Get Ready for the Biggest Puppy Bowl XXII on Animal Planet 2026
Puppy Bowl is back for another competition in cuteness.
The longest running call-to-adoption television event returns for its 22nd year on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. Will simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max and discovery+.
This year's sports spectacular includes 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. That's a new record.
Team Fluff vs. Team Ruff
Watch the reigning champions of Team Fluff send their players to defend their title. The roster includes Benito, a Siberian Husky-Chihuahua from Puerto Rico. Showgirl, a Chow Chow-Rottweiler. Chappell Bone, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
Team Ruff is coming for that trophy though. Their lineup features Lobster Roll, a Bulldog-Border Collie. Brûlée, a Boston Terrier-French Bulldog. Miso, an American Cattle Dog-Beagle.
Winner gets the coveted "Lombarky" trophy. Yes, that's actually what they call it.
Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will provide play-by-play commentary as the pups compete. They'll treat it like a real sporting event, which is part of the charm.
Senior Dogs Get Their Own Game
For the first time ever, Puppy Bowl XXII will debut a special exhibition game with senior dogs as Team Oldies and Team Goldies.
It’s about time the older dogs got some spotlight. Puppies are cute, but senior dogs deserve love too. They're often harder to adopt out because everyone wants puppies, so giving them airtime during the biggest dog event of the year might actually help some of them find homes.
The Adoption Angle
The adoption segments are the real point of this whole thing. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir will train one special dog and share his personal story on the importance of adoption.
Every dog featured in Puppy Bowl comes from a shelter or rescue. All of them are adoptable. The whole event is designed to promote pet adoption and shine a spotlight on shelter animals who need homes.
For heartwarming adoption stories and adorable matchups, Puppy Bowl delivers. It's not just cute dogs running around. It's cute dogs running around who all need families.
How to Watch
Puppy Bowl XXII premieres Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. ET/11:00 a.m. PT. It’s available across multiple networks and streaming platforms, so you've got options.
The Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show airs right before the big game at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. It gets you warmed up for the main event.
For more information on this year's pups, to meet the players and view their photos, and to vote on which pup should win the Walmart and Pedigree Pupularity Playoffs, visit PuppyBowl.com.
Join the conversation on social media with #PuppyBowl. Follow Animal Planet on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok. Puppy Bowl has its own Facebook page too.
For the Love of Dogs
Puppy Bowl has been running for 22 years now, which is longer than some actual sports leagues. It started as counter-programming to the Super Bowl and turned into its own beloved tradition.
This year brings 150 dogs from 72 shelters, the most ever. Every single one of them is available for adoption. That's the whole point. Get people to watch adorable puppies play "football" and hopefully convince them to adopt instead of shop.
The senior dog exhibition game is new and honestly a great addition. Older dogs have a harder time getting adopted. People see gray muzzles and assume the dog is at the end of their life, but plenty of senior dogs have years left and make amazing pets. They have less energy than puppies, are already trained, and pretty much just want to chill on the couch with you.
Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks doing serious sports commentary on puppies tumbling around is peak absurdity in the best way. They'll call plays, discuss strategies, analyze performance like these are professional athletes instead of shelter dogs who just learned their names last week.
Team names like "Team Fluff" and "Team Ruff" fighting for the "Lombarky" trophy. Dog puns everywhere. Individual dogs with names like Lobster Roll and Brûlée competing alongside Chappell Bone, which is obviously a Chappell Roan reference.
It's silly. It's wholesome. It's effective at getting shelter dogs adopted. Win-win all around.
Mark your calendars for February 8. Whether you're avoiding the Super Bowl or just love dogs more than football, Puppy Bowl delivers exactly what it promises—cute dogs, adoption stories, and a few hours of pure wholesomeness.