Everything You Need to Know About Titles and Points for Showing Your Cat at The International Cat Association (TICA) Cat Shows
- Kitten Around
- Jun 16
- 5 min read
Showing a cat through The International Cat Association (TICA) is more than just a fun hobby—it’s a rewarding journey that celebrates the beauty, temperament, and breed standards of your feline companion. Whether you're brand new to the cat fancy or preparing to campaign a promising show cat, understanding how titles and points work is essential for success in the ring.
TICA cat shows operate on a structured title system that recognizes achievement and excellence in conformation, grooming, and overall presentation. Each show is an opportunity to earn points and finals that contribute to your cat's official titles—ranging from Champion all the way up to Supreme Grand Champion. The same applies to altered cats and household pets, each of which has its own unique title path and recognition system.
But it’s not just about ribbons and rosettes. Understanding how titles are earned, how points are calculated, and what judges look for helps you make informed decisions about your show strategy. Knowing the rules and expectations also ensures your experience—whether in person or behind the grooming table—is smooth, ethical, and enjoyable for both you and your cat.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about titles and points in TICA shows, breaking down what it all means, how to succeed, and how to confidently step into the show hall knowing you’re prepared.
Why It Matters: Understanding Titles, Points, and Rules in TICA
Success in TICA shows isn’t just about having a beautiful cat—it’s about knowing the system. From the moment your cat steps into the show ring, judges are evaluating them against specific breed standards, and those evaluations turn into points that help build your cat’s title record. Each title level—Champion, Grand Champion, and beyond—has its own point threshold and final requirements. Missing just one detail could delay a title or cost you valuable recognition.
Understanding how points are awarded, how finals work, and what qualifies your cat for each title gives you a strategic advantage. You’ll be better prepared to track your progress, plan your show season, and avoid the frustration of misunderstandings or missed opportunities. Knowing the rules also ensures fair competition, ethical handling, and a smoother experience for both you and your feline star.
Whether you're showing a pedigreed kitten, a neutered adult, or a beloved household pet, being informed helps you show with confidence—and gives your cat the best possible chance at earning those prestigious rosettes and lifetime titles.
Title Paths by Class: Championship, Alters, and Household Pets
TICA recognizes excellence across three primary show categories, each with its own set of titles, abbreviations, and requirements. Whether your cat is a pedigreed whole cat, an altered companion, or a cherished mixed-breed pet, there’s a path to fame in the show hall.
🏆 Championship Cats (Whole, Intact Pedigreed Cats)
These are pedigreed cats over 8 months of age who are not spayed or neutered. This is the most competitive category, and cats progress through the following titles:
CH – Champion
GRC – Grand Champion
DGC – Double Grand Champion
TGC – Triple Grand Champion
QGC – Quadruple Grand Champion
SGC – Supreme Grand Champion
✂️ Alters (Spayed/Neutered Pedigreed Cats)
Alters follow the same structure as Championship cats but with "Alter" added to each title. They are judged separately and do not compete against whole cats.
CHA – Champion Alter
GCA – Grand Champion Alter
DCHA – Double Grand Champion Alter
TGCA – Triple Grand Champion Alter
QGCA – Quadruple Grand Champion Alter
SGCA – Supreme Grand Champion Alter
🐾 Household Pets (HHPs)
HHPs are non-pedigreed or non-conforming pedigreed cats that are spayed or neutered. This class celebrates personality, grooming, and show presence.
MS – Master
GRM – Grand Master
DGM – Double Grand Master
TGM – Triple Grand Master
QGM – Quadruple Grand Master
SGM – Supreme Grand Master
🧮 How Points Are Calculated in TICA Finals
TICA uses a structured point system based on your cat’s placement in Allbreed or Specialty finals. These points accumulate toward titles like Grand Champion and beyond.
Here’s how it works:
Finals = placements your cat earns in a judge’s Top 10 (Allbreed or Specialty ring).
Points = awarded based on placement and number of cats defeated.
Color & Division points = earned automatically just by entering and competing in your cat’s color and division class.
Example:
If your cat places 1st in an Allbreed Final, it earns 200 points.
If it places 3rd in a Specialty Final, it earns 130 points.
You also receive:
25 points for winning Best of Color and Best of Division
Fewer points for 2nd–5th placements in those classes
Points only count once per judge, so multiple finals from the same judge in a weekend don’t stack.
💡 Tip: You can track your cat’s points by logging into the TICA Online Services Portal and checking your show history.
TICA Championship Cat Show Titles
Title | Points | Finals |
CH/CHA/MS | 300 | 1 final |
GRC/GRCA/GRM | 1000 | 6 finals from 4 different judges, 3 of the 6 finals must be Top 5 Specialty or Top 10 Allbreed |
DGC/ DGCA/DGM | 2000 | 1 additional final as GRC, must be Top 5 Specialty or Top 10 Allbreed Top 10 Allbreed |
TGC/TGCA/TGM | 3000 | 1 additional final as DGC, must be Top 5 Specialty or Top 10 Allbreed Top 10 Allbreed |
QGC/QGCA/QGM | 4000 | 1 additional final as TGC, must be Top 5 Specialty or Top 10 Allbreed Top 10 Allbreed |
SGC/SGCA/SGM | 6000 | Best Cat as QGC (Allbreed or Specialty) Best must occur on 2nd/3rd day if QGC on the 1st day of the show) |
Color and Division Points
Placement | Color Points | Division Points |
Best | 25 | 25 |
2 | 20 | 20 |
3 | 15 | 15 |
4 | 10 | 10 |
5 | 5 | 5 |
Allbreed and Specialty Points
Placement | Allbreed | Specialty |
Best | 200 | 150 |
2 | 190 | 140 |
3 | 180 | 130 |
4 | 170 | 120 |
5 | 160 | 110 |
6 | 150 | 100 |
7 | 140 | 90 |
8 | 130 | 80 |
9 | 120 | 70 |
10 | 110 | 60 |
Additional Titles
🌍 Earning International (IW) and Regional (RW) Winner Titles
To qualify for IW or RW titles, only finals points are counted—plus the number of cats defeated in each final. This is calculated as:
Final Points + (Cat Count – 1)
🚫 Points earned from Color and Division placements do not count toward IW or RW titles.
🏅 Lifetime Achievement (LA) Title
The Lifetime Achievement title honors cats with sustained excellence over time. To earn an LA, a cat must meet the following criteria:
Earn the Supreme Grand Champion title (or equivalent for Alters/HHPs).
Be awarded three IW or RW titles in three separate show years.
Titles can be from any class (Championship, Alter, HHP), but must be earned in different show seasons.
🐾 Breed Winner (BW) Title
The Breed Winner title is awarded to the highest-scoring cat in each breed (or breed division) worldwide each show year. Here's how it works:
The cat must be shown in Championship, Alter, or HHP classes.
The top-scoring Supreme Grand Champion of each breed earns the Breed Winner (BW) title.
Only finals points and cats defeated are counted (just like with IW/RW titles).
Color and division points do not count toward Breed Winner calculations.
This title honors the very best example of each breed shown in TICA that year.
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