If your Super Bowl Sunday plans include cozy blankets, snacks, and the uncontrollable urge to say “awww” every five seconds, then Puppy Bowl XXII is officially your main event.
The original and longest-running call-to-adoption television special returns to Animal Planet this Sunday (February 8), simulcasting across Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and discovery+. And this year? The Puppy Bowl is bigger, bolder, and more emotional-support-coded than ever.
With a record-breaking 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, Puppy Bowl XXII blends chaotic touchdowns, celebrity cameos, and truly powerful adoption stories — all overseen by the one and only Dan Schachner, aka Puppy Bowl’s legendary “Rufferee,” who’s back for his 15th year on the field.
As the only human surrounded by dozens of zooming, tumbling, tail-wagging athletes, Schachner admits the moment still hits him every time.
“To see them all in the holding area, the locker room — that is when the moment hits me when you first walk into the stadium and see how big our rosters are,” he told Celeb Secrets host Juliet Schroder exclusively during a virtual interview. “When I first started 15 years ago, our roster was just under 50… now it’s tripled. It’s incredible to watch the impact of this show.”
And if you thought Puppy Bowl couldn’t get any cuter, you’re about to be proven wrong. Every year, Puppy Bowl finds a way to top itself, but according to Schachner, this season is operating on a whole new emotional wavelength.
“In addition to having the most amount of dogs ever, we have the most amount of special needs dogs ever,” he shared. “With 15, we have dogs that are hearing impaired, sight impaired… missing a leg, maybe in a wheelchair. But they blend right in with their team — Team Ruff or Team Fluff — and they score touchdowns just like anyone else.”
This year also makes history with the introduction of the Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown, a senior-dog exhibition matchup featuring Team Oldies vs. Team Goldies, designed to spotlight older pups who often get overlooked in shelters — and absolutely deserve their moment under the stadium lights. Basically, Puppy Bowl XXII said representation matters and meant it.
“Anytime you have a dog that’s not a puppy, they have a harder time being adopted,” Schachner explained. “We’re using the platform to showcase the spotlight on those guys as well.”
The action kicks off at the Marriott Bonvoy Puppy Bowl Hotel, where Schachner rounds up the players before they take the field at Progressive® Stadium. Reigning champs Team Fluff are back to defend their Lombarky title with stars like Benito and Showgirl, while Team Ruff is ready to steal the crown behind pups like Lobster Roll, Brûlée, and Miso.
Along the way, one standout athlete will earn the coveted BISSELL® MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title, while another will take home the SUBARU® Underdog Award — and yes, the iconic Walmart Lombarky Trophy is very much on the line. But don’t expect traditional football scores.
“We would lead the league in belly rubs, naps… bathing in the water bowl,” Schachner joked. “And honestly, we beat human sports when it comes to scoring as our games end like 89 to 87.”
After 15 years on the field, Schachner thought he’d seen it all — until Puppy Bowl XXII delivered a moment so cute it literally stopped play.
“One dog falls asleep in the middle of me issuing him a penalty,” he revealed. “I’m literally holding the dog, about to throw the flag… and they were so bored by what I was saying that they fall asleep in my arms. I actually had to retract the penalty because it was so adorable.”
While the touchdowns, tail spins, and accidental end-zone zoomies are elite entertainment, Puppy Bowl’s real impact happens after the cameras stop rolling. Following the Big Game, each dog finds their forever homes and shelters see a major boost in adoptions.
“The most satisfying part is the days after Puppy Bowl,” Schachner shared. “The rescues report a huge uptick in adoption increase because they were on the Puppy Bowl. You’re really rescuing the rescues.”
And for Schachner, that mission is personal. During Puppy Bowl XX, he met his now-dog Whistle, who served as his assistant referee before officially becoming his forever pup.
“I did fall in love during that week,” he said. “And we made it official.”
Beyond the touchdowns and tail wagging, Puppy Bowl XXII delivers a stacked lineup of fan-favorite moments and brand-new surprises. Viewers can expect celebrity cameos like Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir, who trains Button the pup at Highmark Stadium, alongside shelter staff cheering on their puppy players from home. The iconic kitten halftime crew returns in the TEMPTATIONS™ Skybox, while the beloved Wisdom Panel™ DNA reveals and emotional “Pup Close and Personal” segments spotlight each player’s journey to the field.
The celebration begins even earlier with the Puppy Bowl XXII Kickoff Show at 1PM ET/10AM PT, where Schachner and lead trainer Victoria Schade host the Puppy Combine, scout top prospects, and draft the next generation of Puppy Bowl stars. Behind the scenes, it takes nearly a week of filming and close to 100 crew members to bring the three-hour event to life. According to Schachner, its a massive production that somehow still feels cozy, chaotic, completely joyful and still the most emotionally stable thing on television.
“There are so many elements that go into making it,” Schachner said. “It’s a massive production.”
For anyone who’s never watched Puppy Bowl before, Schachner insists there’s no better place to start than this year’s game.
“With Puppy Bowl, you’ve got built-in drama, passion, and entertainment that will rival human football,” he told Celeb Secrets. “Everyone can cheer these teams on. They always have a happy ending. And you’ll watch puppies score touchdowns in ways you could never imagine.”
For more on Puppy Bowl XXII, make sure to watch our full interview with Dan below — and don’t forget to tune into the big game when it airs this Sunday, February 8 at 2PM ET/11AM PT on Animal Planet, simulcasting across Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max, and discovery+.
Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.
