By Lydia Jane Allison
All-Star Event Will Feature 88 of League’s Top Players at Camping World Stadium, Which Has Hosted Five Pro Bowls Previously
NEW YORK — The NFL announced Orlando, Fl., will host the 2025 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon.
The multi-day AFC vs NFC event will feature 88 of the NFL’s top players as they show off their on-field and off-field skills in unique competitions and compete in action-packed flag football at Camping World Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Players will have the opportunity to celebrate the season’s accomplishments in a fun, memorable way, surrounded by their families and fans. ESPN and ABC will return to broadcast the event.
“The Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon celebrates the biggest stars in the NFL in a format that’s fun, competitive and accessible to fans – with flag football at its core. The players helped create this new format two years ago, and each year we add new elements and surprises. We’re thrilled to bring this multi-day, all-star event back to Orlando, which has established itself as a beloved destination for our players, their families and NFL fans from around the country and the world,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president of events, international and club business. “Orlando has a history of hosting many successful Pro Bowls, and we look forward to partnering with the city, the county and Florida Citrus Sports once again to raise the bar on our all-star celebration for our players, their families and our fans.”
Orlando has hosted five Pro Bowls in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2024. This year’s event will feature events across Central Florida, including fan experiences that will celebrate the football season and bring fans close to their favorite clubs and players.
“We’re proud to have the Pro Bowl Games back at Camping World Stadium in 2025,” said Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan. “Hosting this incredible showcase event for the sixth time in nine seasons is a remarkable achievement for Orlando and reinforces our standing as the top destination for sports and entertainment events. We’re grateful for the partnership with the National Football League and for the support of our leaders at City and Orange County.”
“We’re welcoming a world-class event with the NFL’s greatest athletes and their families to our vibrant community, showcasing our commitment to excellence and our ability to host some of our nation’s biggest sporting events and unforgettable experiences,” said The Honorable Mayor Demings, Orange County.
“We’re thrilled that the NFL Pro Bowl Games are returning to Orlando. As the nation’s top sports destination, our community is looking forward to again welcoming the NFL’s best players, their families and fans from around the nation,” added The Honorable Buddy Dyer, City of Orlando.
Last year, more than 55,000 fans attended the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, and 6 million viewers tuned in across Disney, ESPN, ABC, Disney XD and digital. The skills challenges on Thursday averaged 1.2 million viewers on ESPN in primetime, up 9% for the program the year before, and the event was the most viewed Pro Bowl ever on social, with social video views up 12% from last year.
Helping to drive the success of the 2024 Pro Bowl Games was the star-powered coaching lineup, which featured Peyton and Eli Manning as head coaches, Ray Lewis and DeMarcus Ware as defensive coordinators, and Wes Welker and Keenan McCardell as offensive coordinators for the AFC and NFC respectively. The NFC ultimately prevailed over the AFC, solidifying back-to-back victories since the NFL reimagined the format of the all-star game.
As a result of feedback from players, teams and fans, the NFL reimagined the Pro Bowl as The Pro Bowl Games in 2023, introducing an entirely new format that featured a mix of live and taped skills competitions and spotlighted flag football as a critical part of the sport’s future.
Flag football continues to be a strategic priority for the league. In partnership with RCX Sports, the NFL’s flag football operating partner, the league will integrate the football format throughout the Pro Bowl Games as a celebration of all levels – from youth to the NFL’s best.
In addition to the AFC vs NFC flag games played by the Pro Bowl players, the inaugural NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota, organized with RCX Sports, recently took place from July 18-21 at the Hall of Fame Village in Canton. As the world’s premiere youth flag football tournament, the event featured almost 2,500 players. Over 240 teams of girls and boys from across the country represented all 32 NFL clubs, and for the first time, an international division made up of 14U athletes from around the world also competed, with six teams from Australia, Canada, China, Germany, Great Britain and Mexico. As the broadcast partner of the NFL FLAG Championships, ESPN announced the event reached 5 million fans over the weekend.
“Recently, we saw immense success at our inaugural NFL Flag Championships, where top players from the US and around the world competed,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL vice president and head of flag football. “Looking ahead to Orlando, we’re thrilled to celebrate flag at the elite level, as the league’s best athletes enjoy this fast-paced, exciting game.”
Flag football is one of the world’s fastest-growing sports disciplines, played by over 20 million in more than 100 countries, across every continent. It is the most inclusive and accessible format of football, played by people of all ages and genders, with women and girls driving some of the fastest growth.
Further into the season, the NFL will provide the schedule and additional details surrounding the 2025 Pro Bowl Games presented by Verizon.
Fans interested in receiving the latest information can register at NFL.com/ProBowlGames for exclusive ticket presale and VIP package opportunities. Season Ticket Members for all 32 teams will automatically be included in the presale, and all previous Pro Bowl Games ticket buyers will receive priority access to purchase tickets. Group deposits for groups of 10 or more people are currently being accepted. Fans interested in securing Pro Bowl Games tickets for a group can click here.
The official hospitality partner of the NFL, On Location, will offer guests premium seating options and elevated hospitality at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. Fans looking to be the first to know when ticket and hospitality packages go on sale should sign up via On Location’s website at OnLocationexp.com/ProBowl.
COURTESY NFL COMMUNICATIONS