Super Bowl Sunday offers more than just football. The Puppy Bowl gives dog lovers three hours of adorable entertainment featuring 150 rescue puppies competing for the Lombarky Trophy. This year marks the 22nd edition of this beloved tradition with a special halftime show featuring senior dogs for the first time ever.
Every puppy in the competition comes from animal shelters across America. The event helps thousands of dogs find forever homes each year. Team Ruff faces Team Fluff on February 8 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time across four major networks.
This guide covers everything you need to know about watching Puppy Bowl XXII including exact start times, streaming options and the complete lineup.
Where is the Puppy Bowl 2026?
The Puppy Bowl takes place on a custom-built miniature football field designed just for puppies. Warner Bros. Discovery films the event in advance at a controlled studio environment with veterinarians monitoring every puppy throughout production.
You cannot attend the filming since producers record the show weeks before it airs. Best Friends Animal Society hosts watch parties in Houston and Kanab where fans can meet adoptable dogs while enjoying the broadcast.
When is the Puppy Bowl 2026?
Puppy Bowl XXII airs on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The date matches Super Bowl Sunday to give viewers a fun alternative to pre-game shows. The event has grown from 6 million viewers in 2005 to 12.8 million viewers in 2025.
The timing works perfectly for fans who want both events. Puppy Bowl ends at 5:00 PM Eastern Time while Super Bowl LX starts at 6:30 PM on NBC. You get ninety minutes between events to grab dinner or take a break.
What Time Does the Puppy Bowl 2026 Start?
Puppy Bowl XXII kicks off at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on February 8, 2026. The West Coast watches at 11:00 AM Pacific Time. The main event runs for three full hours until 5:00 PM Eastern.
Tune in one hour early for the Puppy Combine pregame show at 1:00 PM Eastern. Ten puppies run through practice drills and compete for draft positions.
Puppy Bowl 2026 Start Times in U.S. Time Zones
| Time Zone | Start Time | Pregame Show |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern | 2:00 PM | 1:00 PM |
| Central | 1:00 PM | 12:00 PM |
| Mountain | 12:00 PM | 11:00 AM |
| Pacific | 11:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Alaska | 10:00 AM | 9:00 AM |
| Hawaii | 9:00 AM | 8:00 AM |
Puppy Bowl 2026 Start Times in Different Countries
| Country/Region | Start Time | Day |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 7:00 PM GMT | Sunday, Feb 8 |
| Canada (Eastern) | 2:00 PM ET | Sunday, Feb 8 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 6:00 AM AEDT | Monday, Feb 9 |
| Philippines | 3:00 AM PHT | Monday, Feb 9 |
| Germany | 8:00 PM CET | Sunday, Feb 8 |
Streaming availability varies by country. Check whether HBO Max or Discovery Plus operates in your region.
Sunday Puppy Bowl XXII Schedule
- 1:00 PM ET – Puppy Combine pregame show begins on Animal Planet
- 2:00 PM ET – Puppy Bowl XXII kickoff with referee Dan Schachner
- Halftime – Senior dog exhibition (Team Oldies vs Team Goldies) plus Kitty Halftime Show
- Second Half – Pupularity Playoffs featuring sixteen Starting Line Up players
- 5:00 PM ET – Lombarky Trophy presentation and BISSELL Most Valuable Puppy award
- 6:30 PM ET – Super Bowl LX begins on NBC (Seahawks vs Patriots)
What Channel is the Puppy Bowl on Today?
Puppy Bowl XXII airs on four networks simultaneously:
- Animal Planet (main broadcast channel)
- Discovery Channel
- TBS
- truTV
All four channels show identical broadcasts. Pick whichever network appears in your cable lineup. Channel numbers vary by provider but most cable and satellite services carry at least one of these options.
How to Watch the Puppy Bowl 2026 Online?
| Streaming Service | Monthly Cost | Free Trial | Puppy Bowl Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| HBO Max | $10.99 – $16.99 | 7 days (via Hulu/Amazon) | All networks |
| Discovery Plus | Varies | Available | Discovery, Animal Planet |
| YouTube TV | $82.99 | 21 days | Animal Planet, TBS, truTV |
| Fubo | $84.99+ | 7 days | Animal Planet, Discovery |
| Hulu + Live TV | $89.99 | Available | All four channels |
Best streaming options:
- Puppy Bowl only – HBO Max 7-day trial through Hulu or Amazon
- Both Puppy Bowl and Super Bowl – YouTube TV (includes NBC)
- Budget option – Use free trials and cancel before billing
Remember to cancel free trials before the billing period to avoid charges.
Who’s Hosting Puppy Bowl 2026?
Dan Schachner returns as referee for his 15th year. Steve Levy handles play-by-play commentary while Taylor Rooks provides analysis. Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir appears in a special segment sharing his dog adoption story.
Puppy Bowl 2026 Lineup
Puppy Bowl XXII features 150 puppies from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands. Team Ruff faces Team Fluff in the main competition.
Notable players include:
- Chappell Bone (Pembroke Welsh Corgi)
- Josh Howlin’ (Beagle mix)
- Devon-tails Smith (German Shepherd)
- Dottie (Dalmatian)
- Benito (Puerto Rican rescue from The Sato Project)
- Foggy (San Francisco SPCA – first SF competitor)
- Miss Coco (American Staffordshire Terrier/Chow mix)
- Brûlée (Deaf Boston Terrier/French Bulldog mix)
The Pupularity Playoffs feature sixteen Starting Line Up players competing for Most Pupular honors. Visit PuppyBowl.com for complete player profiles and team assignments.
What’s New in Puppy Bowl 2026?
The first-ever senior dog halftime show debuts this year. Team Oldies faces Team Goldies in the Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown proving older dogs have energy and deserve adoption consideration. Shelters often overlook senior dogs even though they come house-trained with calmer temperaments.
Fifteen special needs puppies compete in the main event. The broadcast features Pup Close and Personal segments sharing emotional backstories. The record 150 puppies represent more shelters than ever before.
Puppy Bowl 2026 Adoption Events
Best Friends Animal Society partners with Puppy Bowl for the third year. The organization waives pet adoption fees from February 2 through February 9 with fees up to $150 covered.
Free adoption locations:
- Houston, Texas
- Los Angeles, California
- New York City, New York
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Northwest Arkansas
- Kanab, Utah (Best Friends sanctuary)
Watch party events:
- Saint Arnold Brewing Company (Houston) – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Best Friends Roadhouse (Kanab) – 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Seven million Americans bring home new pets each year. Just 6% more people choosing adoption over breeders could end shelter killings nationwide. Visit bestfriends.org/puppybowl for participating locations.
Puppy Bowl Rules & How It Works
Puppies score touchdowns by carrying toys across any goal line. The game follows a quarters format like real football. Referee Dan Schachner gently calls penalties when needed.
Producers film the event weeks in advance ensuring puppy safety and comfort. Handlers monitor all participants with veterinarians on standby. Frequent potty breaks and nap times happen throughout filming.
The winning team receives the Lombarky Trophy. One special player earns the BISSELL Most Valuable Puppy award based on athleticism, personality and adoption appeal.
Puppy Bowl History & Stats
Animal Planet launched Puppy Bowl in 2005 as Super Bowl counter-programming. The first broadcast attracted nearly 6 million viewers. Last year’s edition drew 12.8 million viewers exceeding the recent Golden Globes audience of 8.66 million.
Thousands of shelter dogs have found homes through Puppy Bowl exposure over 22 years. Warner Bros. Discovery produces the show with All3Media America and Bright Spot Content.
Who Won the Puppy Bowl 2025?
Team Fluff claimed victory in Puppy Bowl XXI with a thrilling 68-66 win over Team Ruff. Paws Allen, a Labrador Retriever mix from Buffalo, New York scored the game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. Foxtrot, a Border Collie mix from Team Ruff, earned Most Valuable Puppy honors despite his team’s loss. The 2025 edition featured 142 puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries with nearly all participants finding adoptive homes.
Puppy Bowl 2026 FAQs
Are the Puppy Bowl puppies trained?
No formal training is required for Puppy Bowl participants. The show celebrates natural puppy behavior and energy. Handlers guide puppies gently but do not script their actions.
What happens to puppies that don’t get adopted during Puppy Bowl?
Puppies return to their original shelters where adoption efforts continue. The Puppy Bowl exposure significantly increases their chances of finding homes in the weeks and months following the broadcast.
Can I attend Puppy Bowl filming in person?
The filming is not open to the public since producers record weeks in advance. You can attend watch parties hosted by Best Friends Animal Society in select cities.
Do Puppy Bowl puppies get paid?
Puppies receive no payment for participating. Shelters gain valuable exposure and often receive donations after the broadcast. Warner Bros. Discovery covers all production costs.
Has any Puppy Bowl player become famous?
Many Puppy Bowl alumni become local celebrities in their communities. Some appear in follow-up segments showing their lives after adoption. Success stories get featured on PuppyBowl.com throughout the year.
What breeds are most common in Puppy Bowl?
Mixed breeds dominate the roster since most shelter dogs are mixes. All breeds and sizes are eligible with puppies typically under one year old.
Puppy Bowl XXII airs February 8 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS and truTV. Stream online through HBO Max, Discovery Plus or YouTube TV. Consider adopting a shelter pet and enjoy the cutest competition on television.
