Besting even the Super Bowl in terms of sheer star power, the NFL Pro Bowl brings together football’s greatest athletes for a fun exhibition that almost always turns into a high-scoring shootout. Although the game is technically an exhibition, these are athletes who will compete hard to ensure that they wrap up their seasons on a high note.
Played between the conference title games and the Super Bowl, the Pro Bowl has changed formats over the last handful of years, but the star power remains the main draw. Thanks to a long tradition of exciting football – not to mention warm locations like Honolulu and Orlando – NFL Pro Bowl tickets remain some of the most sought-after in the sport.
Originally a battle between the AFC and NFC, the Pro Bowl shifted its format in 2014 when Jerry Rice and Deion Sanders took over as the game's first captains, adding a unique twist that traces its roots back to the 1930s. Following the 2015 season, Russell Wilson and Michael Bennett earned MVP honors while helping to lead Team Irvin to victory in another riveting matchup at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, the traditional home of the event. Now with the game bouncing back and forth between Hawaii and top venues in the continental U.S., there are even more opportunities for a fan to pick up NFL Pro Bowl tickets to see one of the most star-studded games of the year.
The earliest form of the Pro Bowl happened all the way back in 1939, although at the time it was called the NFL All-Star Game and featured a collection of stars against the New York Giants. Since then, the game has evolved and hit its stride in the 1980s and 1990s as the NFL increased dramatically in popularity. Famous players to win the MVP include icons like Jim Brown, Bruce Smith and Marshall Faulk, which points to a long history of the Pro Bowl featuring the greatest players in football history. In the modern era, the Pro Bowl remains a crucial part of the season that offers all sorts of fan-friendly opportunities leading up to the opening kickoff, cementing its status as a highlight of the NFL season.
Other events that showcase star athletes competing at the highest level include the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game.