Since its first year in Honolulu in 1980, the NFL's annual all-star game has been a hit with spectators, selling out 25 of the past 26 games at the 50,000-seat Halawa facility.

Sunday's game kicks off at 1 p.m., and will be broadcast live on ESPN.

"I think growing up, every kid dreamed of this opportunity," said Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall, a first-year Pro Bowl selection. "It means you have arrived."

The Pro Bowl teams — 43-players each for the American Football Conference and National Football Conference — are voted on by fans, players and coaches.

Each group's vote counts one-third toward determining the rosters.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning received a record 1,184,142 fan votes on NFL.com, in stadiums and via the Sprint wireless service. Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (1,110,575 votes) ranked second, followed by San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (1,044,360), Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson (987,650) and Chargers tight end Antonio Gates (941,846).

"To get the respect of your peers, to have people honor your effort, honor your season by voting you into this event — which I think is one of the premier all-star events in all of professional events — is a huge honor for me," said Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Josh Bidwell, a first-time Pro Bowler.

For the record, players on the winning team will each earn $40,000 (coaches get $15,000), while losing team members each earn $20,000 (coaches get $10,000).

In October 2004, the state and NFL signed a $21 million contract to keep the Pro Bowl in Honolulu through 2009.

The 2005 game brought in 33,000 visitors to Hawai'i, accounted for $39.45 million in visitor spending, and $3.83 million in state taxes, according to the state's Hawai'i Tourism Authority.

"We have had a terrific partnership with the state for more than 25 years," NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue said in NFL Report magazine. "During that time, our All-Star game has grown into much more than a one-day event. It is now a week-long celebration of our sport."