The Venue
Out next event is Saturday 12 September 2026
The NEC Birmimgham, Hall 3
10:00am to 5pm. VIP and disabled access from 9am. Please note the Cat Village will be restricted at certain times in the day. We recommend you coming for the whole day to get the most out of your experience!
The NEC is easily reached by all forms of transport. More information on all of these is at https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/getting-here/
Yes – we advise pre-booking to ensure you have a parking spot – and you will save £5 as well (see https://www.thenec.co.uk/visitors/parking/ for details)
Yes – we advise you to book this in advance. The NEC has made a useful video to explain what to expect: https://youtu.be/h5a4WUelb8s
Yes we do! Please see below:
Tickets
Adults – £35, Child – (5-16yrs) £27, Under 5s – free
Family (2 adults, 2 children): £97
Concessionary prices for Senior Citizens and Carer’s available
Please visit https://thecatshowlive.co.uk/tickets/ to book your tickets.
There is plenty to see and do all day. There are no extra charges to enter any of the Cat Show Live areas once you are in the hall with several features including packs / competitions to keep children occupied. All theatre talks are included in your ticket price (subject to availability).
We have a fixed limit on the number of visitors who can attend, so there is no guarantee that tickets will still be available on the day. To avoid disappointment on the day please pre-book your tickets at: https://thecatshowlive.co.uk/tickets/
All tickets can be re downloaded from the ticket portal. In the event you cannot access or retrieve your ticket please contact event@thecatshowlive.com
For everyone’s health and safety, please stay at home and recuperate. Unfortunately, we can’t offer refunds, but you can pass your ticket onto a family member or a friend for them to use instead.
The Cat Show Live will return in 2026 and beyond on an annual basis.
In the hall
No, but Security will do random bag checks.
Flash photography is not permitted within The Cat Village.
Most owners will be happy about you taking photographs or videos of their cat, but it is polite to ask permission first.
Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout the event by our event photography team. These will be used for marketing and publicity in our advertising, on the website and in social media or in any third-party publication. Please contact the event organiser if you have any concerns or if you wish to be exempted from this activity by emailing sam@thecatshowlive.com
Yes – we have designed our aisles to be wide to easily accommodate wheelchairs and mobility scooters
Whilst we recognise that your Assistance Dog can accompany you everywhere at the NEC and in the show hall we would value and ask for your cooperation when visiting The Cat Village.
Due to the increased risk of any of our cats not being comfortable or familiar with dogs (which could result in unpredictable reactions), we have a team of volunteers who are happy to look after your Assistance Dog whilst you enjoy visiting our cats in The Cat Village. We see this as managing any risk that may occur when two species meet in unfamiliar circumstances. Please go to the Customer Services Desk on arrival to arrange this.
We will provide a quiet space for your Assistance Dog to rest in with one of our volunteers and we will have fresh water available for their comfort.
Please visit the Customer Services desk to collect your Children’s Packs, enter the treasure hunt and for our young teenagers ask about the ‘epic’ social media competition to win prizes.
There will be a number of human food and drink options in the hall. Alternatively the NEC has a number of food and drink outlets just outside in the Piazza. Check out the options nearer the time at: https://eat.thenec.co.uk/. You can also bring your own picnic.
Please visit The Cat Village section of our web site (https://thecatshowlive.co.uk/the-cat-village/) to see the breeds attending this event
No – only pre-booked cats into The Cat Village can attend. Please leave your own kitty at home – instead find some nice treats for them in Retail Avenue!
All cats will be used to events like this. They will be comfortable and used to travelling. Many will be happy to sit outside their pen to meet you and some may even be on their harness and moving around. We ask you make sure you read our guidelines for visitors on entry. Please look at how they interact with their owners and the public to be assured they are enjoying their day out as much as you are enjoying meeting them
Yes – with the owner’s permission and under their guidance. There are some simple guidelines that we will issue to each visitor (for example, don’t poke fingers into the cages or disturb a sleeping cat)
Sorry but no cats can be sold/adopted/re-homed at the show. For pedigree cats, this is an ideal opportunity to do your research in advance of any purchase decision.
You can also register your interest in adopting a cat from a cat charity or rescue by scanning the QR codes displayed in Hope Avenue.
We have a number of cat food stalls booked in. Please check with each supplier to check what food they will be stocking on the day: https://thecatshowlive.co.uk/retail-avenue-2/food/
Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service will provide “On Call” cover for this event via their Out of Hours Service. In an emergency patients will be required to attend the hospital located at:
Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service
Highlands Road
Shirley
Solihull
B90 4NH
In an emergency contact the hospital on 0121 712 7070
Our Team will then advise you further and arrange an appointment at the hospital. Due to the Emergency nature of the service on occasion you may face a short wait, we always endeavour to triage and treat our patients based on the nature of their injury or illness.
Our out of hours consultations costs for any show attendees requiring assistance during the event are:
£285.00*
*Any medications / additional costs required will be thoroughly discussed by our team prior to treatment.
