Erickson
- National sweepstakes (Tue): Giuseppe Commisso
- Futurity / maturity (Wed): Gerry Thornton
- Regional specialty & BPUP (Mon): Carla Restivo
- Regional sweepstakes (Sun): Gina Datillo
- Regional juniors (Sun): Adrienne Hill
- Rally trials (Sun): Jill Lowry and Anita Eisthen
Can you still enter?
Entries are closed. They closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET through superintendent Jim Rau Dog Shows, Ltd., so the entered dogs are set.
Spectators are welcome at Roberts Centre — and if you were planning to enter, a free ThePetAdvisor account keeps next year's closing date on your radar so you never miss one again.
Planning your visit
The host hotel is the Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre — on the show grounds, so the commute is an elevator ride. Pet-friendly backups nearby include the Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington and the Holiday Inn Express Wilmington, plus several campgrounds.
The 24/7 emergency vet is Care Center Dayton, 6421 Clyo Road, Centerville, 937-428-0911 (about 30 minutes). Show hours run 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, indoors and unbenched.
See the full show page for the day-by-day schedule, the verified judge list, and the official premium list.
Why go
The national specialty is the one week of the year when the AmStaff world gathers in one place. The inaugural STCA Champion Challenge — invitation-only, judged by a three-judge panel — adds a new headline event. The first-ever stud dog social is a rare chance to meet potential sires up close. And Wednesday's Best of Breed, with the AKC National Owner-Handled Series and points for Reserve, is the most electric moment of the week. If you love American Staffordshire Terriers, there is no better week on the calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the STCA National Specialty 2026?
October 27–28, 2026, at Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio (123 Gano Rd, Wilmington, OH 45177), hosted by the Staffordshire Terrier Club of America. Specialty-week events run October 24–28.
Can I still enter the 2026 STCA National Specialty?
No — entries closed Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon ET through superintendent Jim Rau Dog Shows, Ltd. The entered dogs are already set; the week is open to AmStaff fans who want to watch.
Is this the Staffordshire Bull Terrier national?
No. The Staffordshire Terrier Club of America is the AKC parent club of the American Staffordshire Terrier — a different breed from the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. This national is for American Staffordshire Terriers.
Who is judging the 2026 STCA National Specialty?
Christine Erickson judges the national specialty (breed, 4–6 beginner puppy, and juniors) Tuesday and Wednesday; Giuseppe Commisso judges the national sweepstakes; Gerry Thornton judges the futurity and maturity. Carla Restivo judges Monday's regional specialty.
What is the STCA Champion Challenge?
New for 2026: an invitation-only competition for champions and grand champions titled between January 1, 2025 and June 1, 2026, judged by a three-judge panel in male/female classes on Sunday evening, October 25. The trophy winner cannot defend the title the following year.
Where should I stay for the STCA National Specialty in Wilmington?
The host hotel is the Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre — on the show grounds. Nearby pet-friendly options include the Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington and the Holiday Inn Express Wilmington.
Planning your show season?
Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs, plan your weekends, and never miss a closing date.