NFL Pro Bowl 2026: New Day, New Look, Same Star Power
For the first time in decades, there won’t be a football game on the Sunday before the Super Bowl. That’s right-no Pro Bowl this Sunday.
But don’t worry, the NFL isn’t skipping its annual all-star showcase. It’s just shaking things up.
A Tuesday Night Spotlight
In 2026, the Pro Bowl is moving off its traditional Sunday slot and sliding into prime time on Tuesday, February 3, at 7 p.m. CT.
That’s a big shift for a game that’s long served as a placeholder between the conference championships and the Super Bowl. But this year, the Pro Bowl becomes a full-fledged part of Super Bowl week, bringing even more energy to the Bay Area as the NFL builds toward its biggest night.
Flag Football and Flashy Skills
This isn’t your old-school Pro Bowl. The NFL’s all-star event is now in its fourth year as a non-contact flag football game, part of a broader effort to keep the event fun, fast-paced, and engaging for players and fans alike. And while it might not look like traditional tackle football, don’t let that fool you-there’s still plenty of competition on display.
Alongside the flag football game, the Pro Bowl Games feature a series of skills competitions, where players show off everything from precision passing to lightning-fast footwork. It’s a celebration of the game’s best talents in a format that’s more about flair than full-contact hits.
A New Home in San Francisco
This year’s Pro Bowl takes place inside the Moscone Center in San Francisco, right at the heart of the Super Bowl Experience. It’s all part of the NFL’s push to make Super Bowl week a full-on football festival, and having the Pro Bowl in the same city as the championship game helps tie it all together.
Just down the road, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara will host the Super Bowl on Sunday, February 8, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on NBC and stream live on Peacock.
AFC vs. NFC: Legends on the Sidelines
The Pro Bowl rosters, as always, were selected by a combination of fan votes, player input, and coach selections. And with many original picks unavailable due to injuries or Super Bowl participation, plenty of alternates have stepped in to round out the squads.
Coaching the AFC is none other than Jerry Rice, while the NFC will be led by fellow 49ers legend Steve Young. Two Hall of Famers, two iconic careers, and now, two sideline generals trying to guide their teams to a Pro Bowl win-even if it’s in flag football form.
Super Bowl Matchup Set: Seahawks vs. Patriots
The main event is still to come. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are set to square off in Super Bowl LX. Seattle, the NFC’s top seed, powered through a gauntlet of divisional rivals-taking down the 49ers and Rams-to earn their fourth Super Bowl appearance.
On the other side, the Patriots are back in familiar territory. As the AFC’s No. 2 seed, New England battled past the Chargers, Texans, and Broncos to reach their 12th Super Bowl, continuing a legacy of postseason dominance.
NFL Honors: A Night to Celebrate the Game’s Best
Before the Lombardi Trophy is handed out, the league will take a moment to honor the best of the best. The NFL Honors ceremony is set for Thursday, February 5, at 8 p.m.
CT, held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The event will air on NBC and feature the announcement of the league’s top individual awards-MVP, Coach of the Year, Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.
The new Pro Football Hall of Fame class will also be introduced, adding another layer of legacy to an already star-studded week.
No Football This Sunday? It’s a First
With the Pro Bowl shifting to Tuesday, this Sunday, February 1, marks the first time since late August that there won’t be any NFL football on television. It’s a rare pause in what’s been a non-stop season-but with a jam-packed week ahead, fans won’t have to wait long to get their football fix again.
So while the schedule looks a little different this year, the excitement is still there-and then some. From flag football to franchise legacies, San Francisco is the center of the football universe this week.