The NFL announced a major change to the Pro Bowl on Wednesday, bringing an end to the league’s annual all star game while keeping the Pro Bowl designation for the players who earn it. Beginning with the 2026 season, the league will no longer stage an AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl game or the Pro Bowl Games format that had replaced the traditional contest.
Instead, the NFL plans to make being selected to the Pro Bowl a more meaningful individual honor. A total of 88 players will be selected each season, with no replacement selections. The players will continue to be chosen through an equal weighted voting process involving fans, players and coaches.
The league’s decision comes after several years of changes to the Pro Bowl failed to generate the level of interest the NFL wanted. The traditional tackle football game was replaced by flag football in 2023, along with a variety of skills competitions. Despite those changes, the event continued to face questions about player participation, competitiveness and overall importance.
NFL officials said the new approach is designed to put the focus back on what the Pro Bowl is supposed to represent: recognizing the best players in the league. Rather than asking selected players to participate in an exhibition game, the NFL will emphasize the achievement itself and create a larger celebration around the players who receive the honor.
The Pro Bowl class will be announced in late December through an expanded presentation across NFL platforms, team channels, social media and broadcast partners. The league also plans to provide players with lasting recognition, including a Pro Bowl designation on their uniforms and a personalized commemorative trading card.
The change marks the end of one of the NFL’s longest running traditions. While fans will no longer get to watch the league’s stars compete in a Pro Bowl game, the Pro Bowl name will remain part of a player’s resume. The NFL is betting that making the honor more exclusive and focused on regular-season performance will restore some of the prestige the event has lost over the years.
