Meet Puppy Bowl 2025 adoptable doggy players

One of the best things about the Super Bowl is the annual counterprogramming, in which the most adorable players ever engage in their own showdown and really ruff up the competition. It’s Puppy Bowl XXI!

In the event’s 21st year, a whopping 142 canines come from 80 shelters in 40 states and two countries. That’s the largest numbers of dogs who have competed yet. While it’s a lot of fun just to watch, the day is all about encouraging pet adoption, and viewers will be able to call in and connect with some of the pets.

This year’s competitors include Julep, the first St. Bernard-mix featured in the game, and Smoosh, the only Pekingese ever to play. Eleven special needs dogs are also part of the pack, including Jolene, a mix of American pit bull and terrier who uses a wheelchair, and Sprinkle, an Australian shepherd mix, who’s blind and hearing-impaired.

The puppies will be awarded with various (cutely-named) prizes, such as “Lombarky” trophies.

Puppy Bowl XXI airs Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and Discovery+.

See below for a peek at 50 of this year’s athletes.