NFL Playoff Game Moved Out of Los Angeles as Wildfires Impact Sports World

The National Football League has moved one of its playoff games out of Los Angeles County because of the multiple wirefires burning across the region.

The NFL announced late Thursday afternoon that the Los Angeles Rams’ home game against the Minnesota Vikings, scheduled for Monday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, would be moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the home of the Arizona Cardinals.

The decision was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the NFLPA. It’s been 22 years since the NFL had to move a 2003 playoff game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, due to wildfires.

Roughly 180,000 people are under evacuation orders, and the fires have consumed about 45 square miles. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive in Los Angeles’ history. Three major fires were burning in areas of Los Angeles following two days of extraordinary winds. A major threat broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, but had been contained by Thursday morning.

The NHL has postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ home game on Wednesday against Calgary and the NBA postponed Thursday’s game for the Los Angeles Lakers at home against Charlotte.

The date for the rescheduled games will be announced at a later time. The Kings said tickets for their postponed game against Calgary will be good for the rescheduled date.

“Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community,” the Kings said in a statement. “We appreciate the hard working first responders who are diligently working to contain the fire and protect our community. We appreciate the league’s support in keeping our fans, staff, and players safe.”

The Lakers posted a message on their X account saying, “We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable tragedy. And our gratitude is with the first responders and all of you who come together when we need each other the most.” Tickets for the game will be honored at the rescheduled time.

The Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers both train in areas not threatened by fires, but both teams are monitoring the air quality and its potential impact on their workouts.

The Chargers are at Houston for a playoff game Saturday, but the team did change its practice schedule to minimize players’ outdoor time in El Segundo due to poor air quality that reached up to 185 on the air quality index. The Rams’ headquarters are in Woodland Hills, located about 13 miles north of fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades but separated by the Santa Monica Mountains.

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard left the team before its game in Denver on Wednesday due to what the team described as “personal reasons.” Leonard bought a house in Pacific Palisades, which has been hit the hardest in recent days, in 2021.

“You definitely have to take care of home. … Totally had my support 100%,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said. “Going back, checking on his family and kids, making sure they’re well. And he got back, and they’re doing OK, so just happy and thankful for that.”

The Pepperdine women’s basketball team also postponed its home game scheduled for Thursday against the University of Portland at Firestone Field House on the school’s Malibu campus, the West Coast Conference announced. In the Big West Conference, all games will go on as scheduled; the only conference school in the L.A. area is Cal State-Northridge which is scheduled to host Cal-Irvine.