NFL Stars practice outside during the Pro Bowl.
© Jamie Lamor Thompson/Shutterstock.com
No AI-generated content: this article is written and researched by humans
Table of contents
Click here for a short summary of of the article.
Quick Guide: How to Watch the NFL 2023 Pro Bowl Games Online for Free

The NFL’s switching things up this year. Fans waiting for Super Bowl LVII are getting a brand new Pro Bowl in 2023. Instead of the traditional all-star tackle game, the NFL is putting on a series of skills-based competitions, as well as a no-contact flag football game to wrap the week.

Want to stream the 2023 Pro Bowl Games for free? You can use a VPN to connect to a free broadcast from Australia. Just follow the guide below:

  1. Get a fast VPN if you don’t have one already. We can give Surfshark the go-ahead.
  2. Register an account.
  3. Download the VPN onto the streaming device of your choice.
  4. Log in to the VPN app using the credentials you created at signup.
  5. Connect to a VPN server in Australia. Surfshark has several cities to choose from.
  6. Navigate to 7plus’s free live stream on channel 7mate. Don’t have an account? You only need an email address and to enter an Australian postcode (just search for one online) to sign up for a free 7plus account.
  7. Enjoy the first-ever Pro Bowl skills-based games and competitions. Once you’ve set up your account, you’ll be able to watch Super Bowl LVII for free too!

Want to connect to a U.S.-based stream? The 2023 Pro Bowl Games will be simulcast on ESPN and ABC. We’ll show you how to live stream those channels without cable TV. Just read on below!

Let’s face it, the NFL Pro Bowl has struggled over the years.

Whether it’s the questionable selection process or players understandably mailing it in for fear of injury, the Pro Bowl hasn’t been as beloved as other all-star games.

But this year, the NFL is shaking the critics’ tree and rebranding the event “The Pro Bowl Games.” For starters, they’ve brought back skills-based competitions like Precision Pass, Best Catch, and Kick-Tac-Toe.

In a bid to up the ante among competitors — while also minimizing the risk of injury — it all culminates on Sunday with a seven-on-seven flag football game featuring the best of the league’s skill players.

It’s certainly piqued our interest, and we’ve dug up a free live stream of the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. You’ll need a virtual private network (VPN) and a streaming device for this online trick to work. As a bonus, you’ll also be able to watch the upcoming Super Bowl LVII too! Just follow the guide below.

When Are the 2023 Pro Bowl Games?

The NFL Pro Bowl returns to Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas this year, albeit retooled.

Thursday, Feb. 2, will see the best of the NFC and AFC face off during skills competitions. The reimagined “Pro Bowl Games” kick off Sunday, Feb. 5. Here’s a quick rundown:

CompetitionDateTime (ET)BroadcasterLive Streams
Skills Competition
Lightning Round
Longest Drive
Precision Passing
Best Catch (Round 1)
Thursday, Feb. 2, 20237:00 PMSeven Network (AU)

ESPN/ABC (US)
7mate (Free)

ESPN+
The Pro Bowl Games
Gridiron Gauntlet
Kick Tac Toe
Move the Chains
Pro Bowl Flag Football Game
Sunday, Feb. 5, 20233:00 PM Seven Network (AU)

ESPN/ABC (US)
7mate (Free)

ESPN+

How to Watch the Pro Bowl (2023) Games Online for Free

While the NFL has long been one of the most popular sports in the United States, it’s still growing in many other countries.

One country that has been making a push for the gridiron is the Land Down Under. Australia’s free-to-air Seven Network has cut a deal to show the entire 2023 NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LVII. You’re in luck! That also covers the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

But geographically-based restrictions are in place for many websites. By reading your IP address (which gives away your real location), websites can decide whether or not to block your access to content. If you tried to click the 7mate live stream we posted above from outside Australia, you were likely blocked harder than a defensive lineman.

That is why a VPN is worth considering. A VPN will mask your IP address and establish a secure connection with streaming services worldwide.

Follow the guide below, and we’ll show you how you can connect to Australia and watch for free too.

Step 1: Get a Surfshark subscription

Screenshot of Surfshark Christmas homepage deal

If you don’t have an Australian IP address, you’ll need one to connect to 7plus’s live NFL streams. While the tech itself is complicated, you can connect to an Aussie server quite easily when you use Surfshark, which is one of our top five VPN providers for 2023. It just takes the click of a mouse. Here’s why we like it for Australia:

  • Server locations in five different Australian cities
  • Over 3,200 servers in 100 countries in total
  • Fast connection speeds, especially for far-off servers
  • A 30-day money-back guarantee

Are you a VPN first-timer? Don’t fret. Surfshark has apps on all the leading operating systems, as well as all the major app stores. Whether you’re using Windows, Mac, or Linux, you can download the software by following the installation wizard instructions. For iOS and Android, installation is automatic. Since Surfshark doesn’t have a cap on installations, put it on as many devices as you’d like.

VPNs have many advantageous uses, so they’re certainly worth installing and having around on your devices. But if you’re only interested in the Pro Bowl Games (and maybe Super Bowl LVII after), you can use Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee. To get started, click the orange button in the box below.

2. Connect to an Australian server

Now that you’ve signed up for a VPN and installed it, you’ll need to log in to the app and launch it. You should have created a password at registration.

Screenshot of Surfshark VPN, login

To watch NFL content on 7plus, you’ll need to connect to a server in Australia. You can do this by typing “Australia” in the search box. Connection options for Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth will pop up after a search.

Pick any of those options. All you need to do is click.

Software of Surfshark VPN showing the app connected to a server in Brisbane, Australia

Wait for a second or two, and you’ll be connected. To confirm this, Surfshark has a message that reads: “Protected. Your connection is safe.” Since Surfshark has advanced encryption for your data and provides you with an anonymous IP address, your browsing and streaming sessions are now secure.

3. Head over to Australia’s 7plus website

Screenshot of 7plus website, Sport, NFL page

With your connection secured and an anonymous Australian IP, you’re on the goal line. Now you’re ready to stream the NFL Pro Bowl Games on the 7plus website.

To watch on channel 7mate, follow these steps:

  1. Make sure you’re connected to a server in Australia.
  2. Open your browser and navigate to 7plus’s free live stream of the Bengals vs. Chiefs on channel 7mate.
  3. To watch, set up a 7plus account. The process is fast and easy. You only need an active email address and an Australian postcode, which you can find with an online search. Once you’ve completed an email confirmation and activated your account, you’re good to go.
  4. With a free 7plus account, you can watch the Pro Bowl Games and the Super Bowl in the coming weeks!

That’s it. If you prefer not to offer up an email address or don’t want to sign-up for a service, try out some alternative streams from our list of free NFL streaming sites.

Live Streams of NFL Pro Bowl 2023 Games

We love free international streams, so 7plus has been our favorite route to catch this year’s NFC Championship, AFC Championship, Super Bowl, and everything in between.

In the United States, though, the Pro Bowl Games will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC and streamed on ESPN+. Fans looking to stream from home platforms will find the Pro Bowl Games through ESPN and ABC via the providers below:

ServiceChannelsPriceFree trial?Do I need a VPN to watch it?
ESPN+N/A$9.99 per monthNo Yes, if you’re not within the U.S.
YouTube TV100+ channels$54.99 per month (first three months)14-day free trialYes, if you’re not within the U.S.
FuboTV150+ channels$69.99–$99.99 per monthSeven-day free trialYes, if you’re not within the U.S, Canada, or Spain.
Sling TV150+ channels$40-$50 per monthNoYes, if you’re not within the U.S.
DIRECTV STREAM75+ live TV channels$69.99 per monthFive-day free trialYes, if you’re not within the U.S.
Hulu + Live TV75+ channels$69.99 per month (first three months)NoYes, if you’re not within the U.S.

2023 Pro Bowl Games Competitions

The NFL’s gone back to the drawing board, and this year’s Pro Bowl will look and operate noticeably differently.

The event will be split across two days, with Thursday, Feb. 2, largely consisting of skill-based competitions for the Pro Bowl’s top-voted players. Sunday, Feb. 5, has been given the official title of the “Pro Bowl Games” and will wrap with an all-star, no-to-low-contact flag football game.

Here’s a quick summary of what to expect:

Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023

  • Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball: A classic dodgeball tournament spanning multiple rounds. There will be four teams of five players, starting with offenses and defenses from each conference. Like an NFL Playoff, the best of both conferences will face off in an AFC vs. NFC final.
  • Lightning Round: A three-round tournament consisting of water balloons, punt-catching, and a target-hitting competition to soak coaches with overhead buckets from opposing conferences.
  • Longest Drive: Four NFL players (also avid golfers) compete to see who can drive a golf ball the furthest off a tee.
  • Precision Passing: One-minute passing accuracy competition featuring two quarterbacks from each conference and one non-QB. Participants will try to hit moving targets.
  • Best Catch (Round 1): Part one of a two-part tournament will see players try to create the most inventive and impressive catches, similar to an NBA dunking competition. This will be pre-recorded, and fans will vote on the best receptions.

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023

  • Best Catch (Finale): Top-voted players in the Best Catch category will compete in a live head-to-head competition in front of judges.
  • Gridiron Gauntlet: Relay race showcasing speed, strength, and agility where players run an obstacle course.
  • Move the Chain: Teams will see who can pull a heavily-weighted wall 10 yards in the least amount of time.
  • Kick Tac Toe: Kickers, punters, and long snappers compete in a giant Tic Tac Toe competition to show off their skills.
  • Flag Football Games: Series of three no to low-contact flag football games.

Scoring for Conference Winners

Here’s how scoring will play out:

  • There are 24 points available across the eight different skills-based competitions. The winning conference earns three points toward their team’s overall score for each event.
  • Sunday, Feb. 5, will have three flag football games. The first two games are worth six points each for the winning team, 12 points available overall.
  • Team points from the skills competitions and the first two flag football games will be added together. This will be the score at the beginning of the third and final flag football game. The final score will determine which conference wins the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

2023 Pro Bowl Games Roster

You’ll find the rosters for the AFC and NFC down below.

AFC

PositionStarterSubstitute
QuarterbackPatrick Mahomes (Kansas City)Josh Allen (Buffalo), Joe Burrow (Cincinnati)
Wide receiverStefon Diggs (Buffalo), Tyreek Hill (Miami)Davante Adams (Las Vegas), Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati)
Tight endTravis Kelce (Kansas City)Mark Andrews (Baltimore)
Running backNick Chubb (Cleveland)Derrick Henry (Tennesse), Josh Jacobs (Las Vegas)
FullbackPatrick Ricard (Baltimore)
Offensive tackleTerron Armstead (Miami), Laremy Tunsil (Houston)Orlando Brown (Kansas City)
Offensive guardJoel Bitonio (Cleveland), Quenton Nelson (Indianapolis)Joe Thuney (Kansas City)
CenterCreed Humphrey (Kansas City)Mitch Morse (Buffalo)
Defensive endMaxx Crosby (Las Vegas), Myles Garrett (Cleveland)Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati)
Interior linemenChris Jones (Kansas City), Quinnen Williams (NY Jets)Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee)
Outside linebackerMatt Judon (New England), Khalil Mack (LA Chargers)T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh)
Inside linebackerRoquan Smith (Baltimore)C.J. Mosley (NY Jets)
CornerbackSauce Gardner (NY Jets), Pat Surtain II (Denver)Xavien Howard (Miami), Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore)
Free safetyMinkah Fitzpatrick (Pittsburgh)
Strong safetyDerwin James (LA Chargers)Jordan Poyer (Buffalo)
PunterTommy Townsend (Kansas City)
PlacekickerJustin Tucker (Baltimore)
Long snapperMorgan Cox (Tennessee)
Return specialistDevin Duvernay (Baltimore)
Special teamerJustin Hardee (NY Jets)

NFC

PositionStarterSubstitute
Quarterback Jalen Hurts (Philadephia)Kirk Cousins (Minnesota), Geno Smith (Seattle)
Wide receiverA.J. Brown (Philadelphia), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota) CeeDee Lamb (Dallas), Terry McLaurin (Washington)
Tight endGeorge Kittle (San Francisco)T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota),
Running backSaquon Barkley (NY Giants)Tony Pollard (Dallas), Miles Sanders (Philadelphia)
FullbackKyle Juszczyk (San Francisco)
Offensive tackleLane Johnson (Philadelphia), Trent Williams (San Francisco)Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay)
Offensive guardLandon Dickerson (Philadelphia), Zack Martin (Dallas)Chris Lindstrom (Atlanta)
CenterJason Kelce (Philadelphia)Frank Ragnow (Detroit)
Defensive endNick Bosa (San Francisco), Brian Burns (Carolina) DeMarcus Lawrence (Dallas)
Interior linemenJonathan Allen (Washington), Aaron Donald (LA Rams)Dexter Lawrence (NY Giants)
Outside linebackerMicah Parsons (Dallas), Za’Darius Smith (Minnesota)Haason Reddick (Philadelphia)
Inside linebackerFred Warner (San Francisco)Demario Davis (New Orleans),
CornerbackTrevon Diggs (Dallas), Darius Slay (Philadelphia), Jaire Alexander (Green Bay), Tariq Woolen (Seattle)
Free safetyQuandre Diggs (Seattle)
Strong safetyBudda Baker (Arizona)Talanoa Hufanga (San Francisco)
PunterTress Way (Washington)
PlacekickerJason Myers (Seattle)
Long snapperAndrew DePaola (Minnesota)
Return specialistKaVontae Turpin (Dallas)
Special teamerJeremy Reaves (Washington)
Leave a comment