Sports

Puppy Bowl XXII returns cuteness, competition to Super Sunday

They’re back … and cuter than ever.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the biggest game before the big game is always the Puppy Bowl. The longest-running call-to-adoption television event returns for its 22nd year on Feb. 8 with a record 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the USA, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands.

The cuddly canines and spirited mutts that make up Team Fluff and Team Ruff will battle for the coveted Lombarky Trophy, while also playing up for the cameras in hopes of finding their forever home.

‘Puppy Bowl XXII celebrates the spirit of the underdog with a gameday celebration that combines the excitement of a sports matchup with uplifting adoption stories,’ said Discovery Channel’s head of content, Joseph Boyle. ‘By introducing new segments like our senior spotlight and enhancing fan-favorite elements, we are creating a deeper connection to our audience and delivering the most entertaining sports spectacular on television.’

This year’s broadcast will include a segment with Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who will guide Button − a Boston Terrier-Beagle − through a training session at Highmark Stadium, and share his personal story on the importance of adoption.  

And for the first time, the Puppy Bowl will spotlight senior dogs in a special halftime exhibition game between Team Oldies and Team Goldies.

Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will be on hand for play-by-play and commentary, while veteran referee Dan Schachner returns to oversee the action.

How to watch Puppy Bowl XXII

The 22nd annual Puppy Bowl is a three-hour extravaganza of competition and cuteness leading up to Super Bowl 60.

  • Date: Sunday, Feb. 8
  • Time: 2-5 p.m. ET
  • Defending champion: Team Fluff
  • TV: Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV
  • Streaming: HBO Max, discovery+
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