The NFL’s Pro Bowl will take place on Tuesday night at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, just days before Super Bowl LX. This shift to a convention center marks a change in the event’s format and presentation, reflecting the league’s efforts to rejuvenate this all-star exhibition.
Set for 8 p.m. ET, the Pro Bowl will be broadcasted on ESPN, allowing fans a chance to witness a unique variant of the game. This year, the Pro Bowl has adopted a flag football format on a 50-yard playing field, where touchdowns are worth 6 points, and teams can earn additional points through conversions.
This year’s Pro Bowl participants include notable players like Shedeur Sanders and Joe Burrow. Fans voted for the initial rosters, but several stars, including Buffalo’s Josh Allen and Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert, will be absent due to injury. Sanders steps in for Drake Maye, who is preoccupied with leading the New England Patriots in the upcoming Super Bowl against the Seattle Seahawks. Furthermore, Joe Flacco will serve as another replacement quarterback.
The coaching responsibilities are in the hands of two legendary 49ers—Steve Young for the AFC and Jerry Rice for the NFC. The Pro Bowl’s transformation to include flag football and skills competitions stems from feedback aimed at reducing injury risks while reinvigorating a previously stagnant format.
This revision also aligns with the NFL’s broader strategy to promote flag football globally, especially with its upcoming introduction in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly emphasized the commitment to this format, suggesting a significant focus on flag football in the future.
Though the switch to the Moscone Center may reduce capacity compared to previous Pro Bowl venues, it has been deemed a necessary move to integrate the Pro Bowl into Super Bowl festivities. Expectations are that this flag football format will continue through future Super Bowl weeks, with Los Angeles hosting not just the Super Bowl in 2027 but also the Olympics the following year.
However, concerns linger over player participation, as many stars may opt out to focus on training. For instance, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields chose to decline an invitation this year. Despite the financial incentives for winning players—$96,000 for the champions and $48,000 for the runners-up—some stars might find that these amounts do not adequately compensate for the risks involved.
Despite potential challenges ahead, the NFL appears committed to the Pro Bowl’s evolution, which not only aims to adapt to current player sentiments but also to innovate the way fans engage with the sport.