Tinley Park, Illinois • January 6–10, 2027
Five days of all-breed shows — billed as the Great American Dog Show — fully heated indoors at the Tinley Park Convention Center, with entries closing December 18, 2026.
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What is the Tinley Park Cluster?
The January Tinley Park cluster is the Chicago area’s big winter weekend: three all-breed clubs — the Wheaton Kennel Club, the Northeastern Illinois Kennel Club, and the International Kennel Club of Chicago — share five days at the Tinley Park Convention Center, with limited-breed group shows filling out the week. The weekend is billed as the Great American Dog Show cluster, and it draws exhibitors from across the Midwest who want major winter points without leaving the heated indoors.
All judging is indoors — a real consideration in January in Illinois — and the combined cluster format means up to four all-breed shows plus group specialties in a single trip.
At a glance
- Where: Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477
- When: Wednesday, January 6 – Sunday, January 10, 2027
- The shows: Wheaton KC (Wed) – Northeastern Illinois KC (Thu) – International KC of Chicago (Sat & Sun), plus Toy group shows Wed/Thu
- Entries: Close Friday, December 18, 2026, via BaRay Event Services
- Entry fees: Wheaton: $36 / $15 – all other 2027 Tinley Park shows: $39 / $39
- Superintendent: BaRay Event Services, Inc. – (360) 755-7086
- Premium: 2027 premium not yet published
The days, day by day
Five days, three all-breed clubs, all at the Tinley Park Convention Center:
- Wed, Jan 6 — Wheaton Kennel Club all-breed show (AKC #2027111601), plus the Chicagoland Toy Dog Club Toy group show
- Thu, Jan 7 — Northeastern Illinois Kennel Club all-breed show (AKC #2027284301), plus the Chicagoland Toy Dog Club Toy group show
- Fri, Jan 8 — group day (lineup in the 2027 premium; the 2026 weekend ran Hound, Working, and Sporting group shows)
- Sat, Jan 9 — International Kennel Club of Chicago all-breed show (AKC #2027013001)
- Sun, Jan 10 — International Kennel Club of Chicago all-breed show (AKC #2027013002)
Best in Show judges, from AKC records: Wednesday — Mr. Daniel J. Smyth, Esq.; Thursday — Mr. William F. Potter II; Saturday — Mr. Andy Tao Gong; Sunday — Patricia A. Sosa. All six 2027 events show AKC status Approved.
Can you still enter?
Yes — for now. Entries close Friday, December 18, 2026 (noon PST, per BaRay’s published pattern) through superintendent BaRay Event Services. Entry fees: Wheaton KC $36 first entry / $15 each additional; all other 2027 Tinley Park shows $39 / $39. The 2027 premium list has not been published yet — entry limits and class details will post with it, so check barayevents.com before the closing date.
See the full show page for the day-by-day schedule, the verified judge list, entry details, and sources.
Attending in person
The show is fully indoors and heated — the main reason this cluster thrives in January. Spectators are welcome; check the premium for admission and parking details when it publishes.
Planning your visit
The Tinley Park Convention Center is at 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477, southwest of Chicago. The closest major airports are Chicago Midway (MDW) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD). No 2027 host-hotel list is published yet — confirm pet policies directly with any hotel at the time of booking.
Why go
January points are hard to come by in the Midwest, and Tinley Park compresses up to four all-breed shows — plus group specialties — into one heated building and one trip. If you’re campaigning a dog through the winter, this is one of the most efficient weekends on the calendar: show Wednesday through Sunday without ever going outside.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the Tinley Park dog show in 2027?
January 6–10, 2027, at the Tinley Park Convention Center, 18451 Convention Center Dr, Tinley Park, IL 60477. The weekend — billed as the Great American Dog Show cluster — includes the Wheaton Kennel Club (Wednesday), the Northeastern Illinois Kennel Club (Thursday), and the International Kennel Club of Chicago (Saturday and Sunday), plus limited-breed group shows.
Can I still enter the 2027 Tinley Park shows?
Yes — entries close Friday, December 18, 2026, through superintendent BaRay Event Services. Wheaton KC fees are $36 first entry / $15 each additional; all other 2027 Tinley Park shows are $39 / $39. The 2027 premium list is not yet published.
Who is judging Best in Show at Tinley Park 2027?
From AKC records: Wednesday (Wheaton KC) — Mr. Daniel J. Smyth, Esq.; Thursday (Northeastern Illinois KC) — Mr. William F. Potter II; Saturday (International KC of Chicago) — Mr. Andy Tao Gong; Sunday (International KC of Chicago) — Patricia A. Sosa.
Is the Tinley Park show indoors?
Yes — all judging is fully heated indoors at the Tinley Park Convention Center, which is the main draw of this January cluster.
What is the Great American Dog Show?
It is the public branding for the January Tinley Park cluster — the combined weekend of the Wheaton, Northeastern Illinois, and International Kennel Club of Chicago shows at the Tinley Park Convention Center.
Planning your show season?
Create your free ThePetAdvisor account — track your dogs, plan your weekends, and never miss a closing date.