Before the Super Bowl takes over Santa Clara tonight, there’s another must-watch showdown warming up the screen. The Puppy Bowl returns for its 22nd year with more dogs, more heart, and more tail-wagging chaos than ever. Puppy Bowl 2026 is bringing together 150 adoptable pups from shelters across the United States and beyond for a feel-good pregame tradition that’s become just as beloved as the big game itself.
What Is the Puppy Bowl?
This is an annual event, which “celebrates the spirit of the underdog.” This is the 22nd edition and will feature a record-breaking 150 dogs, including 15 special needs dogs, from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands.
According to Warner Bros., this is a “three-hour sports spectacular.” It will “feature heartwarming adoption stories and show-stopping matchups.” Referee Dan Schachner will be returning for his 15th year of overseeing the action, “ensuring fair play as these furry athletes compete for championship glory and their forever homes.”
The Puppy Bowl 2026 will feature sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks providing “paw-by-paw” commentary. The game is extremely cute chaos, as they try to raise money and awareness for shelters across the country.
When Is Puppy Bowl 2026?
For the Puppy Bowl, it will kick off at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, February 8. This will be a three-hour event.
Before Puppy Bowl 2026 kicks off, there will be an hour-long pregame show. This kickoff show will air at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT, and Schachner and lead puppy trainer Victoria Schade will be leading the pre-game show.
Schachner and Schade will scout “ten prospects on the all-new practice field, testing their mettle in a Puppy Combine before selecting the top pick in the Puppy Bowl Draft.” These top picks will join Team Ruff or Team Fluff, which happens to be the defending champions.
The Teams on Puppy Bowl
Team Fluff and Team Ruff will compete, with the winner taking home the Walmart “Lombarky” trophy. Here are some of the puppies on each team:
- Team Fluff – Benito, a Siberian Husky-Chihuahua from Puerto Rico, and Showgirl, a Chow Chow-Rottweiler.
- Team Ruff – Lobster Roll, a bulldog-border collie; Brûlée, a Boston Terrier-French Bulldog; and Miso, an American Cattle Dog-Beagle.
These puppies will also be competing for the prestigious MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title and Underdog Award.
Warner Bros. said the event will feature 15 special needs dogs. In one segment, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir will train Button, a Boston Terrier-Beagle, from a New York state shelter.
How to Watch the Puppy Bowl 2024
To watch Puppy Bowl 2026, you will be able to watch on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and truTV. If you are looking to stream the action, you can now stream using Discovery+, HBO Max, and Fubo.
The senior dogs will get some time in the spotlight, as a special exhibition game will take place during halftime of the Puppy Bowl. All of the dogs taking part in Puppy Bowl will be available for adoption. However, some may have already found their forever home by the time this event airs.
Puppy Bowl 2026 kicks off at 2 p.m. ET with the Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show starting at 1 p.m. ET.
