Dates/Times
Date(s) - 17 Jul 2026 until 19 Jul 2026
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Bendigo Exhibition Centre
42-72 Holmes Road
Bendigo North Victoria 3550
Australia
Contact Details
Contact: Patrick Falconer
T: 03 5443 9902 | Email | Website
The Australian Sheep & Wool Show (Sheep Show) is the largest event of its type in the world
The Australian Sheep & Wool Show also known as The Sheep Show is where sheep and wool growers will find out what industry changes are happening now and also get a glimpse into the future at the ASWS event from Friday to Sunday 17 to 19 July 2026
Sheep and wool producers have already marked this date down, 17 to 19 July 2026, where they will see more than 3000 sheep including 30-plus breeds along with 30,000-plus show attendees including over 5000 farmers and over 400 trade stallholders.
Nothing else comes close to this event, The Australian Sheep & Wool Show has gained a reputation as being the largest exhibition of its type in the world.
The Victorian regional centre of Bendigo VIC is the permanent venue as it’s considered a geographical mid-point for farmers across the main sheep-producing areas and has been the home of The Australian Sheep & Wool Show (The Sheep Show) since 1999.
And while sheep breeders along with industry participants gather each year in the Victorian regional city of Bendigo to watch the country’s ‘best of the best’ sheep breeders compete, there is also plenty to celebrate, including fibre, fashion, all riding on the back of the mighty Australian sheep
Highlights at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show 2026
If you want to know what’s going on in the sheep and wool industry for now and into the future you will find it all at the ASWS event in July 2026
The Sheep Show opening times for the 17 to 19 July 2026 are, Friday 9am – 5pm, Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 9am – 4pm with the Merino Ram Sale on Sunday from 1pm – 3pm
This record-breaking event for the sheep industry event, the ASWS, will be held at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds located at 42-72 Holmes Road North Bendigo VIC.
The feature breed for 2026 is the English Leicester, a breed that has played a pivotal role in the development of many modern breeds.
Intense action is assured in the shearing shed, where the Northern Shears competition opens the sporting season and also serves as the only qualification event for the Victorian Shearing and Wool Handling Championships final the following day.
And on the main arena, working dogs and their handlers will showcase their incredible bond and herding skills during the Central Victorian Yard Dog Championships.
Several networking opportunities are available throughout the ASWS, including the Stud Masters Muster on Friday night with the Sponsors and Breeders Cocktail Party on Saturday evening, when the Grand Champion fleece award will be announced, and the Women of Wool lunch on Friday.
While tomorrow’s industry leaders can be inspired by the Careers and Technology Hub, which focuses on job opportunities and innovative practices and includes keynote addresses by many leaders in the field.
Other highlights include live merino and dorper ram sales; twice-daily fashion parades in the Noble Pavilion running on Friday at 11am and 3pm; and both Saturday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm.
In addition, make sure you catch Australia’s largest fibre market exhibition, and the creative genius of Woolcraft Competition entrants, with the theme The World Through Textiles.
About 400 sites will be highlighted around the venue, including over 300 focussed on food, fashion, gifts and homewares. This is alongside 50-plus livestock displays and another 50 exhibits featuring agricultural trade products and services.
This event is where people come to showcase and benchmark against the rest of Australia. And the ASWS can’t wait to welcome everyone back.
Visitors will see Australia’s best Merinos on display, with the champions from each state vying for the honour of being named the national winner. The grand champions will be announced on Friday and will take home a much coveted $5000 prize sponsored by Riverina Wool.
The Australian Sheep and Wool Show is on at the Prince of Wales Showground in Bendigo from 17 to 19 July 2026. Tickets are available on this link, starting at $26 for adults and $17 for concessions and students aged 16+. Children 15 and under are free.
For anyone wanting to exhibit, view the options available on this link. See the full Australian Sheep and Wool Show program on this link.
Location
Bendigo Exhibition Centre, Prince of Wales Showground
42-72 Holmes Road Bendigo North 3550
Join us in Bendigo for the largest event of its type in the world, as the ‘best of best’ sheep breeders compete and some of the country’s most passionate food, fashion and fibre lovers gather to celebrate the mighty Australian sheep. Come and join us!
Show Dates 2026
Friday to Saturday 17 to 19 July
The Sheep Show open times 2026
9am – 5pm Friday and Saturday
9am – 4pm Sunday
Merino Ram Sale Sunday 1pm – 3pm
Tickets
$26 for adults and $17 for concessions.
Children under 15 are free.
Family pass 3 days $160.00
Adult pass 3 days $65.00
Aged & Disability pass 3 days $40.00
Student (15+) pass 3 days $65.00
Car parking 3 days $33.00
Tour groups of 20 or more – $15.00 per head (Not available online. Group ticketing can be purchased via email to ceo@sheepshow.com or on arrival at the entry gate.)
Contact: Stephenie Rigney
Tel: 03 5443 9902
Fax: 03 5443 9354
Email: ceo@sheepshow.com