🐾 UpDog International Finals Comes to Clemmons

If you’ve driven past Tanglewood Park recently and had no idea a world-class event is about to take over… you’re not alone.

From April 8–12, 2026, the UpDog International Finals—one of the largest disc dog competitions in the world—is landing right here in Clemmons. And most locals have no clue what it actually is.

Let’s fix that.

🐶 So… What Is UpDog?

At its core, the UpDog Challenge is a competitive dog sport league built around frisbee-style games—but this is NOT your backyard game of fetch.

It’s fast. It’s strategic. And it’s insanely fun to watch.

Handlers (that’s the human) and their dogs compete as a team in a variety of timed, point-based events that test:

• Speed ⚡

• Accuracy 🎯

• Athleticism 🐕

• Teamwork 🤝

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Each game has different rules, scoring systems, and objectives. Some are about distance throws, others about obstacle navigation, and some even incorporate freestyle routines choreographed to music.

🎯 What Do the Dogs Actually Do?

There isn’t just one “game”—there are multiple disciplines played throughout the event.

Some examples include:

• ThrowNGo – rapid-fire throws where dogs rack up points by catching discs at different distances

• Frizgility – a mix of agility (think obstacles) and disc catching

• Time Warp – a fast-paced challenge requiring multiple catches in specific zones under time pressure (American Kennel Club)

• Freestyle – choreographed routines combining tricks, jumps, and throws

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Scoring is based on things like distance, accuracy, successful catches, and completion of challenges. In some events, longer catches are worth more points—for example, throws caught further downfield score higher. (Dog Sport Competition For Everyone)

Bottom line: these dogs are elite athletes.

🌎 Why This Event Is a Big Deal

The UpDog International Finals isn’t just another local event—it’s the championship-level finale of a global competition.

• Teams qualify all year long at sanctioned events

• Only top-performing teams earn their way to the Finals (Dog Sport Competition For Everyone)

• Competitors travel from across the U.S. and internationally

This event has grown into a multi-day competition (3–5 days) featuring every official UpDog game and awarding top teams in each category. (Dog Sport Competition For Everyone)

In past years, it’s been described as one of the largest disc dog events in the world, drawing elite competitors and spectators alike. (SportsEvents Magazine)

👀 What It’s Like to Attend

Here’s the best part: you don’t need to know anything about the sport to enjoy it.

• It’s typically free to attend and open to the public (Dog Sport Competition For Everyone)

• Events run throughout the day (morning into afternoon)

• You can drop in anytime and watch different games happening

Expect:

• Dogs flying through the air catching discs mid-jump

• High-energy competition with announcers and scoring

• A super relaxed, family-friendly vibe

• Tons of dogs (obviously)

Whether you’re a dog lover, a parent looking for something different to do, or just want to check out something unique happening locally—this is worth seeing.

📍 Why This Matters for Lewisville-Clemmons

We talk a lot about “things to do” around here—but it’s rare to get a national-level sporting event in our backyard.

And this one? It’s:

• Unique (you won’t see this every weekend)

• Family-friendly

• Completely different from your typical local event

• Most people will miss it simply because they don’t know what it is.

Now you do.

🐕 Final Take

The UpDog International Finals is basically the Super Bowl of dog frisbee sports—and it’s happening right here at Tanglewood.

Even if you just swing by for an hour, it’s one of those events you’ll walk away saying:

“I had no idea this was even a thing… that was awesome.”

And honestly—that’s what makes it perfect for the WeLove Lewisville-Clemmons community.