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Will NFL leave Hawaii behind to make Orlando permanent Pro Bowl host?

While the Atlanta Falcons and New England Patriots are preparing for Super Bowl LI in Houston, dozens of other NFL players are in Orlando for the Pro Bowl.

The central Florida city is hosting the league’s all-star game for the first time, but could it be there to stay?

As reported by the Associated Press, after the league decided to move the game from Hawaii in an effort to revive it, Orlando was chosen as the winner and the city and its Camping World Stadium signed a two-year deal with the NFL to host the Pro Bowl, with an option for a third year.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott signs autographs after Friday’s Pro Bowl practice. (Dallas Cowboys Twitter)
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott signs autographs after Friday’s Pro Bowl practice. (Dallas Cowboys Twitter)

Practices have been open to the public this week, with reporters in Orlando tweeting pictures of the crowds that have been showing up, eager to be so close to some of the best players in the NFL.

This is just the third time in almost 40 years the Pro Bowl isn’t going to be played in Honolulu. Players have typically enjoyed the respite provided by the tropical locale, bringing families and teammates (for example, Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski has paid for his long snappers and holder to come with him in the past) along. Orlando of course provides a lot of appeal for families, but Drew Brees noted that hosting the game meant a lot for residents of Hawaii too.

“It’s tough that it’s not there, because we had a great fan base there,” Brees told the AP. “I know those fans appreciated it. They lived for that. They don’t have an NFL team and there are a lot of football fans there.”

Camping World Stadium (formerly known as the Citrus Bowl) holds 75,000 fans, and is expected to be sold out for the game on Sunday.