LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 05: LAS VEGAS, NV – FEBRUARY 05: NFC wide receiver CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys evades a tag against AFC strong safety Derwin James #3 of the Los Angles Chargers and runs for a touchdown during an NFL Pro Bowl football game in Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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The NFL Pro Bowl games have evolved in recent years, transforming from an exhibition game featuring tackles into a flag football event with other contests. And now the league has an idea to set it on another new path.
The NFL announced Wednesday that the 2026 Pro Bowl games will be held during the same week as Super Bowl LX and in the same host location, the San Francisco Bay Area.
Here’s a look at everything you need to know about the current status of Pro Bowl games.
NFL Statement
“The all-star event will continue to highlight football and feature the league’s best players in the AFC vs. NFC Pennant Bowl, which will showcase the sport’s elite athletic performance and competition ahead of its debut at the LA28 Olympics. Revamped programming gives the league’s best athletes a chance to compete during the biggest week in the NFL, surrounded by their family and friends and selected fans, providing all fans with a must-see television event that helps culminate in the finale. Of the season.”
When and where will the 2026 Pro Bowl games be held?
The Pro Bowl will take place on Tuesday, February 3 on ESPN starting at 6:30 PM ET, with the pennant game beginning at 8 PM ET.
According to ESPN, the event will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, which will also host the Super Bowl Experience Fan Fest. The Moscone Center’s largest ballroom, per ESPN, seats 4,000 people.
What is the format for the 2026 Pro Bowl games?
The showdown will be between the AFC and the NFC in a seven-on-seven flag football match. The game will be played on a 50-yard field with 10-yard end zones. Scorings are worth six points with one point conversion from the five-yard line, and the option to convert two points from the 10-yard line.
How are players selected for the Pro Bowl?
Fans can start voting on Thanksgiving on November 27. Players will be selected through votes from fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts as one-third in determining the lists.
Building flag football ahead of the 2028 Olympics
The Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles in 2028. NFL teams have agreed to allow players to compete in the LA28 Games, and now the NFL is in talks with the NFL about allowing players to participate.
“The Pro Bowl Games will not only be an exciting showcase of our best talent, but will also be a taste of the elite athleticism and dynamic action we can expect to see on the Olympic stage,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President of Events.
What NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said about the 2026 Pro Bowl games
“We’ve spent a lot of time developing our Pro Bowl game, talking about how we can make our Pro Bowl game more engaging, both for our players involved but also for our fans. We’ve spent a lot of time talking about goals, and the goals really are to celebrate and honor our great players, and secondly is to use our game as a global platform.”
Ratings for Pro Bowl games have been trending downward
Moving the Pro Bowl games to the same week as the Super Bowl could be the spark the game needs to thrive again. Viewership is down 30% from 2022 to 2024, with 4.7 million viewers tuning in last year.