Why the 2026 Puppy Bowl Might Be the Most Heartwarming Yet

The Puppy Bowl is coming, and it’s more exciting than ever. Made for people who like sports but perhaps don’t have the stamina to sit through an entire football game, the Puppy Bowl broadcast is as cute as it is wholesome and features dogs that are ultimately available for adoption (no matter how many touchdowns they score). Shelters and rescues from across the country send their top dogs to compete, and this year’s game is especially heartwarming.

The 2026 Puppy Bowl will feature plenty of adoption stories (with over 100 players!), as well as a group of special-needs dogs and a senior dog exhibition during halftime. And every last one is adoptable, as the hardest dogs to place often aren’t puppies; they’re the older or more medically in-need dogs who deserve a home, especially after such a spectacular show.

Today, we’ll go over the all-star lineup for this year’s Puppy Bowl, including some standout canines to add to your Fantasy Football League. We’ll also give you the details about when the Puppy Bowl is airing and how this year’s structure differs from previous years. It’s time for the kickoff!

The 2026 Puppy Bowl: An Overview

If you’re a brand-new Puppy Bowl viewer, here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming festivities.

Date: Puppy Bowl XXII airs on Sunday, February 8, 2026, timed to air a week before Super Bowl Sunday, making it a stellar alternative to those looking to watch something other than football.

Kickoff: The main broadcast of this year’s Puppy Bowl starts at 2:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. PT, but the adorable Kickoff Show begins at 1:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. PT.

Where to Watch: The simulcast will be shown on Animal Planet and additional Warner platforms, which may mean you’ll need to check your local cable listings or streaming services accordingly.

What’s New This Year: A first-ever senior-dog halftime show is scheduled, joining the typical showdown between the two puppy teams. Additionally, 16 dogs are eligible for the title of “Most Pupular” in the Pupularity Playoffs.

How the Puppy Bowl Became a Super Bowl Day Mainstay

The Puppy Bowl first aired in 2005 and has stayed on the calendar for a number of reasons. The three-hour-long broadcast, complete with commentary, a puppy-sized stadium, and awards, makes it an ideal alternative to the festivities of Super Bowl Sunday. Plus, it’s one of the few viewing options out there that actively advertise dogs up for adoption, making it both entertaining and for a good cause.

The format works and remains popular because viewers can root for their favorite team, just like a typical sports broadcast. Dogs from dozens of shelters make their debut on one of the most-watched cable days of the year. It’s sports and puppies; what’s not to love?

Who to Watch in This Year’s Puppy Bowl

There are several promising pups competing in this year’s Puppy Bowl. The 2026 broadcast stands out from previous years because it includes special-needs dogs as part of the main teams, such as a three-legged competitor and a deaf-and-vision-impaired pup who are among the most notable participants.

Who else is making a splash in their Puppy Bowl debut? Here are some dogs from both teams, aptly named Team Fluff and Team Ruff.

Team Fluff Standouts

First up: the adorable, adoptable pups of Team Fluff! These are the pups forecasted to be the fiercest competitors in the upcoming game.

Benito

If you’re looking for swagger and a pup that best represents Team Fluff’s reigning championship, Benito is the closest thing the Puppy Bowl has to a returning franchise quarterback. With a steady presence and a fanbase that already knows the name, Benito is a must-watch, especially given those long legs. EW’s player list places Benito on Team Fluff and notes he’s connected to the SATO Project, established in New York and Puerto Rico.

Showgirl

Showgirl is strong and built to run through traffic, keeping everyone moving even when the inevitable puppy pile forms. A red chow mix from the Kentucky Humane Society, Showgirl will likely make some fantastic tackles and sacks, keeping Team Ruff on their toes.

Wynonna

Every year has one player you can’t ignore, and Wynonna fits that definition to a T. She’s Team Fluff’s three-legged competitor, with the scrappy kind of can-do attitude any team needs. Also from the Kentucky Humane Society, Wynonna can’t help but steal the spotlight and plenty of hearts in the process.

Anson

Anson is a heeler mix, which means he’s ready to get to work and keep on working until the job is done. He was also born deaf, which can actually be an advantage in the Puppy Bowl, as it means he’s less distracted by stadium noise and more focused on the game—hopefully chasing the ball.

Team Ruff Standouts

The opponents to the reigning champs belong to Team Ruff. Who’s looking promising? Check out these competitors and what makes them special.

Lobster Roll

The aptly named Lobster Roll has already been highlighted by Entertainment Weekly as one of the dogs expected to help bring the Lombarky trophy to Team Ruff, which is basically the Puppy Bowl version of being named a preseason All-Pro. He’s stocky, wrinkly, and likely strong, given his pit bull origins, hailing from the Animal Rescue League of Greater Portland, Maine.

Brûlée

Another deaf pup hoping to claim the trophy, Brûlée is a French Bulldog and Boston Terrier mix with the potential to be a serious underdog (pun intended). He’s among Team Ruff’s key names and may get some extra screen time, given just how adorable he is. He’s from Green Dogs Unleashed in Troy, Virginia, and will likely have a home to call his own once the Puppy Bowl is over.

Miso

Hailing from the Muddy Paws shelter in New York City, Miso is a lithe and slippery competitor worth watching. He looks like a pure mutt, so it’s difficult to ascertain his breed; however, his tall legs and narrow body will likely keep him running and jumping over the competition with ease.

Foggy

Foggy enters the Puppy Bowl after a news report from the San Francisco Chronicle. Foggy, a Chihuahua mix who made her way through the shelter system and the ASPCA into the spotlight, is a compact firecracker. Plus, she’ll be easy to keep an eye on, given her small size and distinctive, adorable black and white spots.

Senior and Special-Needs Dog Standouts

While we’ve mentioned a few special-needs dogs in the team lineup, there are others worth highlighting as well. Plus, which standout dogs should you watch for in the senior dog halftime show, which features dogs between 6 and 11 years old? Here are some additional Puppy Bowl competitors that may just melt your heart.

Teigan

An Australian Shepherd on Team Fluff, Teigan, has a story worth knowing. While she is no longer with us, according to posts from her adoption center, Perfect Imperfections, this quadriplegic pup took to the field in a wheelchair and wowed the crowd. She’ll have her own special segment, one that also highlights her life-changing wheelchair from K9 Karts.

Daisy

Hailing from the Phoenix Animal Rescue, Daisy is apparently a gentle giant. We’ll see what energy she brings to the halftime show, as this senior pooch tends to prefer smelling the daisies and taking naps over competing.

Litchi

Litchi, a mix of French Bulldog and American Staffordshire Terrier, made it onto Team Ruff despite missing one ear. Litchi is a gray and white pup from the Angel City Pit Bulls adoption center in Los Angeles, capable of making some fantastic tackles, all with only one ear.

Starlight

An older dog with a big heart, Starlight is among the senior dogs of the Puppy Bowl, and it’s easy to see her becoming a crowd favorite. She’s reportedly also from the Phoenix Animal Rescue, like Daisy.

Knick Knack

Knick Knack, who is hearing- and vision-impaired, is all white except for a single dark ear. This border collie mix will likely outrun many of the smaller, shorter pups on the field, and may just help Team Ruff achieve a win this year.

Another Fan Favorite to Watch: the Rufferee

Puppy Bowl stardom extends beyond the dogs, if you can believe it. The broadcast has produced repeatable icons, including the long-standing “rufferee,” Dan Schachner, who is returning for his 15th year as Puppy Bowl referee, making him another must-watch if you sit down for the festivities. Just picture one man in a field full of rambunctious puppies, and you’ll understand why this is a show that cannot be missed.

Tune in to the Puppy Bowl on February 8!

If you’re a diehard Puppy Bowl fan, now’s your time to pick your favorite Fluff and Ruff players, and save room for some wildcards based on their adorable personalities and playmaking. When the senior-dog segment airs, be sure to grab some tissues and enjoy watching older dogs who can still show up, ready to play.

Regardless of who takes the Lombarky trophy this year, know that each and every dog you see in the Puppy Bowl is looking for a new home. Consider adopting one of these superstars after you see their performance, or head to your local shelter for a new friend before the event, because there’s nothing like watching the Puppy Bowl with your new best friend.