Puppy Bowl XXII Kicks Off Ahead of Super Bowl

Record-breaking 150 dogs from 72 shelters compete in annual Puppy Bowl event.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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The 22nd annual Puppy Bowl is set to air on Sunday, February 8th, just hours before the Super Bowl. This year's event will feature a record-breaking 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, all competing on Team Ruff and Team Fluff. The game will be led by longtime referee Dan Schachner, with play-by-play commentary from sports broadcasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks.

Why it matters

The Puppy Bowl has become a beloved tradition for many Super Bowl viewers, offering an adorable alternative to the big game. This year's record-breaking participation highlights the continued popularity of the event and the importance of animal adoption, with all the featured pups available for adoption at the end of the competition.

The details

The 22nd Puppy Bowl will air from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and truTV. An hour-long Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show will precede the main event at 1 p.m. ET. Viewers can also stream the Puppy Bowl live on HBO Max and Discovery+. This year's matchup will see the reigning champion Team Fluff take on Team Ruff, with the Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) and Subaru of America, Inc. Underdog Award to be presented at the end of the game. The event will also debut a new Team Oldies versus Team Goldies senior dog exhibition game.

  • The 22nd annual Puppy Bowl will air on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
  • The Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show will start at 1 p.m. ET.
  • The main Puppy Bowl event will air from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. ET.

The players

Dan Schachner

The longtime referee who is returning for his 15th year to lead the Puppy Bowl.

Steve Levy

A sports broadcaster who will provide play-by-play commentary for the Puppy Bowl.

Taylor Rooks

A sports broadcaster who will provide play-by-play commentary for the Puppy Bowl.

Team Ruff

One of the two teams competing in the Puppy Bowl, looking to dethrone the reigning champions.

Team Fluff

The reigning champions of the Puppy Bowl, seeking to defend their title.

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What they’re saying

“Puppy Bowl XXII celebrates the spirit of the underdog with a gameday celebration that combines the excitement of a sports matchup with uplifting adoption stories.”

— Joseph Boyle, Head of Content, Discovery Channel

What’s next

At the end of the Puppy Bowl, the Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) and Subaru of America, Inc. Underdog Award will be presented to two outstanding players.

The takeaway

The Puppy Bowl has become a beloved Super Bowl tradition, offering an adorable alternative to the big game while also highlighting the importance of animal adoption. This year's record-breaking participation showcases the continued popularity of the event and the joy it brings to viewers.