Taking the stage for this year's Super Bowl 56 will be the Los Angeles Rams and The Cincinnati Bengals. But first, on Discovery+ and Animal Planet, is a show that promises an array of cuteness and many more heartwarming stories.

For the "Ready, Set, Pup! Puppy Bowl XVIII", adorable pups will compete for Team Ruff or Team Fluff to win the coveted CHEWY Lombarky trophy. Festivities will air before the Super Bowl at 2 p.m. EST or 11 a.m. PST on Feb. 13.

Where to watch "Puppy Bowl XVIII"?

"Puppy Bowl XVIII" will stream on Discovery+ and can also be watched live on Animal Planet on Feb. 13th, starting at 2 p.m. EST, which will feature over 100 adorable puppies, already adopted, unfortunately.

Subscribers to Discovery+ can access the festivities, or new users can sign up for a free trial. Those with cable access can watch with Animal Planet or stream the game online by providing credentials from their TV provider:

The full schedule for the Puppy Bowl festivities is‌:

  • Feb. 12, Puppy Bowl Scrimmage On TikTok, 2 p.m. EST: “What better way to prepare for the Puppy Bowl than by watching our official scrimmage live on Animal Planet's TikTok at 2 p.m. ET on February 12.”
  • Feb. 13, From Puppy Bowl With Love, 11 a.m. EST: “This Valentine's Day, Dan the Referee returns to share the most lovable moments in Puppy Bowl history; celebrating the love of puppies; re-discovering the biggest flirts, the cutest plays and penalties, and more.”
  • Feb. 13, Puppy Bowl Pregame Show, 1 p.m. EST: “Get the inside scoop on Cooper Pup and his fellow pack of canine contenders. Hear from expert analysts and enjoy exclusives from Team Ruff and Team Fluff. This year's big game features a record lineup with [over] 100 puppies from rescue organizations located across the nation. Watch at 1p ET on Animal Planet or stream it on discovery+.”
  • Feb. 13, Ready, Set, Pup! Puppy Bowl XVIII, 2 p.m. EST: “Everyone’s favorite game is back in action! PUPPY BOWL is back with more ear pulls, tail tugs, sloppy kisses, and touchdowns you won't want to miss. Get ready to cheer on the puppy players of Team Ruff and Team Fluff as they give it their all. Watch PUPPY BOWL XVIII on Sunday, February 13 at 2p ET on Animal Planet and stream on discovery+.” “The legendary duo, Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg are returning to the other ‘big game’ this year. They'll be hosting and also coaching at PUPPY BOWL XVIII.”
1641529051739
Featuring Squeak, the Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix, a player for Team Fluff in this year's Puppy Bowl XVIII Animal Planet/Discovery/Dogist

The three-hour-long competition between pups, which will also feature the much loved and necessary kitty halftime show, will bring awareness to the need to adopt puppies. Shelters across the country face a crisis of resources and an overwhelming number of animals who need their help, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis has only worsened.

However, the main competition will be between Team Ruff and Team Fluff, coached by celebrities coaches Martha Stewart and Snoop Dog, respectively, and feature celebrity groomer Jess Rona. Snoop and Stewart are expected to provide “​​play updates as they cheer on their teams while giving each other a few challenges along the way.”

“They'll take the game to an all-new level as they hit the Gridiron,” Discovery revealed.

They will also “lead training sessions, run drills, and provide motivation and encouragement to inspire their all-adoptable puppy players to greatness.” Coaching is important because pups will compete for the most valuable player based on who scores the most touchdowns.

This year will also feature Puppy Bowl NFTs to be released on the day of the big game. Watchers who purchase Puppy Bowl NFTs will ‌benefit the Orange Twins Rescue, founded by Scott and Brian Nicholson with singer Ariana Grande.

“Each Puppy Bowl NFT design features a fun, visual tribute to Puppy Bowl and the spirit of the big game,” according to Discovery.

RELATED STORIES