LOS ANGELES — In response to the urgent situation caused by recent wildfires, the NFL has decided to relocate the Los Angeles Rams’ upcoming playoff match against the Minnesota Vikings. This wild-card game will now take place on Monday night at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, situated nearly 400 miles from the Rams’ usual home at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
This decision was made after a significant fire ignited just a few miles from the Rams’ training facility in Woodland Hills, which is approximately 13 miles away from the wildfire-affected Pacific Palisades area. Although the fires were not directly threatening the stadium located southwest of downtown Los Angeles, the NFL opted for this precautionary measure due to concerns regarding air quality and whether the local community could accommodate such a large event amidst the crisis.
The Los Angeles metropolitan area is facing the wrath of numerous massive wildfires, exacerbated by two consecutive days of strong winds. A particularly concerning fire emerged in the Hollywood Hills area, which lies close to the entertainment industry’s core, although it was reportedly contained by Thursday morning.
Currently, at least 180,000 individuals are under evacuation orders, with these wildfires ravaging about 45 square miles — a territory roughly comparable to San Francisco in size. The ongoing Palisades Fire is notable for being the most devastating in Los Angeles’ history.
On Thursday, the Rams conducted a practice session but decided to cancel media engagements for players, allowing them to return home swiftly due to safety concerns. According to the National Weather Service, the fire risk in the Los Angeles area is expected to remain elevated through Friday.
Such relocations are infrequent in the NFL, with notable past instances including a game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers moved to Arizona in 2003 due to wildfires. Additionally, a 2018 matchup involving the Rams against the Kansas City Chiefs had to be relocated from Mexico City to Los Angeles because of issues with the playing surface at Azteca Stadium.
In addition to the NFL changes, the NBA postponed the Los Angeles Lakers’ home game against the Charlotte Hornets that was scheduled for Thursday. This follows another postponement of a game involving the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, who were set to play against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. Rescheduled dates for these matches have yet to be determined, but the Kings have assured fans that tickets will remain valid for the new dates.
Steve Kerr, the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, shared that his 90-year-old mother was among the thousands who have lost their homes to the ongoing fires.
In college basketball, the West Coast Conference has also put a hold on women’s basketball games planned for Thursday at Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount. The game at Pepperdine was planned to occur in Malibu, but the campus has restricted access and canceled classes due to the fires. Loyola Marymount’s matchup against San Diego was postponed as a precaution because of air quality concerns at Gersten Pavilion, which is currently under renovation.
In the realm of horse racing, Santa Anita Park has postponed its Friday racing schedule until January 16 due to poor air quality forecasts in the Arcadia region, close to the Eaton Fire. The California Horse Racing Board approved the rescheduling, stating that previously entered horses would participate in the rescheduled races. Track officials emphasized their commitment to community well-being, providing protective masks and eyewear to all workers due to the smoke affecting Los Angeles County.
As for golf, the PGA Tour has yet to determine whether the Genesis Invitational will proceed at Riviera Country Club, set for mid-February. Riviera, which is scheduled to host golf during the 2028 Olympics, is located in the Pacific Palisades area currently under evacuation orders. Despite the fire not directly impacting the course, the logistical demands for setting up for tournaments, including hospitality arrangements, have complicated decisions.
In soccer news, Ali Riley, a defender for Angel City FC and member of the New Zealand national team, shared that her family’s home was lost in the Palisades Fire. On social media, she posted an emotional tribute alongside an image of the devastated neighborhood, reflecting on memories made there just days before the disaster.
