(Credit: Animal Planet)
February 9 represents peak NFL football, with millions of people tuning into Super Bowl LIX on cable or via streaming video services. However, truly cultured sports connoisseurs will check out the other big game taking place earlier that day: Puppy Bowl XXI.
Our Favorite Streaming Services for Watching Puppy Bowl XXI
What Is the Puppy Bowl?
The Puppy Bowl is the cutest counterprogramming you'll ever see. Broadcast the same day as the Super Bowl, the three-hour Puppy Bowl pits two teams of shelter and rescue dogs, Team Ruff and Team Fluff, against each other to fetch the ultimate doggy prize: The Lombarky Trophy. It's like Air Bud, but designed to raise awareness about animal adoption.
How Can I Watch the Puppy Bowl?
Puppy Bowl XXI kicks off on February 9 at 2 p.m. ET. Familiar referees and commentators will return, but there is no word yet on any famous human hosts or coaches, such as Martha Stewart or Snoop Dogg from previous years. Before the game, you can also watch preshows, retrospectives, and other Puppy Bowl specials to prep for the adorable action. This year's show even features a sneak peek at James Gunn's upcoming Superman, a movie costarring Clark's super canine companion, Krypto.
You can watch the Puppy Bowl via traditional cable or a live TV service. This year, the show will be simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, and TruTV. You can also stream the event as it airs via Discovery+ (starting at $5.99 per month) or Max (starting at $9.99 per month). Max is a worthy subscription service with more than just animals playing sports. From cooking competitions to unbelievably dramatic reality shows, it delivers the sublime trashiness that the streaming service ecosystem desperately needs now paired with HBO's prestige films and TV shows.
Can You Watch the Puppy Bowl With a VPN?
Discovery+ doesn't work with VPNs, so international fans of American dog football may be out of luck. However, in prior testing, we've had some success streaming Max over a VPN. Check out the best VPNs for video streaming for more recommendations.
Recommended by Our Editors
The Best VPNs for Video Streaming
Beyond the Puppy Bowl: Pet Tech for Your Furry Friends
Excited for the Puppy Bowl? Bark off in the comments. For more on mutts, point your browser to the best dog DNA testing kits and the top pet trackers.
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