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NFL Re-Imagines Pro Bowl — 2017 Game to be Played in Orlando
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and Indianapolis Colts cornerback Vontae Davis (21) compete for a ball at the 2016 NFL Pro Bowl. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)
The NFL will celebrate its brightest stars during the new Pro Bowl Week festivities in 2017 in Orlando. The announcement was made at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, which will serve as the home of the AFC-NFC team practices and will host unprecedented new youth-focused football activities.
Pro Bowl Week will celebrate all levels of football — from youth to high school to the NFL’s best and will culminate with the 2017 Pro Bowl game at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sunday, January 29. The game will be televised live at 8 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
“We are excited to re-imagine the Pro Bowl experience for both fans and players and to celebrate the game of football at all levels,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Collaborating with Disney and ESPN brings us closer to the best in youth- and family-focused entertainment. We look forward to working with the city of Orlando and Florida Citrus Sports to create a week-long celebration for football and our fans.”
The 2017 Pro Bowl also features a return to the traditional AFC vs. NFC game format following three years using a revised, "unconferenced" format. The game will feature the NFL’s best — 44 from each conference — determined by a consensus vote of fans, players and coaches.
Among the highlights of Pro Bowl Week:
Pro Bowl AFC and NFC practices will be held alongside youth football competitions, activities and fan events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, which annually hosts more than 100 youth sports events, such as the Pop Warner Super Bowl.
The 2017 Pro Bowl players will be able to invite their former youth or high school coach to be a part of the celebrations during the week. Players on the winning Pro Bowl teams will receive a grant from the NFL Foundation to support their youth or high school football program.
The annual USA Football National Conference — the largest annual gathering of high school and youth football stakeholders in the United States — will take place during the week before the Pro Bowl. More than 650 high school athletic directors and youth football commissioners will meet to examine the standards in football, including coaching education, player safety, research, injury prevention and trends for the football community.
The Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award winner will be announced on ESPN during the Pro Bowl as part of a yearlong recognition of high school coaches. The award honors high school football coaches who display the integrity, achievement, and leadership exemplified by Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history.
In partnership with Disney, Pro Bowl festivities for youth and their families will take place throughout the week, including a Pro Bowl-themed 5k run, a parade of Pro Bowl players in the Magic Kingdom, and Pro Bowl-themed elements throughout Disney Springs, Disney’s newest entertainment and dining destination.
In addition, the Miami Dolphins host the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 of the preseason in Camping World Stadium on Thursday, August 25 at 8 PM ET, part of the celebration of Play Football Month. Youth football teams from across Florida will be honored as part of the game day activities.
Tickets will be available to the public in November. Fans may register on ProBowl.com for exclusive presale opportunities and additional information on Pro Bowl Week fan events in Orlando.
