2021 NFL Pro Bowl to be played virtually on Madden

The NFL and EA Sports announced Tuesday that they will partner to create an all-new virtual Pro Bowl experience within Madden NFL 21.

The Pro Bowl was scheduled to be played in the Las Vegas Raiders' new Allegiant Stadium in 2021, but the league canceled the contest amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, the NFL and EA Sports will organize a week-long series of matchups featuring celebrities, NFL legends, current players, and streamers playing as the official Pro Bowl rosters for fans to watch.

"These matchups will culminate in an action-packed virtual Pro Bowl game played with 2021 Pro Bowl players facing off within Madden NFL 21," the NFL announced.

EA Sports will also release new Pro Bowl in-game content for Madden to allow players to experience the AFC-NFC matchup.

"We are transforming the Pro Bowl for fans everywhere and bringing another amazing NFL experience to life in the way only Madden NFL can," EA EVP of marketing, commercial and positive play Chris Bruzzo said. "We're excited to work closely with the NFL, our long-time partner, to move the Pro Bowl to the virtual fields of Madden NFL and be part of the first high-profile sporting event to go virtual.

"Our community is hungry for more interactive experiences, so we are always working to create more opportunities to bring them closer to the sports they love."

Fan voting for the Pro Bowl opened Tuesday and will run until Dec. 17. NFL players and coaches will cast their votes the day after.