The Los Angeles Rams’ NFL Wild Card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings has become the most high-profile sporting victim to date of the wildfires that have devastated Southern California, with the event relocated from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals.
The NFL playoffs commence this weekend and the Rams had hoped for home advantage for their clash against the Vikings. While the game will retain its Monday calendar slot and 8pm ET kick-off time, the NFL yesterday (Thursday) announced its relocation “in the interest of public safety”.
The League said the decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the Players’ Association (NFLPA). Tickets for the rearranged fixture will go on sale at 10am PT today through Seatgeek.com for Rams season ticket members, and noon PT to the general public.
Five fires are still burning, leading to at least 10 deaths, the destruction of hundreds of buildings and evacuation orders for nearly 180,000 residents across the county.
While the Rams-Vikings game is the most high-profile sporting event so far affected, the wildfires have already led to the postponement of the Los Angeles Kings’ NHL home game against the Calgary Flames planned for Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena, along with the Los Angeles Lakers’ NBA home game against the Charlotte Hornets at the same venue yesterday.
The NFL’s decision came around three hours after Rams head coach, Sean McVay, held his news conference for Monday’s game. He said: “This is bigger than the game of football, it gives you perspective.”
McVay added: “What sports represents is an opportunity for people to come together and provide a temporary sense of relief from some of the things that they’re going through. I’m excited about the opportunity for our team to go compete, and people can be proud to have a team that represents a lot of things that are right about sports.”
