Puppy Bowl 2026 — the annual “cute fest” of canine antics that airs before the Super Bowl — is set to return on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Now in its 22nd year, Puppy Bowl XXII continues its tradition of adorable games, promoting shelter dog adoption and family-friendly entertainment just hours before the NFL’s main championship game.
Puppy Bowl 2026: When and where to watch?
This year’s event will take place on Super Bowl Sunday, making it a must-see for families and animal lovers. The Puppy Bowl has become a popular fixture in the build-up to the Super Bowl, offering a playful alternative to the NFL’s pregame coverage and reminding viewers of the importance of pet adoption.
According to official broadcast information, Puppy Bowl XXII will kick off at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on February 8. That means 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) for viewers on the US West Coast. The main event is expected to last about three hours.
Before the main show, the pregame Puppy Bowl Kickoff Show begins at 1 p.m. ET, featuring light-hearted segments like the “Puppy Combine” and practice drills where the young canine contestants demonstrate skills before the big game.
Where to watch Puppy Bowl 2026
This year’s Puppy Bowl will be broadcast on a variety of television channels and streaming platforms, offering viewers several options to tune in:
On television, Puppy Bowl XXII will air on Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS and truTV.
For streaming, viewers can watch live HBO Max and discovery+, which simulate the event online.
These platforms make the Puppy Bowl available to users without traditional cable if they have subscriptions to services that include those channels.
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If you don’t have a cable subscription, there are also ways to stream the show for free or on trial services. For example, some streaming packages like DirecTV Stream and Sling TV offer a free trial that includes channels showing the Puppy Bowl. This can be a useful option for viewers who want to watch without paying for a long-term service.
What makes Puppy Bowl XXII special?
Puppy Bowl XXII promises a bigger and heartier lineup than ever before. A press release for the event announced a record 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, divided into Team Ruff and Team Fluff.
This year also offers a new focus on senior dogs with a special halftime event featuring senior canines – highlighting the benefits of adopting older pets who are often overlooked in shelters.
The Puppy Bowl’s deeper purpose remains unchanged: to promote animal adoption and provide a platform for rescue organizations to share the stories of shelter animals looking for homes. For decades, shelters have used the broadcast to showcase adoptable dogs, and viewers have been encouraged to consider adopting — either during the event or in their local communities.
Puppy Bowl XXII has carved out a unique niche in American broadcasting. It airs well before the Super Bowl, which begins around 6:30 PM ET that same day (a separate event airing on NBC and the major streaming services). Thanks to the time schedule, viewers can enjoy the healthy entertainment of the Puppy Bowl and still have plenty of time to prepare for the evening’s NFL action.
The event’s broad appeal includes families, casual spectators and pet lovers alike. For some, it’s the perfect warm-up for the big game; for others, it’s the main event of Super Bowl Sunday. With a mix of playful competition, cute moments and adoption messaging, the Puppy Bowl continues to be a highlight of the sports calendar for viewers of all ages.
