NFL Pro Bowl 2026 Brings Flag Football Showdown To San Francisco

The NFL’s annual Pro Bowl Games are back, but with a twist that’s turning heads across the football world. For the 2026 edition, the league’s top stars from the AFC and NFC are trading in their pads for flags and their helmets for a healthy dose of fun and competition at San Francisco’s Moscone Center. And for the first time in recent memory, the Pro Bowl is set for a Tuesday night, February 3, rather than the traditional Sunday slot—making it a centerpiece of Super Bowl week festivities in the Bay Area.

This year’s Pro Bowl marks the fourth consecutive flag football format, a change that began in 2023 to prioritize player safety and inject fresh excitement into the NFL’s version of an all-star showdown. Gone are the hard hits and bone-crunching tackles; in their place, fans get a fast-paced, 7-on-7 flag football contest paired with a series of skill challenges designed to showcase the league’s most dynamic playmakers.

Set to kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Central), the game will be broadcast live on ESPN, ABC, and Disney XD, with streaming available via the ESPN app and Fubo, which is currently offering a free trial for those eager to catch the action online. For those keeping score at home, that’s a primetime slot on a weeknight—an experiment that’s already generating plenty of buzz among fans and players alike.

San Francisco’s Moscone Center, typically known for hosting conventions and tech expos, will transform into a football playground as the NFL’s best gather under one roof. The Pro Bowl’s relocation from a standalone city event to a Super Bowl week highlight is part of the league’s broader push to keep fans engaged between the conference championship thrillers and the main event at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, where the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots will battle for Super Bowl 60 glory on Sunday, February 8.

“It’s a chance for the players to have fun, show off their skills, and connect with the fans in a unique way,” said Steve Young, Hall of Fame quarterback and this year’s AFC head coach. Young, a Bay Area legend, will be joined on the sidelines by fellow Hall of Famer and 49ers icon Jerry Rice, who will helm the NFC squad. The pairing of Rice and Young—two of the game’s all-time greats—adds a nostalgic twist to an already star-studded week.

Rosters for the 2026 Pro Bowl were selected through a combination of fan, player, and coach voting, with alternates stepping in for stars sidelined by injury or those preparing for the Super Bowl. For the AFC, quarterbacks Justin Herbert (Chargers), Joe Flacco (Bengals, replacing Josh Allen), and Shedeur Sanders (Browns, replacing Drake Maye) headline a roster packed with talent. The backfield features James Cook (Bills), Jonathan Taylor (Colts), and De’Von Achane (Dolphins), while wideouts like Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals), Nico Collins (Texans), and Courtland Sutton (Broncos) promise to light up the scoreboard.

The NFC counters with a dynamic group of quarterbacks: Dak Prescott (Cowboys), Jared Goff (Lions, in for Matthew Stafford), and Jalen Hurts (Eagles, replacing Sam Darnold). The running game boasts Christian McCaffrey (49ers), Bijan Robinson (Falcons), and Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions), while receivers such as Puka Nacua (Rams), George Pickens (Cowboys), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions) look to make their mark. Not to be overlooked, Green Bay’s Keisean Nixon earns a spot in the secondary, a nod to his standout season and the impact of alternates in the Pro Bowl selection process.

The format itself is designed for speed and entertainment. Each flag football game consists of two 20-minute halves, with a running clock until the final two minutes of each half. This structure keeps the action moving and ensures that the game remains accessible and engaging for both players and fans. The skill challenges—ranging from precision passing contests to obstacle courses—offer additional opportunities for athletes to shine and for fans to see their favorite stars in a different light.

“The move to flag football and the skills events has really changed the vibe,” said Jerry Rice, the NFC’s head coach. “It’s about celebrating these incredible athletes and giving them a stage to show what they can do without the risk of injury. The fans love it, and so do the players.”

Indeed, the Pro Bowl’s reimagined format has drawn strong reviews since its debut. While some traditionalists miss the hard-nosed competition of old, most agree that the flag football approach has reinvigorated the event. It allows for creativity, risk-taking, and plenty of highlight-reel moments—without the physical toll of a full-contact game.

The timing of this year’s Pro Bowl is also noteworthy. With the NFL shifting the game to Tuesday, February 3, there’s no football on the Sunday before the Super Bowl for the first time since August. It’s a break in tradition, but one that aligns with the league’s goal of building anticipation throughout Super Bowl week. The Pro Bowl serves as a lead-in to the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday, February 5, at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, where the league will announce its top awards, including MVP, Coach of the Year, and the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. The ceremony will air on NBC, capping off a week of celebration before the Seahawks and Patriots take the field for the season’s grand finale.

For players like Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson, Christian McCaffrey, James Cook, and Ja’Marr Chase, the Pro Bowl is both a reward for a stellar season and a chance to connect with fellow stars in a relaxed, festive atmosphere. For fans, it’s an opportunity to see their favorite athletes up close, try out new skills, and maybe even catch a glimpse of the next big thing in the NFL.

With so much talent on display and a format built for fun, the 2026 Pro Bowl Games promise to deliver plenty of memorable moments. Whether you’re tuning in for the flag football action, the skills competitions, or just to see legends like Jerry Rice and Steve Young back on the sidelines, there’s something for everyone in this year’s all-star celebration.

As the football world turns its eyes to San Francisco, the Pro Bowl’s new look, new day, and new energy signal a bright future for the NFL’s showcase of stars. And with Super Bowl 60 just around the corner, the stage is set for an unforgettable week in the Bay Area.