We’ve performed hundreds of shows for the NFL, NBA, MiLB, NCAA, MLS, and conference tournaments. This page covers everything a game presentation or fan experience manager needs to know before reaching out: formats, logistics, paperwork, and what we need from your venue.
If your question isn’t answered here, email info@halftimedogs.com or call Todd at (619) 889-5859.
What we bring, and what we need
We bring the performers, the dogs, and the discs.
We need from you a safe performance surface, a way to get the dogs and crates into the building, and a parking spot for a full-size van near that entrance. That’s it. No staging, no equipment, no tech requirements.
There is no setup. When it’s our turn, we walk out with a stack of frisbees and start. There is no rehearsal required, though if you have a practice court or warm-up space available, we’ll use it.
Sound is whatever you already do. Most venues just have their announcer bring us out and play some music. We’ll send music tracks and a suggested announcer read if you want them, or play whatever you like. We’re not particular about it — your DJ knows your crowd better than we do.
Show formats
Basketball halftime: 5 to 6 minutes
High-energy freestyle disc choreographed to music, whether that’s your tracks or ours. One to two performers, two to three dogs. Fits inside a standard halftime window and clears the floor on time, every time.
Football, soccer, and rugby: 5 to 6 minutes, plus long bombs
Everything in the basketball show, plus the long-distance throws that only work on a full field.
The long bomb
On a full field we throw the length of it: 70 to 80 yards on a typical game day, with the dog running it down in stride.
Our longest catch at a live sporting event is 92 yards, set at Stetson University in 2021. In open-field distance competition several of our throwers regularly clear 100 yards.
Venues often want an attempt to be part of the show, and the attempt is half the fun: the crowd counts down, the PA gets involved, and whether or not it lands, everybody’s on their feet. Our 83-yard catch at an Orlando Apollos game made SportsCenter’s Top 10 and passed 20 million views.
Media timeout format
If your marching band owns halftime, we’ll work your media timeouts instead: on the field throughout the game, throwing with the dogs during breaks. We’ve done exactly this format for SEC football.
Baseball: pre-game and between innings
Baseball run-of-show is different from a halftime window, and we build to fit it. Pre-game, between innings, or ahead of a post-game fireworks show.
Extended ground act: 20 to 25 minutes
For festivals, fairs, family weekends, campus events, and school assemblies. Multiple performers, more dogs, more tricks, more crowd participation.
Meet & greet and photo sessions
Add 20 to 30 minutes after any show for fans to meet the dogs up close. Popular for family weekends, kids’ days, and community nights.
Pre-game teaser: about 1 minute
A short taste before kickoff or tip to build anticipation for the main show.
MBB / WBB doubleheader
Two shows, ideally the same day or same weekend, at a reduced combined rate.
Logistics
| Arrival | 1 to 2 hours before game time, unless you need us earlier |
| Setup time required | None |
| Rehearsal required | None |
| Load-in | Any entrance where we can park close and carry crates in. A loading dock is easiest, but a service door or side entrance works fine. |
| Vehicle | Full-size cargo van. We’ll send exact make, model, height, and plate for your credentialing. |
| Parking | One spot for a full-size van, near the load-in point |
| Dog relief area | A patch of grass nearby, if there is one. Helpful before the show. |
| Sound | Whatever you normally use. We’ll send music files and a suggested announcer read on request, or use your own. Either is fine. |
| Warm-up space | Nice to have, not required |
Surfaces and floor protection
We perform on hardwood, turf, natural grass, sport court, and matted pavement.
Our dogs wear purpose-built boots on hard flooring. They give the dogs traction for hard cuts and landings, and they will not mark or damage your floor. If your facilities team has questions, put them in touch. We’ve been through this conversation with a lot of arena managers.
What we need is a safe surface and enough clear space for the dogs to run and land. For basketball, the court itself is plenty. For long bombs, we need field length.
What we can’t do: hot asphalt or bare blacktop in warm weather. Pavement gets dangerously hot for the dogs’ paws and we won’t put them on it. If a parking lot is your only option, we’ll need matting or turf laid down, or a start time after the surface has cooled. Tell us early and we’ll work it out.
Insurance and paperwork
- General liability: $2,000,000 occurrence limit / $4,000,000 aggregate limit
- Certificate of insurance: provided on request, before the event
- Additional insured / wording: tell us exactly how your business office needs the COI to read and we’ll have it issued that way. University AP departments are often specific about this, and getting it right the first time saves everyone two weeks.
- W-9: available on request
- Vendor registration: we’ll complete PaymentWorks or your equivalent system as part of the booking process, not after the show
Cancellation policy
If you cancel the day before the event and our performer has not yet begun traveling, there is no charge.
If you cancel the day of the event, we collect half the contracted fee.
Weather, schedule changes, and things outside anyone’s control happen. Talk to us early and we’ll work with you.
What affects the cost
We quote per event. The number depends on:
- Event tier: professional, Power Four, mid-major, or campus event
- Travel distance from the nearest performer
- Show length and format: a 5-minute halftime and a 25-minute ground act with a meet & greet are different products
- Single event vs. doubleheader or multi-day: bundling reduces the per-show cost
- Date flexibility: this is the big one. If we’re already going to be in your region, we can work out a better rate. Always tell us if your dates are flexible.
Our fee includes all travel and expenses. There are no add-on costs, no per diem, no rider.
Email info@halftimedogs.com with your event type, venue, city, and target dates and we’ll come back with a number.
How a booking works
- You reach out with your event, venue, and possible dates.
- We confirm availability and send a quote.
- You pick a date. We send a performance contract and invoice.
- Paperwork clears: contract signed, COI issued to your specifications, W-9 and vendor registration completed.
- About a week out, we send the script and music, and your performer connects directly with your game-day contact.
- Game day. We arrive on time, we perform, we clear the floor on schedule.
Most bookings go from first email to signed contract in under two weeks. If you’re up against a deadline, say so and we’ll move faster.
Ready to talk dates?
info@halftimedogs.com | (619) 889-5859
Tell us your event type, venue, city, and a few possible dates. If your dates are flexible, mention that. It often gets you a better rate.