The 21st annual Puppy Bowl delivered another heartwarming victory as Team Fluff narrowly defeated Team Ruff 68‑66 in one of the closest finishes in the event's history. Broadcast on Sunday, February 9, 2025, the three‑hour canine competition brought together 142 rescue puppies from shelters across 40 states, all while showcasing the adorable alternative to Super Bowl Sunday programming. With a record‑breaking adoption drive and a nail‑biting final score, Puppy Bowl XXI proved once again why it remains a beloved tradition for pet lovers nationwide.
How the Puppy Bowl Unfolded: Time, Channel, and Streaming Details
Puppy Bowl 2025 kicked off at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (11 a.m. Pacific) and ran for three hours, wrapping up at 5 p.m. ET. For the first time, the pre‑game show—dubbed the “Puppy Combine”—began an hour earlier at 1 p.m. ET, giving viewers an inside look at how the pups were drafted based on their skills and sheer cuteness. The main event was simulcast across four linear networks: Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, and truTV. Cord‑cutters could stream the action live on Max (formerly HBO Max) and Discovery+, making it accessible to virtually every household.
“You have to be young, adorable and adoptable,” explained former NFL referee turned “ruffaree” Dan Schachner, who has officiated every Puppy Bowl since 2012. This year’s roster featured 142 rescue dogs from 80 shelters across 40 states and two countries, all of whom were available for adoption during the broadcast. The lineup included clever nods to NFL stars such as Paws Allen, Dee‑Bone Samuel, and Saquon Barkly, adding a playful touch for football fans.
Timeline: The Road to Puppy Bowl XXI’s Thrilling Finish
The game followed a classic back‑and‑forth pattern that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Team Fluff, seeking redemption after losing the previous year, jumped to an early lead thanks to a touchdown by Foxtrot, a border‑collie mix from Minnesota. Team Ruff answered with a series of scores, including a key touchdown by a pup named Mercury, who later earned the “Underdog Award.” The two teams traded leads throughout the afternoon, with the outcome still in doubt as the clock wound down.
In the final minute, with Team Ruff trailing by just two points, a last‑second drive came up short when a puppy from Team Fluff intercepted a toy in the end zone. The final whistle sealed a 68‑66 victory for Team Fluff, marking the second time in three years that the squad had claimed the Lombarky Trophy. “It was a true nail‑biter,” Schachner said after the game. “These puppies left everything on the field.”
Why Puppy Bowl 2025 Matters: Adoption Impact and Record Viewership
Beyond the adorable chaos, the Puppy Bowl serves as the longest‑running call‑to‑adoption television event. Every puppy that appears on the broadcast is rescued from a shelter or rescue organization, and the exposure routinely leads to a surge in adoption inquiries. According to Animal Planet, previous Puppy Bowls have helped thousands of dogs find forever homes, and the 2025 edition was expected to continue that trend with its largest ever roster of adoptable pups.
While official viewership numbers for 2025 were not immediately released, the 2024 Puppy Bowl drew 12.6 million viewers across all platforms, and industry analysts projected a similar or larger audience for the 21st installment. The program regularly ranks as the top non‑sports cable telecast of Super Bowl Sunday, appealing to families, pet lovers, and even football fans looking for a lighthearted break from the main event.
Where Things Stand Now: Post‑Game Highlights and MVP Honors
In the days following the broadcast, the spotlight shifted to the individual puppies who stole the show. The Most Valuable Puppy (MVP) award went to Foxtrot, a 16‑week‑old border‑collie mix from Pet Haven in Minnesota. Foxtrot not only scored the game’s first touchdown but also displayed impressive speed and agility throughout the contest. “Foxtrot wowed fans with his energy and charm,” said one shelter representative. “We’ve already received dozens of adoption applications for him and his teammates.”
The “Underdog Award” was given to Mercury, a smaller pup who overcame early nerves to make several key plays. Meanwhile, the victory cemented Team Fluff’s status as a Puppy Bowl powerhouse, while Team Ruff vowed to come back stronger next year. All 142 puppies are now in the process of being adopted, with many shelters reporting that interest spiked dramatically after the broadcast.
What Happens Next: The Road to Puppy Bowl 2026
Planning for Puppy Bowl XXII is already underway, with Animal Planet and Discovery expected to announce the date and format later this year. Historically, the event airs on the Sunday of the Super Bowl, which in 2026 will fall on February 8. Organizers have hinted that next year’s edition may introduce new features, such as a “senior dog” segment or expanded international shelters, to keep the tradition fresh.
For now, fans can relive the 2025 highlights on Discovery+ and Max, and follow the adoption journeys of their favorite puppies through the shelters’ social‑media channels. The Puppy Bowl’s unique blend of cuteness, competition, and compassion ensures it will remain a staple of Super Bowl Sunday for years to come.
The Bottom Line: Key Points to Remember
- Date & Time: Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET (pre‑game at 1 p.m. ET).
- Channels: Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, plus streaming on Max and Discovery+.
- Final Score: Team Fluff 68, Team Ruff 66.
- MVP: Foxtrot, a border‑collie mix rescue dog from Minnesota.
- Adoption Impact: All 142 puppies are from shelters and are available for adoption.
Whether you tuned in for the fluffy tackles or the heartwarming adoption stories, Puppy Bowl 2025 delivered exactly what fans have come to expect—a delightful, family‑friendly spectacle that proves every dog can have its day.
