The NFL has officially moved Monday’s playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings to Arizona.
SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles was due to host the wild card game after the 10-7 Rams secured the No. 4 seed in the NFC, with the 14-3 Vikings taking the No. 5 seed. Yet the game has been moved to State Farm Stadium in Arizona, a neutral venue and the home of the Arizona Cardinals.
This is due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. At least five people in the Greater Los Angeles area have died since the wildfires started on Tuesday, while nearly 180,000 people have evacuated their homes. Thousands of structures have also been burnt.
- Rams practice facility surrounded by smoke as Los Angeles wildfires threaten NFL Playoffs
- Steve Kerr breaks silence on ‘apocalyptic’ scenes in hometown ‘wiped out’ by LA wildfires
NFL chiefs prepared a contingency plan to move Monday’s game from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium on Wednesday, but they remained confident it could go ahead in California as planned. Yet they’ve now been forced to use their Plan B.
A statement from the NFL read: “In the interest of public safety, Monday’s Vikings-Rams Wild Card game has been moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA to State Farm Stadium, the home of the Arizona Cardinals, the NFL announced today.
“The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA. The game will be televised on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes at its scheduled 8:00 p.m. ET time.
The wildfires have destroyed thousands of structures in the Greater Los Angeles area (
AFP via Getty Images)
“Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. PT Friday morning through Seatgeek.com for Rams Season Ticket Members and Noon PT to the general public. More information on ticket sales will be provided as soon as possible.”
Fears Monday’s game could be moved emerged on Wednesday after the Los Angeles Kings postponed their NHL game against the Calgary Flames. The Los Angeles Lakers followed suit on Thursday by postponing their NBA game with the Charlotte Hornets, with Lakers head coach J.J. Redick losing his home in Pacific Palisades due to the wildfires.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles,” the Lakers said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation. And our gratitude is with the first responders and all of you who come together when we need each other the most. Tonight’s game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today.”
Redick isn’t the only sporting figure to lose his home in the wildfires. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr lost his childhood home in Pacific Palisades. His 90-year-old mother Ann was forced to safely evacuate the property.
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