What to Know About the 20th Anniversary 2024 Puppy Bowl — Including How to Watch It

2024 Puppy Bowl is just around the corner, and it's gearing up to be the most heart-melting event of the year! Dan Schachner, the seasoned referee affectionately dubbed the "ruffaree," returns for the 20th Anniversary.

While there may be cuteness overload, Schachner reminded fans that there is an actual game going on as he explained what kind of calls he has to make.

“All of them. Everything that a human football (game) has," he said. “The typical ones. Sniffing, excessive drooling, bathing in the water bowl, neutral bone infraction and the most popular is illegal odor downfield.”

What is the Puppy Bowl?

The Puppy Bowl isn't just a spectacle of cuteness—it's a heartwarming event that showcases rescue puppies in need of forever homes. Each year, adorable puppies from shelters across the country compete in a miniature football game, capturing the hearts of viewers and encouraging pet adoption.

This heartwarming annual “competition” is held every Super Bowl Sunday to raise awareness about the importance of animal adoption. The 2024 Puppy Bowl will feature 131 dogs selected from 73 shelters. The pups will play for either Team Ruff or Team Fluff in hopes of winning the Lombarky Trophy. Puppy Bowl points are earned by any player dragging any toy into any end zone — basically, everyone’s a winner!

Here's everything you need to know before the furry athletes hit the field:

When is Puppy Bowl?

Mark your calendars for Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. ET, with the pregame show kicking off at 1 p.m. on Animal Planet.

Where to Watch

Catch all the tail-wagging action on Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, Max, and discovery+.

Who's Competing?

It's a showdown between Team Fluff and Team Ruff, vying for the coveted "Lombarky" trophy. With a record-breaking 131 puppies from 73 shelters and rescue groups across 36 states, this year's lineup promises to be the most heartwarming yet. What's more, all puppies are available for adoption, ensuring that every touchdown scored leads to a loving forever home.

With a 100% adoption rate and plenty of heartwarming moments in store, this year's Puppy Bowl promises to be one for the books. So, gather your furry friends and tune in for an afternoon of puppy love and tail-wagging fun!