NFL ends the Pro Bowl game; players still honored as Pro Bowlers

The National Football League has officially discontinued its traditional Pro Bowl exhibition game, opting instead to solely honor players with Pro Bowler status. This decision, announced Wednesday, August 26, 2026, marks the end of an event that had been held in various formats since 1951, excluding 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league aims to elevate the distinction of being a Pro Bowler, focusing on the recognition rather than a competitive matchup.

Under the new approach, 88 players will still be selected each season through an equally weighted voting process involving fans, players, and coaches. These chosen athletes will be invited to Los Angeles for an in-person celebration during Super Bowl week, without the inclusion of a tackle football game, flag football match, or accompanying skills competitions. The NFL emphasized that this change will eliminate alternate selections, reinforcing the significance of being one of the initial 88 honorees.

This shift comes after years of declining interest in the Pro Bowl game, which had undergone several format changes, including a switch to flag football in 2023. NFL executives noted that player feedback indicated a preference for recognition over competitive play after the demanding regular season. The league's executive vice president, Peter O'Reilly, stated that the move returns the Pro Bowl selection to its original purpose of acknowledging the league's very best performers.