If you’re still expecting a traditional tackle football game where superstars half-heartedly bump into each other for four quarters, you’re in for a surprise. The NFL basically blew up the old format a couple of years ago. Now, it’s a multi-day circus of skills challenges and flag football. But the big question everyone is asking right now is: when is the Pro Bowl 2025?
Honestly, the schedule is a bit more spread out than it used to be. It isn't just a Sunday afternoon affair anymore. It’s a two-part event designed to keep people from changing the channel to literally anything else.
The Dates You Actually Need to Know
The 2025 Pro Bowl Games are split across two primary days. The action kicks off on Thursday, January 30, 2025, with the Skills Showdown. This is where you see the stuff that actually goes viral—guys trying to hit targets from 50 yards away or playing high-stakes dodgeball.
Then, the main event happens on Sunday, February 2, 2025. This is the day of the actual AFC vs. NFC flag football game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
It’s a smart move by the league. By putting the skills stuff on Thursday night, they grab the mid-week TV audience. Then they use Sunday to build the hype for the Super Bowl, which is just seven days later.
Where to Watch the 2025 Pro Bowl Games
You’ve got plenty of options, but it depends on which day you’re tuning in.
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For the Thursday Skills Showdown (Jan 30):
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+ or NFL+
For the Sunday Championship (Feb 2):
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Channels: ABC, ESPN, and Disney XD
- Streaming: ESPN+, NFL+, and Fubo
The Disney XD broadcast is usually kinda fun if you have kids. They do all these "slime" effects and cartoon overlays that make the flag football game look like a video game. If you're a purist, just stick to the ABC/ESPN feed. Scott Van Pelt is handling the play-by-play this year, with Jason Kelce joining the crew for color commentary. That alone makes it worth a watch.
Why Orlando?
Orlando has basically become the permanent home for this thing. It’s the sixth time the city has hosted. Camping World Stadium isn't the fanciest venue in the world, but it works for this format.
One thing to keep in mind: if you’re actually planning on going, there’s a weird rule this year. No tailgating. The NFL and stadium officials have banned it in the parking lots for the 2025 Games. Sorta takes the "football" out of the football atmosphere, but with it being a flag game and a family-focused event, they’re leaning more into the theme park vibes of the city.
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Who Actually Made the Cut?
The rosters for the 2025 Pro Bowl were finalized after a mix of fan, player, and coach voting. It’s always a bit of a popularity contest, but the 2024-2025 season had some undeniable standouts.
The NFC is led by Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who ended up taking home the Offensive MVP for the event. On the AFC side, you’ve got heavy hitters like Joe Burrow and Russell Wilson (who stepped in as an alternate).
Notable 2025 Selections:
- Brock Bowers (Raiders): The rookie tight end made a massive splash this year.
- Saquon Barkley (Eagles): No surprises here; he’s been a human highlight reel.
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders): Another rookie who proved the hype was real, though he was eventually replaced by Sam Darnold in the actual lineup.
- Pat Surtain II (Broncos): Basically the gold standard for cornerbacks right now.
The AFC coach this year? Peyton Manning. The NFC coach? Eli Manning. The brotherly rivalry is the only reason the flag football game has any real intensity. They genuinely hate losing to each other.
What Happens During the Skills Showdown?
The NFL keeps adding new events to see what sticks. This year, the Thursday block included "Passing the Test," which is a mix of accuracy and football trivia. They also brought back "Dodgeball," which—let’s be real—is the only reason half the people watch.
On Sunday, before the flag football game, they run "Tug of War" and "The Great Football Race." It’s basically field day for millionaires. It's goofy, sure, but seeing a 300-pound lineman try to outrun a wide receiver in a relay race is objectively entertaining.
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The Format Shift: Flag vs. Tackle
Some fans still hate the move to flag football. I get it. We grew up on the "hard-hitting" Pro Bowls of the 90s. But the players stopped trying years ago. They didn't want to get hurt in an exhibition game.
The flag football format, which is 7-on-7 on a 50-yard field, actually allows them to show off their athleticism without the fear of a season-ending ACL tear. The 2025 game features 10-yard end zones and traditional 6-point touchdowns, but the conversions are different: 1 point from the 5-yard line or 2 points from the 10-yard line.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you're trying to make the most of the Pro Bowl weekend, here is how you should handle it:
- Download the NFL OnePass App: If you’re in Orlando, this is mandatory. It’s how you get into the fan activations and see the players up close.
- Watch the Thursday Replay: If you miss the live Skills Showdown on Jan 30, ABC usually airs a condensed version on Sunday right before the flag football game starts.
- Check the "Alternates": By the time the game actually starts, about 20% of the original roster will have dropped out due to injuries or because they’re playing in the Super Bowl. Keep an eye on the late additions—sometimes the alternates play harder because they're just happy to be there.
- Ignore the Score: Seriously. The AFC and NFC points carry over from the skills challenges into the Sunday game. The score will look weird (like 63-76). Just roll with it.
The Pro Bowl isn't the Super Bowl, and it's not trying to be. It’s a celebration of the season's best players in a low-stakes environment. Now that you know exactly when is the pro bowl 2025, you can set your DVR and decide if you're Team Peyton or Team Eli.