The South of England Show returns from Friday 5th June to Sunday 7th June 2026 at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex, with a significantly expanded livestock programme and a new forum addressing key issues facing farmers and land managers across the South East.
A cornerstone of the agricultural calendar, the show will see a substantial increase in livestock classes, rising from over 300 in 2025 to more than 450 in 2026. The event will also host the National Dexter Show, featuring 19 Dexter classes and attracting exhibitors from across the UK.
Several new sheep classes have also been introduced, including breed classes for Coloured Ryelands and Beltex, alongside new Aged Ewe classes in the Zwartbles, Pure Continental and Any Other British Down/Shortwool categories.
Livestock entries can be made at www.seas.org.uk/competing.
The show provides an important meeting point for farmers, breeders, landowners and rural businesses across the South East. Alongside the competitive livestock programme, hundreds of trade stands will showcase agricultural machinery, livestock equipment, rural services, countryside organisations, and local or independent retailers.
The popular ringside Farmers’ Marquee, hosted by Long Man Brewery, will again serve as a hub for informal networking and discussion throughout the show. On Friday, 5th June, the CLA will host a breakfast event with keynote speaker The Duke of Norfolk, and the CLA’s Rural Excellence Awards will also take place that day.
New for 2026 is the Living Land Theatre, which will focus on current farming, land management and environmental issues affecting the region, while also promoting education and careers in the agricultural sector. Industry experts will deliver talks across the three days, and on Saturday, 6th June, the venue will host a Farming Technical Forum, which will also be streamed live online.
The theatre will provide an interactive space where farmers, students and visitors can speak directly with experts, educators and industry organisations. Key sponsors include Plumpton College, which is celebrating its centenary in 2026, and Virgin Money.
The 2026 show also introduces a new provision for stockman’s catering, with a dedicated marquee providing catering throughout the show from the ever-popular Andrew Laver of All Time Catering Mobile Ltd. The marquee will be open from the pre-show on Thursday evening for dinner (6pm–9pm), and each show day for breakfast (6.30am–10.30am), lunch (12.30pm–3pm), and dinner on Friday (from 6.30pm).
The Stockman’s Dinner will take place at 7pm on Saturday in the Norfolk Pavilion.
Beyond agriculture, the show offers a wide range of countryside attractions for the tens of thousands of visitors who attend each year. For equestrian enthusiasts, top-level showjumping will take place across all three days, alongside the inter-hunt relay, scurry driving and qualifying classes for the London International Horse Show.
The Heavy Horse Village will return for 2026, alongside the Hackney Horse competition (Friday only), the Shetland Pony Grand National and the Horse Shoeing Competition.
The country sports area will host the South of England Hound Show on Friday and Saturday, with gundog, falconry and fishing demonstrations on Sunday, while the South Eastern Vintage Agricultural Club will showcase historic tractors and farm machinery.
Meanwhile, in the Discover the Countryside area, visitors can explore rural skills and careers with land-based colleges, including Plumpton and Brinsbury, and meet organisations such as the Ashdown Forest.
The Squibb Freestyle Stunt Team will be headlining the show with high-octane motocross displays, and other family attractions include children’s cookery workshops, the Sheep Show starring Nobby the Norfolk Horn, axemen displays, giant tortoises, and search and rescue dog displays. Visitors can also step back in time with medieval re-enactments from The Hartley Company, featuring 15th-century living history, demonstrations and battles.
Around the showground, there will also be emergency services displays, a British Army display, model boats, fairground rides, and much more.
Garden lovers can browse the show gardens and plant nurseries, while the Food Hall and Village showcase independent producers, vineyards, microbreweries and local gin distillers alongside street food and homemade treats in the vintage tearoom.
Corrie Ince, Show Director for the South of England Agricultural Society, said:
“Farming is the foundation of the South of England Show, and we are dedicated to providing an event that celebrates the achievements of our farming community while also creating meaningful opportunities for knowledge-sharing, networking and public engagement.
“The introduction of the Living Land Theatre is particularly exciting, as it will highlight the issues facing farmers and land managers today while also championing the many career opportunities available in the sector. We look forward to welcoming farmers, exhibitors and visitors to what promises to be an incredible event.”
Tickets for the South of England Show can be purchased at www.seas.org.uk and cost £25.20 for adults and £23.40 for senior citizens/students, inclusive of a 10% advance discount until 28th May 2026. Children under 16 can enter for free (suggested donation of £2). Due to the number of people on site, restricted livestock areas and potential hot weather, dogs are not recommended.