The NFL has moved the upcoming Wild-Card playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to the ongoing wildfires impacting Southern California. This decision, announced by the league on Thursday, comes after consultation with public officials, both teams, and the NFL Players Association, prioritizing public safety amid the devastating fires.
This relocation marks the third Los Angeles sporting event affected this week, following postponements of both Lakers and Kings games. The Rams-Vikings game, initially slated for Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will now kick off at the same scheduled time of 8 p.m. ET in Arizona.
The Rams had a scheduled off day Wednesday, while their stadium co-tenants, the Los Angeles Chargers, who have a Saturday wild-card game in Houston, modified their practice schedule to limit players' outdoor exposure due to compromised air quality. This isn't the first time State Farm Stadium has served as an alternate venue. During the 2020 season, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the San Francisco 49ers played three "home" games there. Earlier, in 2003, wildfires in San Diego led to a game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers being relocated to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.
The ongoing wildfires, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, have caused widespread damage across the Los Angeles region, impacting communities like Pacific Palisades and Altadena. These fires, fueled by Santa Ana winds, have scorched nearly 30,000 acres, forcing over 130,000 residents to evacuate. Tragically, at least five lives have been lost, and over 1,000 structures destroyed. The devastating impact of these fires has highlighted the growing challenge of securing insurance coverage in high-risk wildfire zones, drawing attention and concern from prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the city hasn't seen significant rainfall since May 5th, exacerbating the dry conditions contributing to the fires' rapid spread.
