For the last 14 years, Animal Planet has provided non-football fans a cute, furry alternative to the Super Bowl: the Puppy Bowl.
The countdown to #PuppyBowl XIV has begun! Head to our Instagram to meet this year’s starting line up! https://t.co/thm5eJGH1k pic.twitter.com/W481gOxiPZ
— DiscoveryComm (@DiscoveryComm) January 10, 2018
Two teams of adopted puppies (Team Ruff and Team Fluff) attempt to play a game of football in a model stadium while the action is commentated on with a broadcast crew and sideline "repawter," and officiated by a "rufferee."
MORE: Everything you need to know about Super Bowl 52
This year, the puppies were rescued from areas hit by natural disasters in 2017, such as Houston, Puerto Rico and Florida. About 48 different animal shelters and rescue organizations from 25 U.S. states and territories were used to recruit the two teams.
Here is everything you need to know to watch the cuddliest show on turf.
When is Puppy Bowl 2018?
The Puppy Bowl will take place the same day as the Super Bowl, Feb. 4, starting at 3 p.m. ET on Animal Planet. As the Patriots prepare for the Eagles, the Puppy Bowl will feature the "Pup-triots" and the "B-eagles."
MORE: Watch the best 2018 Super Bowl commercials | Celebs at SB 52 parties
If viewers can't wait until 3 p.m. for puppy-related programming, Animal Planet will have Puppy Bowl pregame shows starting as early as 8 a.m. with an hour-long show of a panel of experts explaining what makes puppies so irresistible. Dog-lovers can also rewatch the game at 6 p.m., when the Super Bowl is on, but good luck changing the channel if there are other humans around.
Puppy Bowl 2018: New features and extras
While any Puppy Bowl may sound like a dream come true for dog-lovers, the downside for many viewers is that they can't get close and interact with the adorable canines themselves. However, Animal Planet has decided to try and change that this time around.
The event is diving into the world of virtual reality in 2018. Viewers with access to the Discovery VR iOS and Android apps, Samsung VR, and the Animal Planet YouTube channel, will be able to see the game through the puppies' point of view, and also get a chance to see Puppy Bowl Training Camp in 360-video.
If for some reason the prospect of adult dogs is more appealing than puppies, Animal Planet has you covered. For the first time ever, a one-hour special airing Feb. 3 (8 p.m. ET) called the Dog Bowl will turn the spotlight on older canines in need of homes.
The Animal Planet Twitter account has been promoting the Puppy Bowl all NFL season with "prediction" videos where puppies choose a winner based on which labeled bowl of food is finished first.
Team Jacksonville or team New England? Our #PuppyBowl pups predict the winner of this big game! #JAXvsNE pic.twitter.com/BGk3qnKmx3
— AnimalPlanet (@AnimalPlanet) January 19, 2018
The puppies aren't experts, but they're certainly trying their best. Animal Planet's other social media accounts have been posting content appropriate for the big furry face-off.
Is there a national anthem?
Kinda. This year, Jokgu, a piano-playing chicken, will be responsible for playing the "Star-Spangled Banner" before the game kicks off.
Jokgu will be joined by other non-dogs including baby barnyard animal cheerleaders and a rescue sloth referee.