Rescue Pups Go from Shelter to Stardom in Puppy Bowl XXI

The beloved Puppy Bowl returns for its 21st year on Sunday, February 9, at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT. This heartwarming and entertaining event will be simulcast across multiple networks including Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+, ensuring that puppy lovers everywhere can tune in to watch this year's adorable competitors.

A Record-Breaking Lineup

Puppy Bowl XXI promises to be the biggest yet, featuring an incredible 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries. The event highlights the inspiring journeys of these pups from birth to adoption, showcasing the dedication of the rescues and shelters that help find these animals their forever homes.

Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks, remarked, "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. Win or lose, Puppy Bowl XXI will have the cutest players in the game."

Game Day Excitement

The competition will kick off at PROGRESSIVE® Stadium with referee Dan Schachner blowing the whistle. Team Fluff will be led by Julep, the first-ever St. Bernard-mix, and smoosh, the only Pekingese competing. Meanwhile, Team Ruff features Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German shepherd who traveled from Nicaragua. Both teams will compete for the coveted Walmart® “Lombarky” trophy and the title of MVP (Most Valuable Puppy).

This year's event also shines a light on eleven special needs dogs, such as Jolene, an American Pit bull terrier-mix in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian shepherd-mix, proving that disabilities don't slow down these amazing athletes.

Special Features

Puppy Bowl XXI will include a variety of engaging segments, such as the SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. “Pup Close and Personal,” where fans will get to know the backstories of some of the all-star athletes. Country star Dan Smyers from Dan + Shay will bring a rescue puppy from Wags & Walks Nashville backstage at one of his concerts, while Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi will visit The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, meeting rescue pup Parsnip.

In a special twist, audiences will also be treated to a sneak peek of DC Studios' SUPERMAN courtesy of writer-director James Gunn and his dog Ozu, who inspired the character Krypto. The Krypto Super Play award will be presented to one outstanding pup during the game.

Pre-Game and Social Engagement

Before the main event, viewers can catch the Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT on Animal Planet, featuring ten puppy prospects in practice drills at the first-ever Puppy Combine. This special will also highlight the efforts of BISSELL® and the BISSELL Pet Foundation® in rescuing and rehoming pets.

Fans can join the conversation on social media using #PuppyBowl and follow Animal Planet and Puppy Bowl on various platforms for more updates.

For more details on the participating pups, the full photo gallery, and to vote in the Pupularity Playoffs, visit PuppyBowl.com.

Puppy Bowl XXI is proudly sponsored by industry leaders like BISSELL HOMECARE, INC., SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC., and PEDIGREE®. The event is produced for Animal Planet by Bright Spot Content, an All3Media America company.

Get ready for a day filled with cuteness, competition, and heartwarming stories as we celebrate the joy of rescue pups finding their forever homes!