When Does the Pro Bowl Start in 2025? Full Schedule & Details

By Sarah Miller · September 1, 2040

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games will begin on Sunday, February 2, 2025, with skills competitions starting at 3:00 PM ET, followed by the flag football game at 7:00 PM ET, both airing live on ESPN, ABC, and Disney XD.

What Is the Pro Bowl and Why the Format Changed

The Pro Bowl is the NFL's annual all-star event, showcasing the league's top players as voted by fans, players, and coaches. In recent years, the traditional tackle football game has been replaced with a week-long celebration of skills challenges and a non-contact flag football game to reduce injury risk and increase entertainment value.

Key Changes in the Pro Bowl Format

Transition from full-contact game to flag football format (since 2023)
Expanded skills showdowns replacing standard practices
Team allocation based on fantasy draft rather than AFC vs. NFC
Events spread across multiple days for increased viewer engagement

2025 Pro Bowl Schedule and Broadcast Details

This year’s Pro Bowl Games will take place in Orlando, Florida, continuing the league’s shift toward a festival-style event. The main events are scheduled over one weekend, with highlights available across multiple platforms.

Full Event Schedule

Event	Date	Start Time (ET)	Location	Broadcast
Pro Bowl Skills Challenge Day 1	Saturday, February 1, 2025	8:00 PM	ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, FL	ESPN
Pro Bowl Skills Challenge Day 2	Sunday, February 2, 2025	3:00 PM	ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, FL	ESPN, ABC, Disney XD
Pro Bowl Flag Football Game	Sunday, February 2, 2025	7:00 PM	ESPN Wide World of Sports, Orlando, FL	ESPN, ABC, Disney XD

Table data source:1, 2

The table shows that the 2025 Pro Bowl Games are condensed into a two-day event with prime-time visibility across major networks. Broadcasting on ABC increases mainstream reach, while Disney XD targets younger audiences, aligning with the NFL’s broader fan engagement strategy.

How Players Are Selected for the Pro Bowl

Selection combines votes from three groups: fans (50%), players (25%), and coaches (25%). Final rosters are announced in late January, with alternates added due to Super Bowl participant conflicts.

Pro Bowl Selection Criteria

Fan voting conducted via NFL.com and mobile app
Emphasis on performance, sportsmanship, and community impact
Each position group must be represented fairly
Injured players may participate in skills events only

Notable Participants and Team Captains

Team captains are typically high-profile quarterbacks selected through fan votes. In 2025, expected captains include Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Josh Allen (Bills), who will draft their teams in a fantasy-style format.

Past MVPs like Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce have dominated skills events, showcasing agility and precision in non-traditional challenges such as:

Best Catch
Elite Dodgeball
MLB Home Run Derby-style passing accuracy challenge

Frequently Asked Questions About the Pro Bowl

When does the Pro Bowl start in 2025?

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games begin on Saturday, February 1, with skills events at 8:00 PM ET, followed by the main flag football game on Sunday, February 2, at 7:00 PM ET.

Is the Pro Bowl still a tackle football game?

No, since 2023, the NFL has replaced the traditional tackle game with a flag football format to enhance player safety and entertainment value.

Where is the 2025 Pro Bowl held?

The 2025 Pro Bowl Games are hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.

How can I watch the Pro Bowl?

You can watch the Pro Bowl live on ESPN, ABC, and Disney XD. Streaming is available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app with authentication.

Do Pro Bowl players get paid?

Yes, NFL players receive bonuses for Pro Bowl selection—$65,000 per player in 2024. Even those participating only in skills events earn a portion of this amount.

Why was the Pro Bowl moved to Orlando?

Orlando offers centralized facilities, favorable weather, and family-friendly attractions, making it ideal for hosting multi-day fan events and youth football programs tied to the Pro Bowl week.