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The big game is right around the corner, and we are not talking about the Super Bowl. While the Chiefs and Buccaneers gear up for Super Bowl LV, the Puppy Bowl, hosted by Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, will feature a face-off between#TeamRuff and#TeamFluff as they fight for the Chewy Lombarky trophy. Line barkers and wide retrievers will also be competing for the Most Valuable Puppy title—and for the hearts of viewers. If you're planning on tuning in for the big game, read on for the ultimutt Puppy Bowl guide.
What is the Puppy Bowl?
Every year, Animal Planet gathers young puppies and has them compete by scoring touchdowns with dog toys on the mini gridiron of the Geico Stadium. Aside from entertainment, Animal Planet hopes that the viewers consider adopting the players that need a home. The Puppy Bowl has a track record of 100% post-game adoptions, and they expect this year to be no different! The three-hour event will feature the iconic water bowl cam, slo-mo replays, the puppy kiss cam, Surge the scoreboard-powering hamster, and the return of more fan favorites. Additionally, for the first time ever on the sidelines, Team Ruff and Team Fluff players will be cheered on by none other than adoptable puppy cheerleaders.
Who is Competing in the Puppy Bowl?
70 puppies from 22 shelters and rescues will hit the field on Sunday to compete in the Puppy Bowl XVII. This year’s Puppy Bowl features six special needs pups to prove that puppies of all kinds can play hard and love harder.
We are SO excited to announce that one of the pups competing in this year's game lives in Baltimore! Quinn (formerly Comet) is a 6-month old American Staffie/Catahoula Leopard Dog Mix who is an Operation Paws for Home alumni. Quinn will be representing Team Rough and competing against her sister, Milky Way, on Team Fluff. To our luck, Quinn was able to pencil in the Dogs of Charm City team in for a quick pre-game interview that aired on our Instagram page today.
Operation Paws for Homes brings dogs and cats from overcrowded shelters to foster homes in MD, DC, PA, VA and matches them with adoptive families. "They've rescued 11,000 animals, which is so amazing. They are a fantastic organization to work with, and last year alone they've saved and rehomed 1,600 animals," says Grace Williams, Quinn's mom.
Check out the full Puppy Bowl XVII starting lineup here.
Who Is Hosting the Puppy Bowl?
Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart. This is not a drill...get the popcorn ready. Stewart’s French bulldogs Creme Brulee and Bete Noire as well as her Chows Chows, Empress Qin and Emperor Han will be joining. Snoop Dogg’s French bulldogs Juelz Broadus and Chalk will also be there.
Monday Night Football play-by-play announcer Steve Levy and SportsCenter host Sage Steele will also be providing commentary. Referee Dan Schachner will be calling penalties such as "premature watering of the field," and celebs including Kristen Bell and Valerie Bertinelli will be there to assist with the adoption process.
Also, it has been rumored that First Dogs Champ and Major will also be making an appearance!!!
Is There a Halftime Show?
A crew of kittens will take the field to turn up the beat at halftime for the Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Kitty Half-Time Show. Experience the neon dance party you've been waiting for all year and rave to the purr-fect beats dropped by senior rescue cat DJ Grand Master Scratch. As an after-party treat, viewers will even be able to see a special adoption update on where these dancing felines found their loving new homes with their new forever dance partners. Rehearsals are in full swing, and these cats are ready to get hit the dance floor.
How Do I Watch the Puppy Bowl?
With a DOCC tailgate party pack, of course! If you're in Baltimore, check out Mr.Nice Guy Cocktails in Canton, voted best Takeout Cocktails in Baltimore by Baltimore Magazine, who will be giving out free Mr. GoodBoi doggie cocktails with any purchase all weekend long. There are a ton of Super Bowl food specials going on, so consider supporting your local restaurants this weekend!
The Puppy Bowl will air ahead of Super Bowl LV at 2PM EST on Animal Planet and Discovery+. The full game will be released at 5PM, after the game concludes.
Operation Paws For Homes (OPH) is hosting a Free Virtual Puppy Bowl XVII Viewing Party on Zoom for anyone who wants to join in to cheer on the seven OPH rescues, including Quinn, playing in this year's puppy bowl.
Stream last year's matchup here.
Ways to Get Involved
Animal Planet has so many fun opportunities planned to get you involved in the game from home. Create a free Puppy Bowl Trading Card for your own pup on Animal Planet’s Website or use Animal Planet’s two super fun Puppy Bowl Instagram story effects -- a Puppy Bowl Kiss Cam and “Choose Your Player” effect. Access them by opening up a new Instagram story, selecting “browse effects,” and searching for Animal Planet.