By Yasmene Warren
If you haven't already heard, the 2024 Pro Bowl Games are back and better than ever, and they’re making their return to Orlando come 2024!
What’s Happening?
The NFL announced on July 25 that the NFL Pro Bowl will be played here in Orlando at Camping World Stadium on February 4th.
The Pro Bowl was held in Central Florida for four straight seasons - 2016 to 2019. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the 2020 season was cancelled and the following 2021 season was moved to the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
This event will occur for a week and feature AFC versus NFC stars in a competitive flag-football game, where players will be able to showcase their passing and receiving skills without the need for protective gear. Returning this year to coach the two teams will be Peyton and Eli Manning.
History of the Pro Bowl Games
What initially began as the National Football League All-Star Game (1939-1942) has since become a great way for players in each conference to engage in fun competition. The first official NFL Pro Bowl game was played in January of 1951, which was the year the official name of the event was changed to the "Pro Bowl".
The Pro Bowl Games are typically played around the end of the NFL season, and since 2010, it has been played the weekend before the Super Bowl and features some of the most prominent players from the AFC and NFC.
The first 21 games of the Pro Bowl were played in Los Angeles, from 1951 to 1972, with the site of the game changing annually every seven years until moving to the Aloha Stadium in Hawaii for 30 seasons from 1980 to 2009. After this, the game site moved around year to year until it arrived in Orlando in 2016 for four seasons.
The games saw a bit of a change after the 2021 Pro Bowl game was cancelled due the COVID-19 pandemic, with lower attendance the following year because of this. However, just last year the inaugural Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas brought in 6.4 million viewers, as well as more than 58,000 fans in person at Allegiant Stadium — a 16% increase from the previous year.
The Pro Bowl games have definitely undergone a lot of changes throughout its existence and now, it’s in partnership with Peyton Manning’s production company, Omaha Productions.
Pro Bowl in Orlando
June 1, 2016, marked the start of a multi-year deal to move the Pro Bowl games to Orlando in order to increase the game’s relevance.
Due to the success of the games last year, NFL Executive Vice President Peter O’Reilly said they are thrilled to mark the 2024 Pro Bowl Games’ return to Orlando.
“Hosting multiple Pro Bowls in years past, Orlando is a world-class destination and a favorite getaway for our players and their families, and we look forward to working with the city of Orlando and Florida Citrus Sports to create the ultimate all-star celebration for players, their families and our fans.”
Peter O’Reilly - ESPN article
Header Image by NFL.com
Overall
Orlando locals and football fans alike better get ready to suit up and get their cheer on, because the upcoming Pro Bowl Games are sure to excite. Although the games are about 6 months away, the regular football season is about to begin and we can't wait!
If you're a college sports fan, the first game of Orlando's hometown team, UCF, is next week - August 31. This is UCF's first season in the BIG 12, so get your tickets before they sell out!
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