Puppy Bowl XXII, the annual adoption-focused event pitting Team Ruff against Team Fluff, airs on February 8, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET ahead of Super Bowl LX. The lineup features 150 adoptable dogs from 72 shelters across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, including 15 with special needs. All participants are available for adoption, highlighting rescue efforts.
The Puppy Bowl XXII kicks off on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, with preshow coverage starting at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT. Broadcast on Animal Planet, it simulcasts on Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and discovery+. Referee Dan Schachner returns to oversee the playful competition between Team Ruff and defending champions Team Fluff.
This year's event showcases 150 dogs, a record number, sourced from 72 shelters. Among the starting lineup are standout players like Brûlée, a deaf Boston Terrier and French Bulldog mix described as having a "spirited personality and touchdown potential"; RuPaw, a bold Boston Terrier inspired by RuPaul; Chappell Bone, a lively Pembroke Welsh Corgi named after Chappell Roan; and Benito, a confident Siberian Husky-Chihuahua mix honoring Bad Bunny, the Super Bowl halftime performer. Other notable dogs include Carrie Pawshaw, an elegant Elkhound and American Eskimo mix; Lobster Roll, a motivated Bulldog and Border Collie mix on Team Ruff; and Wynonna, a three-legged Miniature American Shepherd and Shih Tzu mix embodying resilience.
The event emphasizes adoption, with all dogs available through their respective shelters. Last year's Puppy Bowl drew nearly 13 million viewers, its highest rating ever, and organizers hope for even more this time. Streaming options include DirecTV's 5-day free trial, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV for cord-cutters.
A special halftime segment features senior dogs, including Moonie, a Chihuahua fostered by influencer Isabel Klee (@simonsits), who appears in a pre-taped interview sharing her fostering journey. Klee, with nearly 2 million followers, advocates for supporting open-intake shelters to aid animal welfare.
