Due to ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area, the NFL has relocated the Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona. The game, originally scheduled to be held at SoFi Stadium, will now take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday night. The decision was made after another fire broke out near the Rams’ training facility in Woodland Hills, just a few miles from the stadium.
Los Angeles has been struggling with multiple wildfires throughout the week, worsened by high winds across the region. Although the fires are not near SoFi Stadium, the NFL decided to move the game to ensure the safety of players, fans, and staff. Concerns over air quality, local emergency response resources, and community strain were significant factors in the decision.
Rams coach Sean McVay had expressed hope earlier in the day that the game could still take place at home. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty created by the wildfires, emphasizing that the situation was beyond the team’s control. McVay also noted the importance of preparing for different scenarios, just as the team had done during a past game relocation due to concerns over Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium.
While the relocation of NFL games is rare, it has happened before. For example, a 2003 game between the Chargers and Dolphins was moved from San Diego to Arizona due to wildfires, and in 2018, the Rams’ game against Kansas City was relocated from Mexico City to Los Angeles because of field conditions.
With air quality concerns and the impact of the fires on the community, McVay stressed the importance of focusing on what the team can control, while also ensuring that the health and safety of all involved remains the top priority. The Rams and other teams practicing outdoors in the area have had to monitor the conditions closely throughout the week.
