Business & Finance
NFL ends Pro Bowl game and transitions all-star event into an honor for 88 players
The league is permanently discontinuing its annual exhibition game while maintaining player recognition and surrounding fan events.
The short version
- The NFL announced the end of the Pro Bowl exhibition game, which has been held in various formats almost every year since 1951.
- Starting with the 2026 season, 88 players will be selected as official Pro Bowlers without replacement selections to preserve the distinction of the honor.
- Selected players will be honored in late December and through postseason events in Los Angeles, including flag football activities.
Key facts
- The NFL officially discontinued the AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl game and the Pro Bowl Games flag football competition.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- Beginning with the 2026 season, the official Pro Bowl roster will consist of 88 players selected via equal-weighted voting by players, coaches, and fans, with no replacement selections.[Fox News]
- The league plans to recognize the 88 selected players through an enhanced announcement in late December and events in Los Angeles.[Fox News · Associated Press]
- Television ratings for the Pro Bowl declined from a peak of 13.24 million viewers on ABC in 2000 down to 2 million viewers for the recent Pro Bowl Games format.[Fox News]
Sources
- NFL ends Pro Bowl after decades of declining interest, will turn all-star game into an award for 88 playersFox News
- NFL says players who return to college will be ineligible to play in 2026 as ACC, Big 12 weigh topicAssociated Press
- NFL ends the Pro Bowl game, but players will still be honored as Pro BowlersAssociated Press