The NFL announced that the 2011 Pro Bowl will return to Hawaii and be played the weekend before Super Bowl XLV at Aloha Stadium. Game time is Sunday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. ET.

Honolulu had been the home to the Pro-Bowl from 1980 through 2009 until a change was made and for the first time the game was played prior to the Super Bowl in 2010.

The decision to play the weekend before the Super Bowl again in 2011 was fueled by the increase in ratings and attendance for the 2010 game that was held in South Beach in January.

Although that 2010 Pro Bowl game was missing the players from both Super Bowl teams and the game had a slew of reserves, approximately 12.3 million viewers watched the game on ESPN. That number was a 40% increase from the 2009 game that was played the week after that Super Bowl.

The 12.3 million viewers also set a record for most
viewers to watch an All-Star game in any sport on cable television.

NFL Vice president Frank Supovitz commented on the change.

“Playing the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl generated more excitement and interest in the event and also kicked off Super Bowl week in an innovative new way. We are pleased to return to the state of Hawaii, which has embraced the Pro Bowl for 30 years.”