Super Bowl Sunday isn’t just for football!
The Puppy Bowl is back this weekend — and after a ruff year, I think we could all benefit from watching some adorable four-legged friends. The annual sporting event will take place for its 18th season (that’s XVIII for you sports fans), with team “Ruff” facing off against team “Fluff” for the much coveted “Lombarky” trophy.
The rough-and-tumble game is essentially a three-hour broadcast of puppies romping on a miniature football field and occasionally taking naps. But it’s also a platform to showcase adoptable animals and highlight the local shelters that care for them.
Before the cuteness embarks, here is everything you need to know about the 2021 Puppy Bowl:
What is the Puppy Bowl?
In addition to celebrating pups, the Puppy Bowl also “showcases the incredible shelters and rescues, as well as their staffers, who dedicate their lives to helping animals find their loving homes.” According to Discovery, the competition has been “17 for 17 with the adoption rate at 100 percent,” as all puppies and kittens that have been featured in the Puppy Bowl to date have found homes.
When is the Puppy Bowl?
Puppy Bowl XVII will air on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 13.
What time is the Puppy Bowl?
The Puppy Bowl airs at 1 p.m. CST.
How do I watch the Puppy Bowl?
The competition will air on Animal Planet and can be streamed on discovery+.
How many puppies are in the Puppy Bowl 2021 lineup?
Puppy Bowl XVII will feature 100 puppies adoptable dogs from 67 shelters across 13 states. The beach-party-themed Kitty Half-Time Show will also highlight the players’ adoptable feline counterparts, “performing” to a set from DJ Master Scratch.
Check out the full lineup here.
Who are this year’s hosts?
Veteran musician, Snoop Dogg, and veteran businesswoman, Martha Stewart will return as hosts of the show.
They will also be coaches of the two teams set to play on matchday. Snoop will coach Team Fluff, while Martha coaches Team Ruff.
Expressing their pleasure for the upcoming game Snoop Dogg stated: “I’m honored to be co-hosting the only sporting event on the planet guaranteed to raise the ‘woof’, with the magnificent Martha Stewart!”
Martha Stewart also elatedly stated: “I’m so excited that Snoop and I are back to kick off Puppy Bowl XVIII, and help a bunch of deserving pups find their forever homes!”
How long is the Puppy Bowl?
The Puppy Bowl is a 3-hour event.
How do I adopt animals seen during the Puppy Bowl?
In years past, if you saw an animal you were interested in adopting, you could go to AnimalPlanet.com and find the shelter or rescue where that puppy or kitten is. Once you know the shelter, you can reach out to them directly.
Is the Puppy Bowl live?
Unlike the Super Bowl, the Puppy Bowl is not live. The game was taped in the fall.
Who won the Puppy Bowl 2020?
Team Fluff defeated Team Ruff in the 2020 Puppy Bowl, but Discovery noted that Team Ruff is “coming back with a vengeance” after last year’s loss!
