NFL scraps Pro Bowl game, shifts focus to player honors for 88 all-stars
The NFL announced that the traditional AFC-vs-NFC Pro Bowl will be discontinued, turning the all-star selection into a standalone accolade for 88 players.
The National Football League confirmed that the long-running AFC-vs-NFC Pro Bowl will be retired, citing years of waning interest and low viewership. Beginning in the 2026 campaign, the league will recognize 88 players as the official Pro Bowl class, forgoing any replacement selections that have eroded the distinction. Selections will continue to be made through a balanced voting process involving players, coaches and fans.
NFL Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly said the change restores the original purpose of honoring the league's top performers and aims to give the accolade greater meaning for all stakeholders. The league plans to announce the honorees in late December via an “enhanced announcement” across its media platforms. This move ends the February televised event but may introduce a new December-focused celebration.
Why it matters
Fans and players lose a low-stakes exhibition, while the NFL seeks to preserve the prestige of its top-player award.
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