SYDNEY is fast becoming the second home for American sports with the harbour city in the box seat to host the NFL’s annual Pro Bowl game.

On the back of securing the opening game of the US college football season in August at ANZ Stadium, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Sydney is preparing to put in a major bid to host NFL’s all-stars match next year.

It is understood Brazil and Melbourne are also in the mix, however, Sydney’s proven record in hosting major sporting events including Major League Baseball’s 2014 season opener at the SCG makes it the frontrunner.

NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events and Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres believes Sydney is the perfect location to host the Pro Bowl.

“Sydney is Australia’s home of sport and major events,” Ayres said.

“We welcome any opportunity to bid on what is arguably one of the most exciting events on the world sporting calendar.

“Sydney has a proven track record of attracting the biggest and best events the world has to offer. A city full of wonderful people, great weather and proximity to Asia, there is no better place than Sydney.

“The fact college football is coming to Sydney in August puts us in the box seat to showcase our world-class credentials.”

The Pro Bowl involves the top players in the American Football Conference (AFC) against the National Football Conference (NFC).

media_camera Odell Beckham Jr hauls in a pass over Antonio Cromartie during the 2015 Pro Bowl.

Since 1979, the concept has been played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii and other US cities, but Sydney is now a chance to host the event after NFL team owners last October approved a proposal to stage more international games through to 2025.

NFL executive vice-president international Mark Waller previously stated Australia could be an option to host the Pro Bowl at some point in the future.

“It’s hard to imagine taking a regular-season game to Australia or Asia or the far east because how would you make the logistics work and then be competitive?” Waller said.

“But the great thing about the Pro Bowl is that it’s a celebration of the end of the season, so we are much more open to where in the world would it be fantastic for players to go and celebrate the end of the season.”

media_camera Quarterback Andrew Luck at the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium.

This year’s Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium on Monday, February 1 from 11am (AEST) and will provide a snapshot of what Sydney fans could expect to see.

Thanks to Jarryd Hayne’s journey at the San Francisco 49ers and countless other Australians excelling in the NFL, the popularity of American football in Australia is booming.

Hosting a historic event such as the Pro Bowl would only enhance this interest, while creating opportunities for other aspiring athletes to follow in the footsteps of Hayne and New York Giants punter Brad Wing.

The harbour city last hosted a pre-season match between the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers in front of 73,811 fans at the Olympic stadium in 1999.

But with Sydney staging the College season opener between the University of California, Berkeley and University of Hawaii on August 27, the city is now being seriously viewed by the NFL as a legitimate location for matches.

A final decision on the Pro Bowl venue for next year is expected in the coming weeks.

media_camera Tony Romo runs on to the field before the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium.

PRO BOWL KEY FACTS

* The annual all-star game of the National Football League (NFL)

* Following a merger with the rival American Football League (AFL) in 1970, the match was officially titled the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl.

* The match involved the top players in the American Football Conference (AFC) against the National Football Conference (NFC).

* From 2014, the teams were chosen by two honorary Hall of Fame captains in a televised event four days prior to the game.

* Between 1970 and 2009, the Pro Bowl was held on the weekend after the Super Bowl.

* Since 2010, the Pro Bowl has been played on the weekend after the Conference Championship games and a week before the Super Bowl.

* Players from the two teams participating in the Super Bowl don’t participate.

* The 2016 Pro Bowl will be played at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu on Monday, February 1 from 11am (AEST).

* The two teams will be drafted and captained by Jerry Rice (winning 2014 Pro Bowl captain) and Michael Irvin (winning 2015 Pro Bowl captain).