How much money do players get for playing in the 2026 Pro Bowl?
Being chosen to play in the NFL Pro Bowl used to be a point of prestige. Things may be different now, but players are still compensated pretty well.
Being selected to the NFL Pro Bowl is used to be considered an honor for a professional football player, and a good addition to any resumé. Getting chosen by fans, league executives, and fellow players was a validation of all the training and hard work a player puts into his performance, and it’s always good to know you are considered the best among your peers.
Although it’s trending a little differently in 2026, with players opting out without explanation and appearing indifferent, and questionable selections making it in, participating in the Pro Bowl could still be well worth the time of the athlete, depending on which end of the salary spectrum they belong to. For some, it’s a hefty payday after the end of the regular season, but for others, it’s practically small change.
2026 Pro Bowl payout
Everyone who plays in the game will receive a paycheck this year: winners take home $92,000 each, while those on the losing end will receive half of this amount at $46,000. Not bad for a few hours work, but not considered particularly huge by those who have mammoth contracts.
Take the case of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, whose contract sees him take home around $92,000 per day on average from his NFL salary, rain or shine.
The Pro Bowl winner’s purse is considerably less than that, but this year Darnold won’t be participating anyway since he and the Seahawks are in the Super Bowl.
Still, the prize money is nothing to sneeze at. The minimum salary for NFL players was slated at around $840,0000 for rookies for the 2025 season, and if this were divided into 18 (17 regular season games plus a bye), it would come out to a little over $46,600. Even members of the losing Pro Bowl team will top this for the day.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.