Forget the Super Bowl, the real game day showdown happens on Sunday, February 9, 2025, with Puppy Bowl XXI. This year’s edition aims for peak canine cuteness, featuring a record-breaking 142 rescue puppies from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries. Prepare for a full-on furry frenzy as Team Fluff and Team Ruff battle it out for the coveted “Lombarky” trophy. The game kicks off at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT, simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.
But the pre-game festivities are just as important. A brand-new Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff show starts at 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT on Animal Planet. It features a Puppy Combine, where these adorable athletes display their ball-chasing prowess, and a Puppy Bowl Draft, where the teams are selected. It’s like the NFL Combine, but with significantly more tail wags and clumsy tumbles.
This year’s Puppy Bowl also features a surprise appearance from a different kind of hero. DC Studios’ new Superman, courtesy of writer-director James Gunn and his dog, Ozu, will make a special appearance. While details are scarce, it’s a safe bet this cameo will involve a level of charm that even Lex Luthor couldn’t resist.
Beyond the touchdowns and tackles (of the fluffiest variety), Puppy Bowl XXI continues its tradition of heartwarming stories. “Pup Close and Personal” segments will introduce viewers to some of the puppies and their journeys to find forever homes. Country music star Dan Smyers of Dan + Shay will be introducing a rescue puppy backstage at one of his concerts, and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi will be working with a Pit bull-mix named Parsnip.
Puppy Bowl XXI airs Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET/11:00 AM PT on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.
