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Animals

Everything You Need to Know About the Puppy Bowl

The best things about the Super Bowl weekend are the commercials, the half-time show, and of course, the Puppy Bowl — the cutest competitive sporting event you will ever see in your life. If you’re wondering what this game is all about, you’ve come to the right place.

What is the Puppy Bowl?

The Puppy Bowl, which first aired in 2005, is a furry remake of the Super Bowl that uses puppies instead of football players. The actual game is played in a model stadium sans audience and boring sports commentary. Last year, the pups played in the all-new bone-shaped GEICO Stadium, which was equipped with more than a dozen cameras for prime puppy viewing. This year, Team Ruff and Team Fluff return for more adorable antics to mark the 15th year of the Puppy Bowl. 

Additionally, a special cam will allow viewers to watch hard-to-film shots of puppies lapping up water through the transparent bottom of a special bowl that is built into the floor.

Puppies playing during the 2019 Puppy Bowl

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet)

While the puppies compete, a “rufferee” will watch over the action on the field. This year, Beer Money! host Dan Schachner returns for the eigth consecutive time to call the shots with his assistant referee, Shirley, a rescue sloth. During the “game,” football jargon is often used by the announcer to describe what’s going on between the puppies. Whenever a puppy drags one of the football-shaped toys into the end zone, for example, the announcer will declare that the puppy made a “touchdown,” while “penalties” are issued whenever a puppy relieves him or herself on the playing field. Too cute!

The show also uses cute puppy puns to mimic the rules of a normal football game. “Pass interference,” for example, is referred to as a “paws interference,” and any “offsides” calls are referred to as “ruff sides.” We’re dying!

When is the Puppy Bowl?

This year’s Puppy Bowl — Puppy Bowl XV — will air on Sunday, February 3, at 3 pm ET.  Don’t forget to “tail” gate with the Puppy Bowl Pre-Game Show at 2 pm ET, which will feature commentary from human hosts James Hound, Rodt Weiler and Sheena Inu. The punnily named trio will serve up pregame show analysis.

Husky puppy playing with toy football at 2019 Puppy Bowl

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet)

In addition, the Puppy Bowl creators are continuing the Dog Bowl, Animal Planet’s adoptable adult-dog competitive game show. The Dog Bowl — hosted by animal advocate Jil Rappaport — will air on February 2 at 8 pm ET. The Dog Bowl will include 63 rescue dogs who battle it out on Team Goldies versus Team Oldies. Last year, all the dogs who appeared in the Dog Bowl were adopted, so we’ve got our fingers crossed that this year produces similar results. 

What channel is the Puppy Bowl on?

The Puppy Bowl XV will air on Animal Planet.

Team Ruff Vs. Team Fluff

In 2015, the Puppy Bowl added a little competition to the game by dividing the pup players into two teams: Ruff and Fluff. We’re more than excited to meet this year’s team members. With 93 players from more than 50 different shelters and rescues, this year’s Puppy Bowl will be the biggest ever!

Corgi puppy playing at the 2019 Puppy Bowl

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet)

Can I adopt a Puppy Bowl puppy?

Yes! You absolutely can  — that’s why there’s a Puppy Bowl in the first place. Animal Planet has an amazingly long list of agencies and organizations where you can adopt a Puppy Bowl puppy on its website.

Two puppies playing at the 2019 Puppy Bowl.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet)

Kitty Play Half-Time Show

Like the real Super Bowl, the Puppy Bowl also has a half-time show — except instead of cheerleaders and singers, this show features fuzzy kittens playing with laser pens, lights, and balls of yarn for an entire 30 minutes. If you’d rather not watch kittens rolling around with balls of yarn, you might want to wait until the grand finale. Apparently, the well-known singer Adam Feline of Purrr-oon 5 will be performing, as well as the Atlanta Acro-Cats. There’s even going to be a domino display. Now that’s a show you can’t miss!

Kitty halftime show at the 2018 Puppy Bowl.

(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Animal Planet)

Puppy Bowl Starting Lineup

When it comes to cuteness, the Puppy Bowl will be bursting with it. With more puppies than ever joining the starting lineup — including three fur balls with special needs — this is definitely going to be one of the best games yet! You can take a look at all the little cuties by clicking here.

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