NFL Moves Rams-Vikings Playoff Game As L.A. Fires Continue

The NFL announced that it has decided to move the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings playoff game scheduled for Monday night to Arizona due to multiple fires still burning in Southern California.

A statement from the National Football League said that “in the interest of public safety,” the wild card game planned for SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, has been moved to Glendale, Arizona, home of the Arizona Cardinals, as firefighters continue to attempt to contain the blazes.

“The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA,” the NFL said in a statement.

The game’s start time remains at 8 p.m. ET, with ticket sales starting on Friday.

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…

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2025

Following Thursday’s practice, Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team’s “thoughts and prayers are with everybody that’s been affected by” the fires.

“It’s one of those deals that almost doesn’t feel real, but it certainly is real to the people that are affected,” McVay said, per the NFL. “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.”

The smoke from the fires also affected the Los Angeles Chargers, who practice near LAX airport in El Segundo. Due to the unhealthy air quality, players wore masks. They travel to the Lonestar State to play the Houston Texans in a wild-card game on Saturday.

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Chargers head Coach Jim Harbaugh told members of the press his “heart goes out and abundant prayers to all those that have been affected by this tragedy.”

“Also, just been inspired greatly by the first responders, the firefighters and the residents that have pulled together, had each other’s back,” he added. “It’s been tremendously inspiring.”

“So, even though we’ve been on-mission … abundant prayers and thoughts to all that are in this fight,” Harbaugh continued. “You see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors, it’s truly inspiring.”

Ahead of the league’s decision, the NFL announced it would set up a contingency plan to relocate the Vikings-Rams game if the wildfires continued to burn.

Related: NFL Makes Plans To Move Rams-Vikings Playoffs Game Due To L.A. Fires