Puppy Bowl Outdraws TPUSA's Super Bowl Halftime Show

The annual feel-good event drew over 15 million viewers, more than double the concurrent views for the conservative group's concert.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The 22nd edition of the 'Puppy Bowl' attracted 15.3 million viewers on Super Bowl Sunday, its best turnout since 2018 and more than double the 6.1 million concurrent views for Turning Point USA's 'All-American Halftime Show' streamed on YouTube. The Puppy Bowl, which features adoptable rescue dogs, aired before the NFL's big game and offered viewers a feel-good pregame alternative to the official halftime performance.

Why it matters

The strong ratings for the Puppy Bowl highlight the enduring appeal of the annual animal adoption event, which has carved out a unique niche as counter-programming to the high-profile Super Bowl halftime show. While the NFL telecast drew over 128 million viewers, the Puppy Bowl was able to capture a sizable audience seeking a more lighthearted alternative during the game's halftime.

The details

The Puppy Bowl, which pitted Team Fluff against Team Ruff in a miniature stadium, was pre-recorded in September. Among the 150 dogs featured was Foggy, a mixed-breed stray rescued by the San Francisco SPCA, and first-time contestant Teigan, a mixed-breed puppy with a neurological condition who died months before the broadcast. TPUSA's streamed concert, headlined by Kid Rock, was produced as counter-programming to Bad Bunny's official Super Bowl halftime performance.

  • The Puppy Bowl aired before kick off between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots on February 8, 2026.
  • The Puppy Bowl was pre-recorded in upstate New York in September 2025.

The players

Puppy Bowl

An annual feel-good event featuring adoptable rescue dogs in a miniature stadium setting, designed as counter-programming to the Super Bowl halftime show.

Turning Point USA (TPUSA)

A conservative non-profit organization that produced the 'All-American Halftime Show' as an alternative to the official Super Bowl halftime performance.

Foggy

A mixed-breed stray rescued by the San Francisco SPCA that was featured in the Puppy Bowl.

Teigan

A mixed-breed puppy with a neurological condition who was a first-time contestant in the Puppy Bowl but died months before the broadcast.

Trisha Malfitano

The founder of Perfect Imperfections Rescue and Sanctuary, which rescued Teigan.

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What they’re saying

“This year's Puppy Bowl delivered its strongest performance in nearly a decade, and its success across linear and streaming highlights our unique ability to unite audiences around content that feels good and does good.”

— Joseph Boyle, Head of Content, Discovery Channel (Variety)

“I was told she would always have this issue, and we took every precaution we could. Unfortunately, her body was not able to recover.”

— Trisha Malfitano, Founder, Perfect Imperfections Rescue and Sanctuary (USA Today)

The takeaway

The Puppy Bowl's strong ratings demonstrate the enduring appeal of feel-good, animal-focused programming as a counterpoint to the high-profile spectacle of the Super Bowl halftime show. In an era of increasing political polarization, the Puppy Bowl's unifying, apolitical approach resonates with viewers seeking an escape from the divisiveness that can sometimes overshadow major sporting events.