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10h ago

NFL Condenses Pro Bowl to One Night in San Francisco as Cancellation Talk Grows

A TV-first, single-evening format will test whether fading ratings with thin participation still justify the showcase.

Kyren Williams #23 of the Los Angeles Rams runs with the ball during an NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 25, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The 2026 Pro Bowl Games air Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN from San Francisco’s Moscone Center inside the Super Bowl Experience, a non-stadium, made-for-TV setup.
  • The midweek shift eliminates the usual pre–Super Bowl Sunday programming, with the league framing the change as more player-friendly and geared to television.
  • Viewership has declined each year since 2022, sliding from about 6.7 million to 6.2 million to 5.75 million to 4.7 million, according to Front Office Sports.
  • Analysts including Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio say continued ratings and revenue erosion could prompt the NFL to scrap the Pro Bowl Games.
  • Participation questions persist, with replacement picks drawing criticism (Joe Flacco was added) and opt-outs including Drake Maye and Josh Allen.