ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of fans are pouring into downtown Orlando with one thing on their mind, football.
With the Pro Bowl just a few hours away, people are filtering in steadily into Camping World Stadium, ready for the game.
- NFL Pro Bowl 3 p.m. Sunday at Orlando's Camping World Stadium
- Pro Bowl event guide, ticket and parking information
- Pro Bowl packed with pending free agents
- Bucs Linebacker Shaq Barrett brings Super Flair to Pro Bowl
The game and events leading up to it, including this week's skill challenges, are expected to pump millions of dollars into the local economy.
Bad weather put a damper on the Pro Bowl for the last couple of years but the forecast looking good Sunday. An expected crowd could surpass last year's 58,000.
This Sunday morning is anything but quiet… as football fans like Andy and Matthew Martin together with 8-year-old Collin Martin filter in toward Camping World Stadium.
“I just love football, love watching my favorite players play.” said Andy Martin.
Unlike most pro games, who fans are rooting today isn’t so clear.
“Probably almost anyone that catches the ball and makes a touchdown," Andy said, laughing.
“NFC!” Matthew said.
"AFC!" Collin said, looking up and laughing.
From Lakeland, the Martins drove the hour and a half long journey in Sunday morning, parking and walking over five hours before kick off, avoiding the traffic.
“Right down the street, yeah," Matthew said.
They’re not the only ones.
“Well, we came up yesterday so it only took me about two hours,” said Michelle Byers. She and her daughter Meleah drove in from Clearwater on Saturday, getting to the stadium in plenty of time to avoid the rush but in time to celebrate their birthdays, turning 11 and 47. They're making a weekend of it, visiting SeaWorld and Disney Springs but with the game a bucket-list item, Byers said finding cheap, nearby parking early-on was a priority.
“Well, I parked all the way over and out a little bit, so we walked about a mile to get here. It was cheaper, that way I can spend more money in there, right?” Byers said, laughing.
With limited parking available on-site, many fans are turning away from the big streets, paying cash to locals for a spot or getting a ride and walking the rest of the way. While this is a day divided between AFC and NFC, many here are uniting around one simple cause, seeing the best players in a great game.
The Pro Bowl Fan Central, box office and Stadium Gates open up at noon. Kick off for the Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium is at 3 p.m.
Stadium policies
Also, keep in mind Camping World Stadium's clear bag policy.
All bags must be transparent and no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches.
Purses larger than a clutch bag are not allowed inside.