The Pro Bowl has long been an afterthought among NFL fans. Even in its heyday, it was played a week after the Super Bowl, when most fans had checked out. Since 2009, the event has been moved to take place before the big game in an attempt to generate more excitement, but this has led to relocation and constant format changes.
NFL Moves Pro Bowl Games to Super Bowl Week
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that the Pro Bowl Games, which is part flag football and part skills competition and has been the format since 2022, will now be played on Tuesday night before the Super Bowl.
This shifts the event from what has usually been played on the Sunday before.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces that the Pro Bowl Games is moving to Super Bowl week.
From the release: Coverage of the Pro Bowl Games will begin on ESPN starting at 6:30 p.m. ET with the flag game at 8:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Feb. 3.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2025
Since the league moved the event in 2009 to be played before their penultimate matchup between the leagues two best teams, there have been six different formats. Not exactly a glowing endorsement of how the fans or sponsors have felt about it.
With media day typically held on Monday of Super Bowl week and the NFL Awards taking place on Thursday, it will be fascinating to see how the Pro Bowl is covered, even with it now being played in the same host city.
Will the Pro Bowl Become Relevant Again?
The Pro Bowl’s biggest problem, aside from the constant format changes, has always been participation. NFL fans play a significant role in the voting process for determining who gets to participate in the event.
Obviously, those players participating in the Super Bowl have an excuse, but most of the league’s biggest stars decide to sit out for a myriad of factors. Back in 2022, Tyler Huntley, yes, that Tyler Huntley, was an injury replacement.
With most of the league’s brightest stars usually in attendance all over radio row during Super Bowl week and more than likely sticking around for the NFL Awards, this move to place the Pro Bowl right in the middle may just give the fans a chance to see more of the game’s best, like they hoped.
Because let’s face it; the NFL’s all about stars, and the Pro Bowl’s only as bright as who actually shows up.
