Forget a threepeat—Team Ruff and Team Fluff have been facing off for the Lombarky trophy for the past 21 years. And while they certainly are cuter than Andy Reid and Nick Sirianni, this contest is about more than the game. It’s a chance to raise awareness about pet adoptions.

After setting a record last year with 131 dogs on the field, the game is raising the bar once more, with 142 puppies from 80 shelters and rescues across 40 states and territories. You can meet all of this year’s puppy players here.  (Be sure to check out Paws Allen, a labrador retriever mix from Buffalo and Dee-Bone Samuel, a poodle mix who you might think was from Kansas City, but hails from Sacramento.)

So whether just need a break from the game, don’t care for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, or just prefer dogs to defensive ends, here’s all you need to see the Puppy Bowl 2025.

What channel is airing the 2025 Puppy Bowl?

Animal Planet hosts the exhibition—and it goes all-out. Pre-game programming starts at 6:00 a.m. ET and the game, post-game, replays and affiliated programming will dominate the network for the next 24 hours.

While the channels simulcasting the event aren’t quite that dedicated to it, you can also catch this year’s game on TBS, TruTV and Discovery Channel, as well as Max and discovery+.

What time does the 2025 Puppy Bowl begin?

Don’t want to watch 24 hours of dog-related programming? Fine.

Puppy Bowl XXI itself will begin at 2:00 p.m. ET and run for three hours. The official pre-game show, airing on Animal Planet, kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET.

The game will rerun twice in a row on Animal Planet following its conclusion.

Who’s the referee for the 2025 Puppy Bowl?

Dan Schachner, who has served as referee for the past 12 years, is back.

Sportscasters Steve Levy and Taylor Rooks will handle the play-by-play calls and the midgame break will be filled by the Kitty Halftime Show.  

Can I watch the 2025 Puppy Bowl for free over the air?

Sorry, but no. The Puppy Bowl is a cable exclusive.

How can I stream the 2025 Puppy bowl live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

Animal Planet (and the other channels carrying the game) is carried by multiple streaming services. If you don’t have a cable or satellite subscription, here are a few suggestions to try. (Also, as mentioned, Max and discovery+ will both carry the game.)

Max

The streaming service once known as HBO Max doesn’t have a free trial—and if you want to flip over to the Super Bowl, you’re out of luck. But if Puppy Bowl is your priority, subscriptions start at $9.99 per month.

Discovery+

New subscribers get up to 7 days to see what the service has to offer. After that, plans will start at $5.99 per month.

Disney+

Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $17 per month for all three combined (or $30 per month for no ads on Hulu).

Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).

Hulu with Live TV

The free trial on this service lasts three days. Afterward, it will cost you $77 per month.

YouTubeTV

After a free trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73.

Sling TV

Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, unfortunately.

DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow, and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $80 per month and up after the free trial option.

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $80 and up, depending on the channels you choose.

Can I adopt a dog during the Puppy Bowl?

You bet! That’s the best part of the game! Throughout the program, country singer Miranda Lambert will feature puppies (and kittens) from 14 shelters and rescues around the country, all of which are up for adoption. Just beware that they go fast.