Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl, the cutest game in sports, is BACK with more fluffy puppies than ever before!

The 21st anniversary features 142 puppy players from 80 shelters and rescues across 40 states – and two countries - as they represent Team Ruff or Team Fluff. Inspiring adoption stories will be highlighted as the adorable pups race and chase their way to the end zone, all in hopes of winning the “Lombarky” trophy and finding their fur-ever homes.

The game begins once Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner blows the whistle, and the Starting Lineup players step onto the field. On Team Fluff, the game features Julep, a St. Bernard-mix and the first of its breed to compete, as well as Smoosh, the only Pekingese. On Team Ruff, fans will root for Mr. Pickles, a Pug-Chihuahua mix from Dallas, and Tuani, a special pup who traveled all the way from Nicaragua. Each year, the Puppy Bowl also includes a special honor for the MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) as well as the Underdog Award, which will go to the pup that surprises viewers the most with an outstanding performance.

See every puppy playing this year here.

Puppy Bowl XXI is proud to spotlight 11 extraordinary special needs athletes, including Jolene, a courageous American Pit Bull Terrier-mix who competes in a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, a blind and hearing-impaired Australian Shepherd-mix who shows that being differently-abled is no obstacle to playing hard.

Through this year’s “Pup Close and Personal” segments, fans will get an intimate look at the lives of the athletes before the big game. One heartwarming story features Dan Myers, a member of the popular country duo Dan + Shay, who brings a rescue puppy backstage at one of their concerts. Another highlights Derrick Nnadi, defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs, and his girlfriend Nani, who visit the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City. They meet Parsnip, a rescue pit bull-mix who’s about to compete in the games. The couple help train Parsnip and discuss the importance of finding the perfect home.

This year, James Gunn, writer and director of DC’s Superman, will deliver a special message during the game. Gunn, who is also the creator of the character Krypto, will appear with his dog Ozu, who inspired the character. One lucky pup will receive the Krypto Super Play Award, which honors the puppy that displays the most extraordinary abilities on the field.

You can also check back on PuppyBowl.com on gameday to see which of our star pupletes are adoptable! Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will provide their signature play-by-play commentary, while the Wisdom Panel™ pet DNA test results offer insights into each pup’s breed mix. And let’s not forget the Kitty Halftime Show, which will be a paws-itively entertaining break from the action.

Before the big game, fans can tune in to the brand-new Puppy Bowl XXI Kickoff, airing at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT on Animal Planet. This pre-game show introduces a fresh feature: the Puppy Combine. Ten adorable pups will engage in practice drills, showing off their moves in a series of fun challenges. The competition culminates in the Puppy Bowl Draft, where the top pups are selected to join Team Ruff or Team Fluff!

Additionally, the show will check in with BISSELL Pet Foundation®, a key partner in the event, to highlight their lifesaving efforts in rescuing and rehoming animals. This year, the foundation is sending Trixie, a playful pup from Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, to compete in Puppy Bowl XXI.

This marvelous 3-hour event streams on discovery+ and airs on Animal Planet Sunday, February 9 at 2pm ET.