Who Will Be Crowned the Cutest Puppy Bowl Champion?

The cuddliest competition of the year is back.

142 adorable puppies from 80 shelters will compete in the 21st annual Puppy Bowl on February 9th. The event will be broadcast at 2 p.m. EST/11 a.m. PST on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+. Trust us, the irresistible cuteness makes it worth tuning in!

During a three-hour televised event, an unprecedented number of puppies will participate, either on Team Fluff, headed by Julep, a pioneering St. Bernard-mix, and Smoosh, the lone Pekingese contender in the games, or on Team Ruff, captained by Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua hybrid from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German Shepherd representative from Nicaragua, as part of an adoption promotion.

According to Howard Lee, Chief Creative Officer of U.S. Networks and President of Discovery Networks, Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl is an annual event that grows in popularity, with more puppies, reach, and awareness each year. He added that whether they win or lose, Puppy Bowl XXI on February 9 will feature the most adorable players, inspiring families nationwide to adopt a new puppy as their furry companion.

Audience members will also enjoy live commentary from sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks during the game, in addition to an intriguing segment that allows viewers to discover each player’s genetic pet DNA profile.

Among these adorable pets are eleven remarkable special needs dogs, demonstrating that their limitations do not hinder them. For example, Jolene, a mixed breed American Pit bull terrier, shows her spirit by participating in competitions using a wheelchair. And Sprinkle, a blind and deaf Australian shepherd-mix, is eager to win the top prize at home.

Without a doubt, the most loved part of the program is guaranteed to melt your heart. Making a return this year, the segment highlighting adoptable pets will showcase some delightful puppies, along with a few irresistible kittens, all available for adoption and finding their forever homes in real-time.

To meet all the pups competing in this year’s Puppy Bowl, keep reading.