Vikings-Rams wild-card game on Monday moved to Arizona due to Los Angeles-area fires Jan 09, 2025
The NFL on Thursday announced that, in the importance of public safeness, the Minnesota Vikings-Los Angeles Rams wild-card game on Monday night has been moved from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The change of venue comes as Southern California is dealing with multiple wildfires.
“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 statement read, in part.
“The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA.”
With the game’s venue being changed, its 8 p.m. ET start time will remain with ticket sales opening Friday.
Starting late Tuesday morning with a fire in Pacific Palisades, California, myriad wind-fueled blazes engulfed the greater Los Angeles area. The Eaton Fire (Altadena/Pasadena) and Hurst Fire (Sylmar) followed the Palisades Fire, but others have popped up, one of the latest igniting Thursday in the West Hills neighborhood, which isn’t far from the Rams’ Woodland Hills practice facility.
Following the Rams’ practice on Thursday, the team canceled open locker room availability, NFL Network’s Bridget Condon reported, so players could get home quicker as evacuation orders had begun in the area.
Across the Southland, five deaths have been reported, but officials say the toll is likely to be higher, while more than 5,000 structures have been burned, according to the L.A. Times, and more than 130,000 residents have been placed under evacuation orders, per the Associated Press.
Rams head coach Sean McVay addressed the media before Thursday’s practice — and prior to the West Hills fire, called the Kenneth Fire.
“Obviously, our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that’s been affected by these fires,” McVay said at the time. “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.”
The blazes have impacted the Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, who will play against the host Houston Texans on Saturday in an AFC wild-card game. The Chargers practice in El Segundo. With plumes of smoke taking over the skies throughout the region, air quality is a concern. Players at Chargers practice were seen taking part in Thursday’s session wearing masks.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh on Thursday said his daughter Grace’s home had to be evacuated.
“Heart goes out and abundant prayers to all those that have been affected by this tragedy,” Harbaugh said, while donning a Los Angeles Fire Department hat. “Also, just been inspired greatly by the first responders, the firefighters and the residents that have pulled together, had each other’s back. It’s been tremendously inspiring.
“So, even though we’ve been on-mission … abundant prayers and thoughts to all that are in this fight. You see neighbors on top of houses helping fellow neighbors, it’s truly inspiring.”
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, who was McVay’s offensive coordinator from 2020-2021, offered his thoughts on the arduous situation when also speaking Thursday prior to the game announcement.
“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. 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.”
Thursday’s announcement will mark the fifth time the NFL has moved a game to the Arizona Cardinals’ home stadium and the fourth to State Farm Stadium. It will be just the third time in league history that a playoff game — excluding the Super Bowl — will take place at a venue that was not the home team’s stadium for any regular-season games. The previous were the 1936 NFL Championship and the 1945 NFL Championship.
The 10-7 Rams are the reigning NFC West champions and fourth seed in the NFC, while the Vikings, runners-up in the NFC North, are 14-3 and seeded fifth.
The game will be televised as scheduled at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ABC/ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
Tickets for the game will go on sale at 1 p.m. ET Friday through Seatgeek.com for Rams season ticket holders and then, for the general public, at 3 p.m. ET. More information on ticket sales will be provided as soon as possible, per the league.
