sports
NFL Finally Calls Time on Beleaguered Pro Bowl After Years of Format Changes
Only original 88 selections will earn Pro Bowl status
TL;DR
- The NFL is ending the Pro Bowl Games after the 2026 season.
- The traditional AFC-NFC game, flag-football, and skills competitions will no longer take place.
- Selected players will be invited to an in-person celebration at the Super Bowl site.
- Only the original 88 selections will be named Pro Bowlers; no alternates will be added.
- Voting for selections remains split between fans, players, and coaches.
- The league reworked the event through multiple iterations due to declining interest in the tackle game.
- Discussions with players influenced the change, addressing concerns about diluted honor from replacements.