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The biggest game of the year is almost here! No, not the Super Bowl. We’re talking about the Puppy Bowl, the annual showdown between Team Ruff and Team Fluff. This year’s game will feature nearly 150 rescue puppies from 80 different shelters across 40 states (and two countries) as they compete in the ultra-cute competition that aims to draw attention to the work of rescues and the importance of animal adoption.  

Puppy Bowl XXI airs Feb. 9 

Puppy Bowl XXI will air Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT. The big event will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and truTV. You can stream it on Max and discovery+. Ahead of the event, Animal Planet will air the Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff at 1 p.m. ET/ 10 a.m. PT. 

“Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl serves as an annual pop culture programming event that continues to expand in reach, awareness and of course, puppies, every year,” said Howard Lee, chief creative officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks. “Win or lose, Puppy Bowl XXI will have the cutest players in the game on Sunday, Feb. 9 and will inspire families across the country to adopt a new furry friend.” 

Dan Schachner will serve as referee as the pup players take the field. This year’s roster includes Julep, the game’s first-ever St. Bernard mix, and Smoosh, the Puppy Bowl’s only Pekingese, who are playing for Team Fluff. Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihauahua, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd from Nicaragua, are among those competing for Team Ruff. Each team will go head-to-head as they fight for the coveted “Lombarky” trophy. Meanwhile, the dogs will compete to be named the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) and take home the Subaru Underdog Award. 

Derrick Nnadi of the Kansas City Chiefs visits the Humane Society 

Side-by-side photos for a blue-eyed puppy dark fur and a puppy with golden fur who will compete in Puppy Bowl XXI
Parsnip of Team Ruff and Penny of Team Fluff from Puppy Bowl XXI | Warner Bros. Discovery
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The Puppy Bowl is all about encouraging people to adopt rescue dogs. The game will spotlight 11 special needs pups, including Jolene, an American Pit bull terrier-mix competing in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix. 

Dan Smyers of country group Dan + Shay will bring a rescue puppy from Wags & Walks Nashville backstage at one of his concerts for some socialization. Plus, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi and his girlfriend, Nani, will visit The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. They’ll help train Parsnip, a rescue Pit bull-mix about to compete in the games. 

Those who tune in to the 21st Puppy Bowl will also see a special sneak peek of Superman, which opens in theaters on July 11. Writer and director James Gunn will also deliver a special message with his dog Ozu, who serves as the inspiration for the movie’s character Krypto. 

Of course, i’s not just dogs needing adoption. The 2025 Puppy Bowl will also highlight some adoptable cats during the Kitty Halftime Show. 

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