As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, one of New Jersey’s most family-friendly and heart-warming traditions is returning to Jersey City with a unique, interactive twist. Liberty Science Center is once again welcoming guests for its second annual Puppy Bowl experience, bringing the playful spirit of the national broadcast directly into a live, in-person setting that blends entertainment, education, and community impact.

Inside the science center’s stadium-style space, visitors can watch teams of energetic puppy “players” face off in short, fast-paced games lasting approximately 20 minutes each. The format mirrors the fun and spectacle of the televised Puppy Bowl, but the real magic is happening just a few feet away from the action. The puppies participating in Liberty Science Center’s event are visiting from The Seeing Eye, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization internationally recognized for its work training dogs to assist people who are blind or visually impaired.

The event turns a lighthearted competition into a meaningful opportunity to spotlight service-dog training, animal welfare, and the extraordinary bond between humans and working dogs. For many families, the live Puppy Bowl experience becomes a powerful first introduction to how puppies grow into life-changing companions.

The timing of Liberty Science Center’s celebration is no coincidence. Puppy Bowl XXII will air nationally on Sunday, February 8, 2026, serving as the ultimate pre-game event ahead of Super Bowl LX. The broadcast has become a cultural staple in its own right, offering viewers an uplifting and joyful alternative to traditional sports programming while showcasing the life-saving work of shelters and rescue organizations.

This year’s Puppy Bowl is the largest ever produced.

A record-setting 150 adoptable dogs from 72 shelters across 30 states, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands will take part in the televised event. The scale of participation reflects the growing reach of animal-rescue partnerships and the increasing national spotlight placed on shelter adoption and special-needs animals.

The on-air festivities begin with the kickoff show at 1 p.m. Eastern, followed by the main event from 2 to 5 p.m. Viewers can watch across multiple networks, including Animal Planet, Discovery Channel, TBS, and truTV, with streaming available on both Max and discovery+.

At the center of the competition once again are the two beloved teams, Team Ruff and Team Fluff, battling for the coveted Lombarky Trophy. This year introduces a brand-new highlight: the Pro-Dog Halftime Showdown, an exhibition game featuring senior dogs on Team Oldies and Team Goldies. The segment is designed to celebrate older rescue dogs and encourage adoption of pets often overlooked in traditional shelter environments.

The 2026 broadcast also continues its commitment to representing dogs of all abilities. Fifteen of this year’s puppy athletes have special needs, including Wynonna, a three-legged Miniature American Shepherd, and Eleanor, who is both deaf and visually impaired. Their participation sends a clear message that disability does not diminish playfulness, personality, or the ability to thrive in a loving home.

Fans can also take part in the Pupularity Playoffs by voting online for the “Most Pupular” dog, with the winner announced on February 7, adding an interactive element that extends excitement beyond the television screen.

Among the featured four-legged stars this year, Team Fluff includes standouts such as Benito, Showgirl, and Chappell Bone, while Team Ruff brings its own roster of crowd favorites, including Lobster Roll, Brûlée, and Miso. Each pup represents a rescue story, a shelter community, and a second chance.

For New Jersey, this year’s Puppy Bowl carries special regional significance.

Two Garden State shelters are represented on the national stage. The Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees Township is sending Finch to compete on Team Fluff, while Ziva Dog Rescue in Chatham is represented by Lilah, also playing for Team Fluff. Their participation places New Jersey directly into one of the most widely watched animal-adoption showcases in the country.

Beyond state lines, the Northeast remains a major contributor to the Puppy Bowl roster. Shelters from Pennsylvania and New York are sending multiple dogs into the game, including Harley’s Haven Dog Rescue in Perkasie, Phoenix Animal Rescue in Chester Springs, Providence Animal Center in Media, Nickel City Canine Rescue in Buffalo, and Brandywine Valley SPCA in West Chester and Delaware. Together, they account for a large share of the puppies competing this year, reinforcing the region’s deep commitment to rescue and rehabilitation.

The national scope of the event stretches even further. From the Midwest, shelters in Indiana and Michigan are represented, while the South and Southeast contribute pups from Virginia, Kentucky, and Florida. The West Coast joins in through rescue organizations in Los Angeles and Rancho Santa Fe, California.

International and island partners add another meaningful dimension to this year’s broadcast. The Sato Project, which rescues dogs from Puerto Rico and facilitates adoptions through its Brooklyn base, is represented by fan favorite Benito. The Humane Society of the British Virgin Islands makes history this year with Miss Coco, the first Puppy Bowl participant ever to come from outside the United States and Puerto Rico.

While Puppy Bowl has become a beloved television tradition, Liberty Science Center’s live event gives New Jersey families something truly unique: an up-close encounter with puppies who are already beginning a journey toward service, therapy, and lifelong partnership.

The collaboration with The Seeing Eye highlights a powerful local connection, reminding visitors that some of the most impactful work in animal training and accessibility happens right here in New Jersey. Guests learn how puppies are selected, socialized, and prepared for the rigorous training required to become guide dogs, offering an educational experience layered beneath the excitement of the games themselves.

For sports fans looking for a lighter side of competition during Super Bowl weekend, Puppy Bowl continues to serve as a joyful counterpoint to high-stakes football. Those following both sides of the weekend spectacle—from championship grids to canine touchdowns—can find more coverage of New Jersey’s broader game-day culture and events through Explore New Jersey’s football coverage, which connects professional matchups, fan experiences, and community celebrations across the state.

From national television screens to an interactive stadium inside Liberty Science Center, Puppy Bowl weekend in New Jersey has evolved into something much bigger than a novelty event. It is a celebration of rescue, training, compassion, and community—and a reminder that sometimes the most memorable plays come with wagging tails, muddy paws, and a whole lot of heart.