The NFL has decided to move the Los Angeles Rams-Minnesota Vikings wild-card playoff game from Los Angeles to Arizona as a result of the deadly wildfires in Southern California.
The Rams will lose their home-field advantage due to the move, only the second playoff game in NFL history to be moved to a new city.
The NFL said they moved the game “in the interest of public safety” and that the decision “was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs, and the NFLPA.” The game will not be postponed.
The move exemplifies the wide impact of the recent California wildfires, which have caused a historic amount of damage and have burned entire communities to the ground. Nearly 30,000 acres have burned or are currently burning as of Thursday evening.
President Joe Biden approved a sweeping disaster declaration on Wednesday, calling the fire “astounding.”
“We’re doing anything and everything, and as long as it takes to contain these fires … to make sure you get back to normal,” Biden said. “It’s going to be a hell of a long way. It’s going to take time.”
Smokes from a wildfire rises over the Los Angeles Rams NFL football practice facility in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Greg Beacham)
Wildfire smoke could be seen from the Rams’s practice facility in Woodland Hills. The team held practice but canceled post-practice media availability so players could rush home quicker as evacuation orders were in effect for the area.
“Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that’s been affected by these fires,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said before Thursday’s practice. “It’s one of those deals that almost doesn’t feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected. Praying that as many people are OK, and you just see the amount of people that are affected and it’s one of those deals that … it gives you perspective.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell also offered his thoughts on the wildfire crisis.
“Just wanted to express my and our organizational sadness for those affected by the devastating fires in Los Angeles,” O’Connell said on Thursday. “You feel helpless watching it from here, and you know how many people are being impacted. Definitely, Southern California, I hold near and dear to my heart.”
“I have some friends that have lost homes and you just think about the impact it has on so many folks,” he added. “Our prayers are with all those impacted and definitely with the brave first responders that are putting their lives on the line and working 24-hour shifts to try to help put this thing to end, which is on all our minds as we watch some of those things from afar.”
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At least five people have died due to the wildfires and over 130,000 people are under evacuation orders. More than 5,000 structures have burned, with a large chunk in the Palisades area.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood but now will be hosted at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The 14-3 Vikings are a 1-point betting favorite to beat the 10-7 Rams on Monday evening.