Various media outlets report that the NFL Pro Bowl will be back in Las Vegas in 2023.
Although the NFL has not publicly announced the return of the game to Las Vegas, it has been reported that the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) board of directors has approved a budget of up to $1.75 million for event marketing.
The tentative date for the Pro Bowl at Allegiant Stadium is Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Nevada sports enthusiasts can participate in betting for the Bowl online or at any local sportsbook.
It’s not very surprising that the game is returning to Las Vegas. The league was pleased with the attendance for the Pro Bowl and NFL Draft in Las Vegas this year.
A spokesperson, who wishes to remain anonymous, for the NFL states:
“We’re excited to announce that following the remarkable success of the 2022 Pro Bowl and draft in Las Vegas, we will once again host the 2023 Pro Bowl in the city. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with both the LVCVA and the Las Vegas Raiders.”
The Pro Bowl generated an estimated $54.7 million economic benefit for Las Vegas this year, as reported by the LVCVA. This represents a good return on investment for the LVCVA, and could rise further if changes are made to the Pro Bowl week events next year.
Events from the 2022 Pro Bowl in Las Vegas likely to return
Earlier this year, the Pro Bowl attracted approximately 30,000 people to Las Vegas to witness the event and partake in weeklong experiences. In total, over 56,000 spectators viewed the game live at Allegiant Stadium.
The Pro Bowl offers more than just a single event to the host city. Alongside the game, these public events also occurred in Las Vegas during the Pro Bowl week:
- Practice for the Pro Bowl
- Opening Night of Football Play
- Championships of NFL FLAG
- NFL Network’s East-West Shrine Bowl
- ESPN’s Pro Bowl Skills Showdown (TV Broadcast)
The Pro Bowl in Las Vegas had an audience of 6.69 million across ABC, ESPN, and DisneyXD earlier this year. The viewership for next year’s game could potentially increase slightly as it will not be up against the Winter Olympics.
NFL Pro Bowl plans to add more programs to attract viewers
Even though many people traveled to Las Vegas to witness the Pro Bowl live and countless others tuned in on TV, it’s not the most popular NFL game among the public. The viewership of 6.69 million was significantly less than the average TV audience for an NFL game during the 2021 season.
The NFL regular season of 2021 averaged 17.1 million viewers across TV and digital platforms. However, there was a decline in Pro Bowl ratings and adverse publicity, prompting the league to consider modifications for the Pro Bowl.
Players participating don’t exert full effort as the game doesn’t have any significance to their teams or their financial status. The absence of vigorous hitting and intensity makes the Pro Bowl resemble a televised touch football practice game more than a competitive match.
At their Spring League Meeting this year, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL Player Association (NFLPA) had a discussion about the future of the game.
The conclusion drawn was that the game doesn’t function as it should. We acknowledged the need to devise a new method to honor our players. It’s crucial to celebrate our Pro Bowler players, who are the finest in our league, and provide them with a chance to share this recognition with our fans.
“We had a lengthy discussion about the popularity of certain Pro Bowl events, such as the quarterback challenge and other activities. These are aspects we’re likely to expand upon.”
Anticipate the NFL incorporating more programming related to the event to draw in TV and social media viewers.
During the Spring meeting, Goodell mentioned the popularity of the quarterback challenge.
Enhancing the game with more captivating content would also provide tourists with an additional incentive to visit Las Vegas for the NFL’s all-star game.
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