NFL Drops Pro Bowl Game, Will Continue To Honor Players
Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 03:56PM By Barry Janoff
August 26, 2026: After several seasons of trying to satisfy the league, players, fans and the media, the NFL has decided to drop its Pro Bowl.
The NFL said it pans to “to elevate Pro Bowl presented by Verizon selection as one of the league’s most meaningful individual honors, recognizing exclusively the very best players from each NFL season.
Beginning with the 2026 season, 88 players will comprise the official Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class, with no replacement selections. The roster will continue to be determined through an equal-weighted voting process among players, coaches and fans.
Players will be honored the week before Super Bowl LXI this February in Los Angeles.
The Pro Bowl has been played in some form and in various locations since 1938, except for 1943-1950 and 2021 when it was impacted by COVID-19.
According to the NFL, “As part of that focus, the NFL will no longer stage an AFC vs. NFC Pro Bowl game. Instead, the league will place greater emphasis on the moment a player is selected, the recognition that accompanies that distinction and bringing the Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class together to celebrate the achievement.”
“The Pro Bowl has always been about recognizing the players who distinguish themselves as the very best in the NFL,” Peter O’Reilly, NFL evp-club business, iInternational and league events, said via the NFL.
“A Pro Bowl selection will return to its original purpose, honoring the best of the best. We want that distinction to carry even greater meaning for the players, their families, their clubs and our fans.”
The Pro Bowl presented by Verizon roster will be revealed in late December “through an enhanced announcement highlighting the 88 selected players across NFL, club, social and broadcast partner platforms and celebrating the performances that earned them the honor.”
Pro Bowl presented by Verizon selections will also carry a “lasting and visible recognition on a player’s uniform, creating an enduring symbol of the achievement that becomes part of his career legacy.”
Each Pro Bowl player will also receive a unique commemorative keepsake, including a one-of-one personalized Pro Bowl trading card created in partnership with Topps.
The NFL will bring the 2027 Pro Bowl presented by Verizon class together during the traditional Pro Bowl weekend in Los Angeles for an in-person celebration” recognizing the players, their families and the significance of earning the distinction.”
“This direction came directly from our continued conversations with players and what they value most about the Pro Bowl,” Troy Vincent, NFL evp-football operations, said via the league.
“This direction came directly from our continued conversations with players and what they value most about the Pro Bowl."
“Being selected by your peers, coaches and fans as one of the very best at your position carries tremendous meaning. We heard clearly that the distinction matters, and our focus is on making the recognition that comes with it worthy of what these players accomplished on the field.”
Additional details on the Pro Bowl celebration, roster reveal, player recognition and flag football programming will be shared during the season.
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