Clear your (and your pet’s) schedules—the 21st Annual Puppy Bowl (Puppy Bowl XXI) is this weekend. This yearly sporting event broadcasted by Animal Planet is not only adorable, but it historically raises awareness for shelter animals in need of adoption.

Keep reading to learn more about Puppy Bowl XXI and each team’s players.

What is the Puppy Bowl?

The Puppy Bowl is the original and longest-running call-to-adoption event in television history. Each year, puppies from dozens of animal shelters form teams and compete in an adorable “competition” meant to raise awareness for pets in need of adoption.

2025 marks the 21st year of this fan-favorite (pets and humans alike) event.

When Is Puppy Bowl XXI?

This year’s Puppy Bowl is scheduled for this Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. Pacific), but behind-the-scenes coverage starts in the wee hours of Sunday morning. In other words, the early bird gets the worm, AKA all the Puppy Bowl footage you could ask for.

What Channel is the Puppy Bowl On?

The Puppy Bowl is broadcast on Animal Planet and is available to stream on discovery+, Warner Bros Discovery’s streaming service. Check your TV provider to see if you have access to Animal Planet before it’s too late!

Who is Playing in the Puppy Bowl?

Puppy Bowl XXI will feature two teams who are sure to be neck and neck in terms of adorableness: Team Ruff and Team Fluff.

Here are some of the cuties up for adoption who are set to grace your screen on Sunday. You can view the entire roster of both teams on the Animal Planet website.

Trio the Boston Terrier

Trio is a Boston terrier who is three-times the fun! He may have been born with a leg deformity, but Trio won’t let anything hold him back from kicking puppy butt on Sunday.

Demure the Cairn Terrier

We think it’s safe to say a TikTok user named this trendy pup. Demure the cairn terrier mindfully yields from the state of Virginia and is hoping to be adopted after showing just how playful they are this Sunday.

Foxtrot the Collie

Meet Foxtrot—a collie puppy from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In addition to sporting a beautiful multicolored coat, Foxtrot boasts a “happy-go-lucky” personality. His long legs may give him the advantage Team Ruff needs on Sunday.

Carl the Bulldog Mix

Who’s a good boy? Carl the bulldog mix is shelter pals with Team Ruff’s Trio and is ready to rock and roll. Carl is blind but is determined to see his way to a Team Fluff victory.

Kiki the Chihuahua Mix

This sweet girl is Kiki, a chihuahua mix from Florida. While Kiki may prefer a nice long nap to sporting events, she will do her best to hold off a case of the sleeps until the final whistle on Sunday.

Whoopie the Great Pyrenees Mix

Whoopie the Great Pyrenees mix may be from the great state of Tennessee, but she will have to put her southern hospitality aside for Sunday’s big game to secure a win for her team. One thing for sure is that Whoopie will definitely put the fluff in Team Fluff.

What is Special About Puppy Bowl XXI?

Puppy Bowl XXI is set to be a can’t-miss event, featuring the talents and snoots of over 140 dogs, the most the Puppy Bowl has ever seen! This year’s dogs hail from a total of 80 animal shelters across 40 states and two countries—one pup is making the trip from Nicaragua! 11 of these cuties up for adoption and set to compete are special needs dogs, including Trio from Team Ruff and Carl from Team Fluff.

This year’s broadcast will also feature a special message from Hollywood writer and director James Gunn and his dog Ozu, who inspires the current iteration of DC Comics’ Krypto the Superdog, who will introduce the Krypto Super Play Award to one special pup.

You can make this year’s Puppy Bowl (and Super Bowl Sunday) extra special by throwing a dog-friendly watch party!