The Official Puppy Bowl 2025 Lineup: 7 Must-Know Facts About Puppy Bowl XXI's Adorable Roster
The Puppy Bowl is back for its 21st annual showdown, and the 2025 lineup is officially the biggest and most diverse in the event’s history. This year, Puppy Bowl XXI is set to air on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9, 2025, bringing together an unprecedented number of rescue puppies from across the United States and its territories for the ultimate game of adorable chaos. More than just a pre-game spectacle, the Puppy Bowl is a massive call-to-adoption, putting a spotlight on the incredible work of animal shelters and rescue organizations, and this year’s roster of furry athletes is ready to steal your heart—and maybe a touchdown or two.
The highly-anticipated event returns with its signature matchup: the spirited Team Ruff facing off against the fluffy powerhouses of Team Fluff. With a record number of players and a focus on special needs and senior pups, the 2025 game promises to be an emotional and action-packed event. Keep your eyes peeled for the Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) award winner, the return of the beloved Kitty Halftime Show, and the official referee, Dan Schachner, trying his best to keep the game from devolving into a giant cuddle puddle.
The Complete Roster: Puppy Bowl XXI's Record-Breaking Lineup and Key Players
The 2025 Puppy Bowl, officially Puppy Bowl XXI, has expanded its field to include a monumental number of players and participating organizations, underscoring the event's core mission of promoting pet adoption. This year’s game will feature the largest and most diverse cast of rescue dogs ever assembled for the event.
- Total Players: A staggering 131 puppies are set to compete.
- Rescue Organizations: The pups hail from 73 shelters and rescue organizations.
- Geographic Reach: These organizations span 36 states and territories, including international rescues.
- The Teams: The players are divided between Team Ruff, wearing orange bandanas, and Team Fluff, sporting blue bandanas, battling for the coveted Lombarky Trophy.
The Special Needs Squad: Pups with a Purpose
A heartwarming feature of the 2025 lineup is the inclusion of the "Special Needs Squad." This year, 11 adorable players with unique challenges are taking the field, proving that every dog deserves a chance at a loving home.
- Hewett: A visually-impaired Chihuahua and Australian Cattle Dog mix who demonstrates incredible agility despite his challenge.
- Wheelchair Warrior: A brave pup who uses a specialized wheelchair, showing that mobility issues are no barrier to fun and play.
- The Smallest Pup: Puppy Bowl XXI will feature the all-time smallest pup to ever compete in the event, a tiny star who is sure to be a fan favorite.
Meet the Senior Star: Lizzie the Schnauzer Mix
Breaking ground for the older crowd, the 2025 game will also feature its first-ever SENIOR Adoptable Pup. This inclusion highlights the need for forever homes for older dogs, who often get overlooked in shelters.
- Lizzie: A docile, 9-year-old Schnauzer mix from Watermelon Mountain Ranch. Lizzie is looking for a quiet home where she can enjoy a good nap and dog siblings who match her speed.
The Game Officials and Expert Commentary Crew
No major sporting event is complete without its dedicated staff, and Puppy Bowl XXI brings back a stellar crew to manage the adorable chaos and provide "paw-by-paw" coverage. These familiar faces add to the topical authority of the event, ensuring a fun and fair game.
The Official Referee: Dan Schachner
The only human who can truly keep the puppies in line is the returning official Puppy Bowl Referee, Dan Schachner. Schachner, an Animal Planet veteran, has been blowing the whistle on puppy penalties—such as "illegal naps," "unnecessary ruff-ness," and "excessive cuteness"—for years. His role is crucial in guiding the pups, ensuring they stay safe, and, most importantly, scoring the touchdowns when a puppy drags a toy across the goal line.
Play-by-Play Commentators
Providing the signature play-by-play commentary are sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks. Their expert analysis, coupled with the adorable antics on the field, makes for a truly unique broadcast. They are often joined by other animal lovers and experts, providing insights into the breeds and the adoption process. Additionally, the broadcast will feature insights from Wisdom Panel™ pet DNA test results, giving viewers a fun look into the mixed-breed heritage of the competing pups.
The Puppy Bowl XXI Special Segments and Awards
Beyond the main game between Team Ruff and Team Fluff, the Puppy Bowl is known for its beloved side events and awards that celebrate the rescue mission.
The Legendary Kitty Halftime Show
The most anticipated break in the action is the Kitty Halftime Show, which is set to take place in a new, exciting location. This year, the feline spectacle is heading to the "Big Easy"—New Orleans! Presented by ARM & HAMMER™ Hardball™, the halftime show features a bevy of adoptable kittens taking over the field for their own brand of adorable chaos. The show is a major crowd-pleaser and a powerful reminder that cats, too, are in desperate need of loving homes.
The Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) and Underdog Awards
At the end of the game, two major awards are presented to the standout players:
- Most Valuable Puppy (MVP): This award goes to the puppy who demonstrates the most enthusiasm, scores the most touchdowns, and generally dominates the field. Past winners have included a variety of breeds, from Border Collies to Pit Bull mixes, highlighting the star power of all rescue dogs.
- The Underdog Award: A special recognition for the pup who overcame the most significant obstacles or challenges to participate. This award often goes to one of the special needs or smaller players, celebrating their resilience and spirit.
How to Watch Puppy Bowl 2025 and Support Adoption
Puppy Bowl XXI is not just a television event; it is the original and longest-running call-to-adoption television special. Every single puppy and kitten featured in the program is a rescue animal, and all of them are available for adoption.
Viewing Details:
- Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
- Time: 2:00 PM ET / 11:00 AM PT
- Where to Watch: The event will be simulcast across multiple channels and streaming services, including Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, TruTV, Max, and Discovery Plus.
The Adoption Mission:
The ultimate goal of the Puppy Bowl, sponsored by partners like Pedigree, is to raise awareness for pet adoption and encourage viewers to support their local shelters. Organizations like the Helen Woodward Animal Center, Best Friends Animal Society, and Watermelon Mountain Ranch are just a few of the many participants whose hard work is celebrated on the field. By tuning in, you are supporting a movement that has resulted in a 100% adoption rate for all participating puppies over the past two decades.
Whether you're rooting for Team Ruff's agility or Team Fluff's power, Puppy Bowl XXI is a guaranteed feel-good event. Mark your calendars for February 9, 2025, and prepare for the most adorable sports competition of the year!
Detail Author:
- Name : Ms. Trycia Goldner
- Username : keira.bradtke
- Email : pkoepp@hickle.com
- Birthdate : 1974-11-05
- Address : 37167 Swaniawski Locks North Noreneberg, MS 76074
- Phone : +1 (843) 412-1408
- Company : Runolfsdottir-Wehner
- Job : Trainer
- Bio : Minus quas dolores et. Magnam est facilis ea repudiandae aut. Ea eaque doloribus qui molestias. Id placeat sed ad officia.
Socials
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/llewellyn3419
- username : llewellyn3419
- bio : Rem aut rerum dignissimos asperiores.
- followers : 6634
- following : 2310
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/lcrona
- username : lcrona
- bio : Et et qui ut. Maiores dolorem maxime dolorum in vero velit. Et ut sunt quam quas nihil ad.
- followers : 5222
- following : 1195
