If you grew up watching football in the 90s or early 2000s, you probably have a specific image in your head when someone asks: where is the Pro Bowl played? You see the bright blue skies, the red and blue jerseys clashing against a backdrop of palm trees, and the aging but iconic metal stands of Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. It was a tradition. A post-season vacation for the NFL's elite. But things have changed—massively.
Honestly, the "where" of the Pro Bowl is a moving target these days. The NFL realized a long time ago that playing a half-speed tackle football game in Hawaii a week after the Super Bowl (or later, a week before) wasn't exactly pulling in the ratings it used to. So, they started moving it around. They changed the format. They even changed the name to the Pro Bowl Games.
Nowadays, if you're looking for the game, you're likely looking at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. That has become the new unofficial home of the event, though Las Vegas has made a strong play for it recently. It’s not just a game anymore; it’s a multi-day skills competition that looks more like a high-stakes backyard barbecue than a traditional Sunday kickoff.
The Long-Standing Love Affair with Hawaii
For thirty years, from 1980 to 2009, the answer to where is the Pro Bowl played was always Honolulu. Period. It was the reward. Players loved it because they could bring their families to the islands on the NFL's dime. Fans loved it because it felt like a tropical celebration of the season.
Aloha Stadium was the epicenter. It wasn't a perfect stadium—it had rust issues and the "moving" stands were eventually bolted into place because of structural concerns—but it had soul. The atmosphere was laid back. You’d see legends like Jerry Rice or Reggie White chilling on the sidelines with sunglasses on.
But the NFL is a business. A cold, calculating one. They noticed that by having the game in Hawaii, it was largely disconnected from the Super Bowl hype. In 2010, they made a radical move. They played the game at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, the week before the Super Bowl. It was an experiment. They wanted to see if they could capture the excitement of the championship week. It worked for ratings, but it felt... off. They went back to Hawaii for a few years, but the writing was on the wall. The island era was ending.
Why Orlando Became the New Hub
If you’re wondering where is the Pro Bowl played right now, Orlando is the most frequent answer. Since 2017, the NFL has largely parked the event at Camping World Stadium. Why? Logistics and family.
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Orlando is the theme park capital of the world. If you're an NFL star with three kids, a trip to Disney World is a pretty solid incentive to show up and play some flag football. The stadium itself isn't the newest in the league, but it’s large, accessible, and the city knows how to handle a massive influx of tourists.
In 2024 and 2025, Orlando hosted the reimagined "Pro Bowl Games." This wasn't just a stadium event. They utilized the UCF (University of Central Florida) facilities for skills challenges. They had players dodging balls, catching passes dropped from drones, and competing in "gridiron gauntlets." It’s a sprawl. The "where" isn't just a single coordinate on a map anymore; it's a city-wide takeover.
The Las Vegas Interruption
Vegas changes everything. When the Raiders moved to the desert and Allegiant Stadium—the "Death Star"—opened, the NFL had to take the Pro Bowl there. It was inevitable.
In 2022 and 2023, the Pro Bowl moved to Las Vegas. It made sense. Vegas is arguably the only city that can out-party Honolulu. The energy was different. It felt more like an awards show. However, even with the glitz of the Strip, the NFL eventually pivoted back to Orlando for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Vegas is great for a Super Bowl, but Orlando seems to fit the "fun and family" vibe the NFL wants for this specific week.
A Quick Look at Recent Locations
- 2025: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.
- 2024: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.
- 2023: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
- 2022: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV.
- 2021: Cancelled (Virtual event due to COVID-19).
- 2017–2020: Camping World Stadium, Orlando, FL.
It's Not Really a "Game" Anymore
We have to talk about the format change because it affects the venue. When people ask where is the Pro Bowl played, they often expect to see a 60-minute tackle football game. That doesn't exist anymore.
Peyton Manning and his production company, Omaha Productions, helped the NFL transition to the "Pro Bowl Games." Now, it's a series of skills competitions followed by a multi-part flag football game. Because they don't need a regulation-sized, pristine NFL grass field for a full-contact game, they can be more flexible with the venue. They use different parts of the stadium and even external practice fields.
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This change was born out of necessity. Players didn't want to get hurt. Honestly, can you blame them? Imagine being an edge rusher about to sign a $100 million contract and blowing out your ACL in an exhibition game in late January. No thanks. The flag football format allows them to show off their athleticism without the risk. It also means the venue needs to be more of a "festival" space than a "coliseum."
The Logic Behind the Location Choice
The NFL doesn't just throw a dart at a map. There are three major factors that decide where is the Pro Bowl played:
- Weather: It has to be warm. No one is going to the Pro Bowl in Green Bay in February. This limits the options to Florida, Arizona, Nevada, California, or back to Hawaii.
- Affinity for Youth Football: The NFL uses this week to push their "NFL FLAG" initiative. Orlando is a massive hub for youth sports. By hosting it there, they tap into a huge market of young fans and players who are already in town for tournaments.
- Broadcast Windows: Having the game in a time zone that works for both coasts is key. Hawaii was always tough because of the massive time difference. East coast locations like Orlando allow for prime-time viewing across the country.
What Happened to Aloha Stadium?
A lot of fans are still salty about the move away from Hawaii. I get it. It felt special. But if you look at the state of Aloha Stadium today, it’s heartbreaking. The stadium was officially deemed unsafe for crowds in late 2020. It’s been sitting in a state of "pending demolition" for years.
There are plans for a "New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District," but government delays and funding issues have pushed the timeline back repeatedly. Until a new, modern facility is built in Honolulu, the Pro Bowl is never going back. The NFL requires a certain level of luxury suites and infrastructure that the old stadium just couldn't provide anymore.
Misconceptions About the Location
One thing people get wrong is thinking the Pro Bowl is always in the same city as the Super Bowl. It rarely is. While they did that once in Miami and once in Arizona (2015), the league usually prefers to spread the wealth. They want two different cities to benefit from the NFL's presence in those final two weeks of the season.
Another misconception? That the players hate Orlando. Sure, it’s not Maui. But for the modern NFL player, who is often a brand unto himself, being in a central hub like Orlando or Vegas is great for business. They can do media appearances, meet with sponsors, and stay connected much easier than they could in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
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How to Attend the Pro Bowl Games
If you’re planning a trip to see where the Pro Bowl is played next, you need to think differently than you would for a regular-season game.
First, tickets are usually much cheaper than a standard NFL game. You can often get in the building for under $100. Second, you want to look for "all-access" passes. Because the event is now a series of skills challenges, some of the best action happens on the smaller side fields or during the Thursday night skills show, which isn't even at the main stadium sometimes.
Check the NFL's official site early in November. That’s usually when they announce the specific venue locations within the host city. If it's Orlando, you'll want to stay near International Drive or the Universal area to be close to the action.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to catch the next Pro Bowl, don't just show up on Sunday. The "game" is the grand finale, but the real fun is the days leading up to it.
- Follow the Skills Schedule: The dodgeball tournament and the "Best Catch" competitions are often more entertaining than the flag football game itself. These usually happen a few days before the main event.
- Check for Open Practices: Sometimes the NFL opens up the AFC and NFC practices to the public. This is the best way to get autographs.
- Dress for Variable Weather: Even in Florida or Vegas, February nights can get chilly once the sun goes down.
- Book Flights Early: Because the Pro Bowl often coincides with other youth sports conventions or tourist peaks in Orlando, hotel prices can spike unexpectedly.
The Pro Bowl has evolved. It’s gone from a sleepy game in the Pacific to a loud, neon-colored festival in the desert or the swamps of Florida. Whether you love the new format or miss the old tackle games, the "where" is now firmly rooted in mainland entertainment hubs. Orlando is the king for now, but in the NFL, nothing stays in one place forever. Keep your eyes on the 2026 announcements, as the league is always looking for the next big stadium to showcase its stars.