Puppy Bowl is back! Yes, the real reason to look forward to Super Bowl Sunday is here. Puppy Bowl 2020 is actually Puppy Bowl XVI, and the "Sweet 16" lineup is as adorable as ever. Here are 10 things to know about the 16th annual Animal Planet show.
When Is Puppy Bowl 2020 On TV?
Puppy Bowl XVI will air on Animal Planet Sunday, February 2 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. It's a two-hour event, but it all starts with the Pre-Game Show at 2 p.m. ET with commentary and analysis.
What Are The Teams?
This year's teams are #TeamRuff vs. #TeamFluff.
How Many Puppies Are Competing?
In 2020, 96 puppies will storm the gridiron from 61 animal shelters and rescue organizations from 25 states and beyond. That makes this the biggest group yet. Check out Animal Planet's photos for the 42 dogs in the starting lineup!
International Puppies? Si!
The 2020 Puppy Bowl has more international puppies than ever before, with canines from Cartagena, Colombia; St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Toronto.
Five Special Needs Players
According to Animal Planet, Puppy Bowl 2020 will feature five special needs puppies -- including Ferris, a three-legged Labrador Retriever mix; two hearing impaired pups - Kismet, a Great Dane, and Paprika, a Chihuahua mix; Filbert, a blind and hearing impaired Shetland Sheepdog mix; and Rooster, an American Staffordshire Terrier /Bulldog mix with a cleft palate.
All Of The Animals Get Adopted
So many fans watch Puppy Bowl, fall in love with certain dogs, and think "How can I adopt that one?" Well, the adoption info and shelters are mentioned during the show while it's airing. But, heads up, some of the dogs may already be spoken for by the time you see them. For example, Candy -- the dog featured above from Animal Planet's starting line-up -- is competing in Puppy Bowl 2020 and she comes from Texas Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Inc. The rescue posted excitement about Candy competing but added "And, Yes.. she has been adopted." So far, the adoption rate for the show is 100%, which is fantastic. Anyone who can't adopt a dog they seen on TV should find one locally through Petfinder.com.
Kitty Halftime Show
Sure, Hallmark Channel has the equally adorable Kitten Bowl 2020, aka Kitten Bowl VII, which will also air Sunday afternoon -- at 2 p.m. ET and repeating at 5 p.m. ET. But if you want to stick with Animal Planet, the network isn't ignoring cat lovers. Halfway through Puppy Bowl we'll have the Kitty Half-Time Show, which should be a treat.
Don't Forget The Dog Bowl
Puppies don't get to have all the fun! Before Puppy Bowl gets going, the one-hour Dog Bowl 2020 will feature 65 adult and senior dogs from rescues and shelters. Team Goldies and Team Oldies compete on Saturday, February 1 (aka today) at 8 p.m. ET.
There Are Cool Humans To Watch Too
You're watching for the cute animals, but many canines will be featured through Pup Close and Personal profiles with celebrities like Jonathan and Drew Scott, and Whitney Cummings. There will also be "Dogs Life" features showing off some of the amazing organizations and dogs as they prep for their road to Dog Bowl. For example, country music superstar Emmylou Harris co-founded Crossroads Campus, a safe haven for adoptable dogs in Nashville, and that will be featured during Dog Bowl.
You Can Watch A Preview Now
Watch a preview of the 16th annual Puppy Bowl to get a feel for the new lineup:
Get more info on Puppy Bowl XVI on Animal Planet's site. Here's hoping all the good boys and girls get adopted ASAP! Keep up with everything premiering in early 2020 with our handy TV schedule.
