Puppy Bowl 2025 Is Almost Here! And it Will Be Packed with a Record-Breaking 142 Adoptable Pups

Animal lovers know that Super Bowl Sunday is all about puppies!

The Puppy Bowl is back for its 21st year. The annual competition features adoptable pooches taking to the football field to score a goal, watch the kittens’ halftime show and try to win the “Lombarky” trophy. It takes place on the afternoon of Super Bowl Sunday, which means fans can catch all the cuteness before the big game.

There are more puppy adopters than ever for this year’s Puppy Bowl XXI, with a record 142 puppies from 80 shelters in 40 states and two countries, according to a statement from Animal Planet, which will host the Feb. 9 event. a full gallery of all the cute contestants is available at puppybowl.com.

Where are the Puppy Bowl puppies now? A look back at some former Pooch players

For years, the Puppy Bowl was the “longest-running adoption event on television.” In 2025, the TV event will continue to raise awareness of the importance of pet adoption with “Pup Close and Personal” segments that explore the rescue stories of some of the furry football players.

Poster Puppy Bowl XXI.

Courtesy of Animal Planet/Discovery

The 142 pooches competing on the biggest day of dog football are part of two teams affectionately called Team Fluff and Team Fluff. The teams will be led by puppies who make history at the Puppy Bowl. Julep, the first hybrid of St. Bernarda in the competition, and Smoosh, the first Pekingese at the Bowl, will lead the Fluff team. He will face Mr. Pickles, a Chihuahua pug from Dallas, and Tuani, a Chihuahua-German Shepherd from Nicaragua, the leaders of Team Ruff.

Puppy Bowl 2025 will also highlight 11 dogs with special needs — including Jolene, an American pit bull terrier who uses a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, an Australian shepherd mix who is blind and hearing impaired.

Jolene, the dog competing in Puppy Bowl XXI.

Courtesy of Animal Planet/Discovery

Along with the coveted “Lombarky” trophy, the pups will aim to be named MVP — Most Valuable Puppy — and take home the Underdog Award or the Krypto Super Play Award, which can be won thanks to the upcoming Superman movie.

Puppy Bowl Referee Dan Schachner Adopts First Dog After 13 Years Of Calling Dog Sports (Exclusive)

Kiki, one of the dogs competing in Puppy Bowl XXI.

Courtesy of Animal Planet/Discovery

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Puppy Bowl returns Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 PM ET/ 11:00 AM PT, simulcast on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max and Discovery+.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education