ORLANDO, Fla. _ The Pro Bowl will return to Camping World Stadium in Orlando in 2018, and it is moving to the afternoon, the NFL officially announced Wednesday.
The game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Jan. 28, and will be simulcast for the first time on ESPN and ABC.
The NFL's all-star game was played in Orlando for the first time this year and generally was well-received, not only for the signature event but a weeklong list of activities leading to it. The buildup, promoting all levels of football, will continue.
"The Pro Bowl is not only a time to watch NFL greats compete live, but it is also a unique opportunity to inspire youth and the next generation of stars," said Peter O'Reilly, NFL senior vice president of events. "We received tremendous feedback from players, coaches and fans about Orlando's first Pro Bowl, and we are excited to build upon that enthusiasm with a weeklong festival that celebrates the entire football community."
The decision to return to Central Florida was not surprising, considering Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan has said the agreement with the NFL was for two years, plus an option to host the 2019 Pro Bowl.
The AFC prevailed 20-13 in January in a game that drew an announced crowd of 60,834, the fifth-largest announced turnout for the Pro Bowl since the 1970 season.
Before moving to Orlando, the Pro Bowl had been played in Honolulu almost exclusively since 1980. The only times it had not been during that span was in 2010 in Miami and 2015 in Glendale, Ariz.
