The National Football League has announced that the Vikings-Rams Wild Card game has been moved to Arizona due to wildfires in southern California, citing public safety concerns. The game, originally scheduled to be played at SOFi Stadium in Los Angeles, will now take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on the same day. The decision was made in consultation with public officials, participating clubs, and the NFLPA. Tickets will go on sale on Friday through Seatgeek.com.
The move comes as several major fires continue to burn in the Los Angeles metroplex, with at least 180,000 people under evacuation orders and significant damages reported. The Rams have canceled player media availability as the area remains at a high risk for fires through Friday.
Relocations are rare in the NFL, with past instances including moving a game between the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers in 2003 due to wildfires, and relocating a Rams game from Mexico City to Los Angeles in 2018 due to concerns about the playing surface.
Arizona is home to several professional sports teams, with Phoenix hosting major sporting events such as college football’s Fiesta Bowl, NASCAR events, and Cactus League Spring Training. The move of the Vikings-Rams game to Arizona will allow fans to enjoy the game in a safe environment.
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