The Ultimate Guide To Puppy Bowl 2025: Date, Roster, And 11 Must-See Special Needs Pups
Get ready for the most adorable sporting event of the year! Puppy Bowl XXI is set to return on Sunday, February 9, 2025, bringing three hours of tail-wagging, field-tackling action right before the Big Game. This year's installment is bigger and cuter than ever, featuring a record-breaking 142 adoptable dogs from rescue organizations across the country, all competing for the coveted Lombarky Trophy.
The annual event is more than just a cute spectacle; it's a massive call-to-adoption, and the 2025 lineup includes a historic number of special needs and senior pups, highlighting the importance of rescuing all animals. You can catch the full three-hour showdown simulcast across multiple channels and streaming platforms, making it easier than ever to watch Team Fluff face off against Team Ruff.
Puppy Bowl XXI 2025: Date, Time, and Where to Watch
The 21st annual Puppy Bowl, Puppy Bowl XXI, is scheduled for Super Bowl Sunday, offering the perfect pre-game entertainment for sports fans and animal lovers alike. This year’s event promises to be a tear-jerker and a highlight, with more puppies participating than in any previous year.
Official Broadcast Details
- Event Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
- Start Time: 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
- Duration: Three-hour special
- TV Channels: Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and TruTV
- Streaming Platforms: Max and Discovery Plus
The timing is perfect for viewers, as the Puppy Bowl concludes with plenty of time to switch over to the Super Bowl kickoff, ensuring you don't miss a minute of either event. The simultaneous broadcast across so many platforms ensures maximum accessibility for the millions of viewers who tune in to support the cause of animal rescue.
Meet the Puppy Bowl XXI Starting Lineup and Special Guests
Puppy Bowl 2025 features an unprecedented roster, showcasing 142 adoptable dogs from 80 shelters and rescue organizations spanning 40 U.S. states and one international location. This massive undertaking underscores the event's mission to promote pet adoption worldwide.
The Competing Teams
The eternal rivalry continues as two teams of adorable athletes take the field: Team Ruff and Team Fluff.
- Team Ruff: Players wear orange bandanas.
- Team Fluff: Players wear blue bandanas.
Key Players and Fan Favorites
While all 142 pups are stars, a few are generating significant buzz among fans and are expected to be key players in the annual showdown for the Lombarky Trophy.
- Abigail: A Labrador Retriever Mix from Alexandria, VA, expected to be a strong contender for Team Ruff.
- Zinnia & Zipper: Two speedy pups representing Team Fluff, known for their quick paws and playful antics.
- Spike & Strudel: Key players on Team Ruff, ready to tackle the field and score some touchdowns.
- Smoosh: A fan-favorite pup whose name suggests a love for cuddles as much as rough play.
- Mr. Pickles: A uniquely named player adding to the colorful cast of characters.
The event also features the iconic Kitty Halftime Show, providing a purrfectly timed break from the high-energy puppy action. This segment is a fan favorite and a great way to showcase adoptable feline friends.
A Focus on Inclusion: Senior and Special Needs Pups
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Puppy Bowl XXI is its commitment to inclusivity, featuring a record number of dogs who might otherwise be overlooked in traditional adoption settings. This year's lineup includes significant representation from senior and special needs dogs, driving home the "Adopt, Don't Shop" message for all animals.
The Groundbreaking Senior Pup
For the first time in Puppy Bowl history, a senior dog will be featured as an adoptable pup, proving that older dogs deserve loving homes just as much as puppies.
- Lizzie: A docile, 9-year-old Schnauzer mix from Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Lizzie is described as a pup who loves a good nap and enjoys the company of dog siblings her own speed. Her inclusion is a powerful statement about senior pet adoption.
The "Paw-sitively" Special Needs Team
The 2025 roster includes 11 special needs dogs, a significant number that highlights the resilience and loving nature of these animals. These pups often require a little extra care, but they give back boundless love.
- Hewett: A visually-impaired Chihuahua and Australian Cattle Dog mix.
- Wheelchair Pup: A dog who uses a custom wheelchair, showcasing mobility and spirit despite physical limitations.
Other pups, like Trio, Kiki, and Paws Allen, represent the diverse mix of breeds and backgrounds that make up the Puppy Bowl family, all coming from dedicated rescue groups like the Helen Woodward Animal Center and various Philly-area shelters in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
The Star-Studded Commentary and Hosting Crew
No major sporting event is complete without an expert commentary team, and Puppy Bowl XXI has a familiar and beloved crew returning to call the action, ensuring every "ruff-eree" call and "paw-ty" foul is noted.
Puppy Bowl XXI Key Personalities
- Referee Dan Schachner: The longtime, beloved referee returns to host the event and maintain order on the field, a role he has masterfully filled for years.
- Play-by-Play Commentator Steve Levy: The veteran sportscaster returns to provide his signature play-by-play commentary, translating the puppy chaos into recognizable sports action.
- Color Commentator Taylor Rooks: The talented sportscaster joins Levy to offer insightful color commentary, adding depth and humor to the three-hour spectacle.
Their combined energy and passion for the event elevate the Puppy Bowl from a simple showcase to a must-watch television event, generating massive awareness for the 80 participating shelters.
How to Adopt a Puppy Bowl Star
The primary goal of the Puppy Bowl is to find forever homes for every single participating animal. Historically, the event boasts a 100% adoption rate for the featured pups, and the 2025 class is expected to be no different.
While the televised event is pre-taped, and many of the puppies are already adopted by the time it airs, the broadcast provides a massive platform for the dozens of shelters involved. Viewers are strongly encouraged to contact their local animal rescue organizations, as well as the featured shelters like Watermelon Mountain Ranch and Helen Woodward Animal Center, to find a dog just like the ones they see on TV.
The Puppy Bowl is a powerful reminder that there are countless loving, adoptable dogs—of all ages, breeds, and abilities—waiting for a family. By tuning into Puppy Bowl XXI on February 9, 2025, you are supporting a movement that saves lives and celebrates the joy of rescue pets.
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