The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race® is open to dog mushers across the world who meet the entry qualifications set by the Iditarod Trail Committee’s Board of Directors.
In recognizing the skill, experience, financial resources, and geographic diversity of mushers, the Committee remains committed to ensuring the safety of participants, the humane treatment of sled dogs, and the fair and orderly conduct of the race. With these principles in mind, the Iditarod Trail Committee supports a race structure that allows as many qualified mushers as possible the opportunity to compete.
The goal of the race is to determine which team—musher and dogs—can complete the trail in the shortest time, relying solely on their own power and endurance, without outside assistance. Victory is marked by the nose of the lead dog crossing the finish line first. To uphold this vision, the Iditarod Trail Committee has established the following rules and policies to guide the race.
Whether you are a first time Rookie or a return Veteran, please click below for the Official Rules of the 2026 Iditarod and review all of the below information prior to submitting your application.
Enter the 2026 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
Entries for 2026 will be officially accepted starting on Saturday, June 28, 2025
Applications for 2026 will be officially accepted starting on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The Iditarod Application forms can be submitted online (preferred) or downloaded, completed and emailed to sszelag@iditarod.com.
Applications may also be faxed to (907) 373-6998, or mailed to Iditarod Trail Committee, 2100 S. Knik-Goose Bay Rd., Wasilla, AK, 99654.
Registration Process
- Download and Submit or Register Online the required Entrant forms
- Pay Registration Fee
- Submit additional forms when required
To be considered an official entrant, the required entrant forms listed below and payment must be completed. Be sure to get your paperwork into the office well ahead of deadlines. Forms are reviewed and updated, as necessary, on an annual basis.
Forms may be downloaded from the links below and submitted via mail, fax, or email or submitted online.
1. Required Entry Forms:
Submit Online
- RACE APPLICATION
- MUSHER RELEASE
- KENNEL STANDARDS AGREEMENT
- NOME HOUSING REQUEST FORM
- W9 FORM – (Download to fill out and fax (907) 373-6998, mail or email to sszelag@iditarod.com)
Download and Submit
Rookie Iditarod Mushers
Rookie Musher Requirements for Iditarod Qualification
If you’re a rookie musher planning to enter the Iditarod, you must complete three approved qualifying races:
-
Two (2) races of 300 miles or more
-
One (1) race of 150 miles or more
Note: Completing the Yukon Quest satisfies all qualifying race requirements.
Race Report Cards:
You are responsible for informing race officials before the race starts that you are using the event as an Iditarod qualifier and will need a report card completed. The completed report card must be submitted to the Iditarod office within 10 days of the race’s end. The Form can be found here: REPORT CARD PDF
Rookie Reference:
You must also submit a rookie reference from a musher who has completed the Iditarod and is familiar with your mushing skills. You can fill this out here: ROOKIE REFERENCE PDF
Follow-Up:
Contact the Iditarod office within one month of completing your qualifiers to confirm that all required documents—including report cards and rookie reference—have been received. If not, it’s your responsibility to follow up with the race organizations.
All rookie application materials, including report cards and reference forms, must be submitted to: sszelag@iditarod.com
2. Pay Registration Fee
Fees are as follows, based on dates:
- $2k from opening day through November 28, 2025, 11:59pm AKDT (past champions pay $1950)
- Inaugural Iditarod Expedition Musher, Kjell Inge Røkke, is generously donating $2,000 to each musher who signs up by the end of the day on November 28, 2025.
- $8k after November 28, 2025
Pay via phone, please call 907-376-5155 X-100.
Check payment status on your My Account page here.
- This agreement includes all aspects of dog care for Return dogs including your Local Contacts.
- This is due Monday, February 2 nd , 2026.
- The DCA requires multiple signatures from multiple parties, please initiate early.
5. COMPLETE the Veterinary Pre-Race Paperwork packet.
Print and complete the below PDF forms a – c. Please read the pre-race veterinarian letter closely as this is the guide for your veterinarian performing the exams. All parts a – d below are due by the Official Race Vet Check Day on Wednesday, March 4 th , 2026.
a) SIGNED PRE-RACE VETERINARY LETTER
b) PRE-RACE EXAM FORMS (1 per dog)
c) MICROCHIP IDENTIFICATION SHEET
d) Verification of Deworming (to be handed to you at your pre-race ECG program)
6. Review Veterinary Musher Materials - 2026 Updated Materials Coming Soon
- DOG DRUG TESTING MANUAL PDF (any updates will be released by January 2026)
- RETURNED DOG MANUAL PDF (2026 Updated Version Coming Soon)
Additional Forms
Sponsors and Membership Forms
These forms are not required to be considered an official entrant. For inclusion in the Race Guide, we must have your sponsors turned in by December 12, 2025. The Iditarod Membership should be turned in as soon as possible to be sure your membership is updated.
**FOR QUESTIONS OR HELP**
- If you have questions about emailed/faxed/mailed forms to HQ, contact Starre Szeleg at sszelag@iditarod.com
- If you have questions about the the veterinary program, contact Dr. Erika Friedrich at erika.friedrich@iditarod.com.
