AKC Conformation · Springfield, Illinois
Springfield Illinois Fall Cluster
October 15–18, 2026 — four all-breed shows, a different host club each day, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
Weekend at a glance
The Springfield Illinois Fall Cluster brings four all-breed AKC conformation shows to the Illinois State Fairgrounds — Expo Building in Springfield, Illinois, October 15–18, 2026 — a different host club each day: Champaign Illinois Kennel Club on Thursday, Mattoon Kennel Club on Friday, Sandemac Kennel Club on Saturday, and Illinois Capitol Kennel Club on Sunday.
- Dates
- October 15–18, 2026
- Venue
- Illinois State Fairgrounds — Expo Building
- Host club
- Champaign Illinois Kennel Club (Thu) · Mattoon Kennel Club (Fri) · Sandemac Kennel Club (Sat) · Illinois Capitol Kennel Club (Sun)
- Format
- All-Breed
- Entries
- Entries close
- Premium list
- 2026 premium list — Prairieland Classic, all four clubs (PDF) Verified 2026
More about this show
Verified 2026 · Dates & club verified via premium
- Dates
- Thursday through Sunday
- Venue
- Springfield, Illinois
- Format
- Four all-breed shows, one host club per day
- Entries
- 12:00 noon CDT, Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Superintendent: MB-F
Enter the show
- Superintendent
- MB-F
- Closing
- 12:00 noon CDT, Wednesday, September 30, 2026
The days
four all-breed shows, a different host club each day, at the Illinois State Fairgrounds
| Day | Show |
|---|---|
| Thu, Oct 15 | Champaign Illinois Kennel Club — All-Breed + Junior Showmanship |
| Fri, Oct 16 | Mattoon Kennel Club — All-Breed + Junior Showmanship |
| Sat, Oct 17 | Sandemac Kennel Club — All-Breed + Junior Showmanship |
| Sun, Oct 18 | Illinois Capitol Kennel Club — All-Breed + Junior Showmanship |
A separate Foy Trent-superintended cluster runs October 9–11 at the same Illinois State Fairgrounds — this guide covers only the October 15–18 MB-F cluster described above. Verify which weekend’s premium list and closing date you’re entering.
Today’s Ring Card
Your show-day schedule, saved by date.
Judging program not yet published
No ring times or ring assignments have been verified yet. Ring cards will be built from the official program as soon as it’s out.
Breed judge finder
32 verified Best in Show and Variety Group assignments from the 2026 premium list. Verified 2026
Breed-by-breed panels will be added from the judging program when it is published.
Only verified assignments are listed here. We never guess judges.
Juniors
Junior Showmanship is offered all four days of the Prairieland Classic — plus a Sunday Pee Wee. Verified 2026
Junior Showmanship
Thu Oct 15 — Champaign Illinois KC
Junior Showmanship — offered; judge Mrs. Patti Widick Neale.
Fri Oct 16 — Mattoon KC
Junior Showmanship — offered; judge Mr. Dean Burwell.
Sat Oct 17 — Sandemac KC
Junior Showmanship — offered; judge Ms. Ann H. Roth.
Sun Oct 18 — Illinois Capitol KC
Junior Showmanship — offered; judge Ms. Sharol Candace Way.
Pee Wee
Pee Wee is a non-competitive special attraction for children ages 5 to under 9 — separate from Junior Showmanship competition.
Sun Oct 18 — Pee Wee Class
Pee Wee — offered Sunday at noon for children 5 to under 9 years old. Free entry.
The AKC National Owner-Handled Series runs all four days, with 4 & Under 6 Months Puppy competitions each day.
Specialties & supported entries
A full specialty lineup runs alongside the Prairieland Classic. Verified 2026
Fri Oct 16 & Sat Oct 17 — Western Irish Setter concurrent specialties
Western Irish Setter Club, Inc. — concurrent specialty with Mattoon KC on Friday and with Sandemac KC on Saturday, with sweepstakes and veteran sweepstakes (separate premium).
Thu Oct 15 — supported entries
Irish Setter Club of Greater St. Louis and American Sloughi Association support Thursday's Champaign Illinois KC show.
Fri Oct 16 — supported entries
Otterhound Club of America and American Sloughi Association support Friday's Mattoon KC show.
Sat Oct 17 — specialties
Irish Setter Club of Greater St. Louis, Otterhound Club of America, and Newfoundland Club of America, Inc. hold specialty shows with sweepstakes; American Sloughi Association holds a specialty show.
Sun Oct 18 — specialties & supported entries
American Sloughi Association and Newfoundland Club of America, Inc. hold specialty shows with sweepstakes; Irish Setter Club of Greater St. Louis and Otterhound Club of America support the Illinois Capitol KC show.
Plan your visit
Find the venue
Open in Google Maps · Official Illinois State Fairgrounds map, 2025 (PDF)
The venue
Illinois State Fairgrounds — Expo Building
Springfield, IL
Dog-friendly lodging
- Northfield Inn, Suites & Conference Center — 3280 Northfield Dr, Springfield, IL. Call ahead to confirm pet policy.
- Carpenter Street Hotel — 525 N 6th St, Springfield, IL. Call ahead to confirm pet policy.
- Crowne Plaza Springfield — 3000 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, IL. Call ahead to confirm pet policy.
Always confirm the pet policy when booking.
Flying in
- SPI — Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI) is located just west of the fairgrounds, about a 15-minute drive away.
Getting there
The fairgrounds are accessible via I-55 to E. Sangamon Ave. (Exit 100) west to the fairgrounds entrance.
Restaurants
- Boone's (dog-friendly; outdoor seating; Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) — 301 W Edwards St, Springfield. Historic saloon with a dog-friendly outdoor patio and beer garden (BringFido).
- Cafe Moxo (dog-friendly; outdoor seating; Breakfast, Lunch) — 2661 Chatham Rd, Springfield. Casual café listed as dog-friendly with outdoor seating (Tripadvisor), open mornings through mid-afternoon.
RV parks
- Illinois State Fairgrounds Campground (full hookups; overnight stays) — Springfield, IL. On-site campground open to the public April-October 31; $50/night camping; electric and water at sites, sewer hook-ups on limited sites only; restrooms and shower house.
Attractions
- Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum — Downtown Springfield. Major Lincoln museum and library.
- Lincoln Home National Historic Site — Downtown Springfield. Preserved home of Abraham Lincoln.
Venue guide — shared by every show at this location. Last verified 2026-09-25. Per-show details for this weekend (RV, admission, grooming) will be added here when confirmed.
The venue
The shows are held at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Exposition Building, 801 E. Sangamon Ave. & Peoria Rd., Springfield, IL 62702. All judging is indoors; show hours are 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Central each day.
Documents
Official documents for this weekend. Verified 2026
- 2026 premium list (PDF) — Prairieland Classic — Champaign Illinois KC (Thu), Mattoon KC (Fri), Sandemac KC (Sat), Illinois Capitol KC (Sun), Oct 15–18 Verified 2026
Sources
- SourceAKC listings (verified September 24, 2026)