Animal Planet Puppy Bowl XI
The greatest sports event of the year is almost here: Puppy Bowl XI! We can’t wait to watch 55 adorable puppies battle it out for the coveted MVP (Most Valuable Puppy) title.

It’s hard to imagine how Animal Planet could outdo last year’s 10th anniversary edition of the game, but this year’s event is poised to be even cuter and fluffier, with the promise of giggling goat cheerleaders, a halftime performance by Katty Purry, live Twitter updates from sideline reporter Meep the Bird, a canine tailgate party, an appearance by Lil Bub and more. And in an exciting new twist, the puppies will compete on one of two teams: Team Ruff versus Team Fluff.

The best part of the Puppy Bowl, though, is that the puppies and kittens (who perform during the halftime show) hail from shelters and rescue groups from across the United States and Puerto Rico — and all are either are up for adoption or have already found forever homes. That’s a win for everyone!

Puppy Bowl XI premieres on Animal Planet on Sunday, February 1, from 3 to 5 p.m. EST, right before the Super Bowl, and repeats through the evening (in case you need a break from real football). In the meantime, check out the slideshow below to meet the Puppy Bowl starting lineup — and then head over to Animal Planet to create a fantasy football roster of your favorites.

Boomer

Boomer

Breed: Husky
Age: 17 weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Champion chess player
Falcor

Falcor

Breed: Clumber Spaniel
Age: 14½  weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Has a crush on Miley Cyrus
Faulkner

Faulkner

Breed: Great Pyrenees-Lab mix
Age: 12 weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Wants to be on Dancing With the Stars
Kiaria

Kiaria

Breed: Pekingese-Japanese Chin mix
Age: 12 weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Loves car rides
Lewis

Lewis

Breed: Shar-Pei
Age: 12 weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Can name every state capital
Titan

Titan

Breed: Bulldog mix
Age: 12 weeks
Team: Team Ruff
Fun Fact: Fluent in English, Spanish and Japanese
Aaron

Aaron

Breed: Boxer
Age: 13 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Trained at The Royal Shakespeare Company
Chicklet

Chicklet

Breed: Sheltie mix
Age: 15 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Wants to visit all 50 states
Drew Carey

Drew Carey

Breed: Cocker Spaniel
Age: 12 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Loves to bid $1 on The Price Is Right
Maggie

Maggie

Breed: Beagle-Dachshund mix
Age: 20 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Was first in line to buy the new iPhone
Pepper

Pepper

Breed: Shih Tzu-Terrier mix
Age: 14 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Can't wait for the new Star Wars movie
Savannah

Savannah

Breed: Shih Tzu
Age: 13 weeks
Team: Team Fluff
Fun Fact: Thinks Lorde is overrated