The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams will now face off in Glendale, Arizona, instead of Inglewood, California, for their NFC wild card game due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, the NFL confirmed.
The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. EST on Monday at State Farm Stadium.
“In the interest of public safety, the Vikings-Rams wild card game has been relocated from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood to State Farm Stadium, the Arizona Cardinals‘ home field,” the NFL stated. “The decision followed consultations with public officials, the teams involved, and the NFL Players Association.”
The game will be broadcast on ESPN and ABC, with tickets going on sale early Friday for Rams season ticket holders and shortly thereafter to the general public.
The wildfires, which have continued to rage in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, have forced over 180,000 people to evacuate, and tragically, 10 deaths have been confirmed.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford expressed solidarity with the community, saying, “We play for the people in this community, the people that support us.”
Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell reached out to Rams coach Sean McVay to offer his support, acknowledging the severe impact of the fires on many in the area.
Although SoFi Stadium has not been directly affected, the fires have caused hazardous air quality in the region. State Farm Stadium is nearly 400 miles east, offering a safer environment for the game to proceed.
The wildfires have also caused the postponement of other events in the area, including NBA and NHL games.
