Puppy Bowl 2026 First Look: Meet 123 Adorable Doggy Players, All Available For Adoption - Yahoo...

This year's event will also spotlight 15 special needs dogs and showcase senior dogs in a special halftime exhibition.

In what is surely the most pawsome news of the day, this means there's an entirely new, adorable, and totally adoptable lineup of furry players to root for. This year's three-hour sports spectacular includes a record-breaking 150 dogs from 72 shelters across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, and will — as always! — feature heartwarming adoption stories and show-stopping matchups.

Fan-favorite referee Dan Schachner returns for his 15th year to oversee the action, which also includes new and returning segments, as well as celebrity cameos from the Buffalo Bills' Khalil Shakir, and more.

Reigning champions Team Fluff will send players including Benito (Siberian Husky-Chihuahua) and Showgirl (Chow Chow-Rottweiler) to defend their title. Meanwhile, Lobster Roll (Bulldog-Border Collie), Brûlée (Boston Terrier-French Bulldog), and Miso (American Cattle Dog-Beagle) will compete to bring the coveted "Lombarky" trophy to Team Ruff. Awards for the MVP (that's Most Valuable Puppy, of course) and the Underdog title will be given out as well.

And be sure to have tissues on hand: This year's event will also spotlight 15 special needs dogs, including Wynonna, a determined pup with only three-legs, and Eleanor, who is both deaf and vision-impaired. Additionally, for the first time ever, the Puppy Bowl will also showcase senior dogs in a special exhibition game, as Team Oldies and Team Goldies go head-to-head in the all-new Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown. (We're not crying, you're crying!)