UNITED STATES — The NFL is officially ending the AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl game, marking another major change for the league’s annual celebration of its top players. The Pro Bowl name and player selections, however, are staying.
Beginning with the 2027 Pro Bowl, players will continue to earn Pro Bowl honors based on voting by fans, players and coaches. The league plans to put more emphasis on the recognition itself instead of having the selected stars compete against each other in an exhibition game.
The NFL had already moved away from traditional tackle football in recent years. In 2023, the league replaced the full-contact Pro Bowl with a series of skills competitions and flag football games in an effort to make the event more entertaining while reducing injury concerns.
Under the latest format, 88 players are expected to be selected to the Pro Bowl roster, with the league planning an expanded announcement highlighting their accomplishments. Selected players will also receive permanent recognition on their uniforms and a personalized commemorative trading card.
The 2027 Pro Bowl class will still gather during the traditional Pro Bowl weekend in Los Angeles, where players and their families will be honored in person. More details surrounding the celebration are expected at a later date.
Flag football will remain an important part of the weekend, but it will no longer serve as an AFC-versus-NFC Pro Bowl matchup. Instead, the NFL plans to feature separate flag football programming as the sport prepares for its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
More than 200 NFL players representing over 25 countries have expressed interest in potentially competing in Olympic flag football, according to the league. Player acclimation camps for athletes interested in representing the United States are expected to begin in early 2027.
While fans will no longer see a traditional Pro Bowl showdown, earning the honor will remain part of a player’s career résumé. The NFL says its new approach is designed to make being named a Pro Bowler the centerpiece of the event rather than the exhibition game itself.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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