Get ready for the most adorable sporting event of the year. Puppy Bowl XXII is bringing together 150 rescue puppies for three hours of tail-wagging competition that'll melt your heart while supporting a great cause. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to this fuzzy phenomenon, here's everything you need to know about tuning in this February.
Mark your calendars for Sunday, February 8, 2026. The main event kicks off at 2PM ET (11AM PT) and runs for three full hours of puppy pandemonium. If you want to catch all the pre-game excitement, tune in an hour early at 1PM ET (10AM PT) for the pregame show, where you'll get to meet some of the furry athletes and learn their adoption stories.
You've got plenty of options to catch all the action this year. Puppy Bowl XXII will simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV, making it easier than ever to watch on traditional cable. Prefer streaming? You can watch on HBO Max or discovery+.
This year's event is breaking records and winning hearts with 150 rescue dogs from 72 shelters across 36 states and territories. This includes Rhett, the Basset Hound, from our shelter partner Homeward Bound in Indiana! Tune in to see Rhett and senior dogs, who are getting their moment in the spotlight for the first time ever with a special exhibition game — because older pups deserve love and forever homes too. The event will also feature 15 dogs with special needs, showing that every dog has championship potential regardless of their abilities.
Just like the actual Super Bowl, the Puppy Bowl has real rules and fierce competition. Team Ruff and Team Fluff battle it out for the coveted Lombarky Trophy, with puppies scoring touchdowns by carrying toys into the end zone. The game unfolds in quarters with Dan Schachner returning as referee for his 15th year — that's dedication to puppy sports. Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks provide the play-by-play commentary, bringing all the excitement of professional sports broadcasting to this four-legged face-off. At the end, one special pup takes home the BISSELL MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title.
The entertainment doesn't stop when the puppies take a break. The famous Kitty Halftime Show features adoptable kittens showing off their own athletic prowess and star power. It's the perfect intermission that gives cat lovers their moment to shine while keeping the adoption message front and center.
While watching puppies tumble around a miniature football field is undeniably entertaining, the Puppy Bowl serves a much bigger purpose. Every single participant comes from animal shelters or rescue organizations and is available for adoption. The event shines a national spotlight on pet adoption, helping these adorable athletes find their forever homes while raising awareness about the millions of animals in shelters across the country waiting for families.
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