As the Los Angeles wildfires wreak havoc across Southern California, the NFL announced that it has prepared contingencies to move Monday’s Minnesota Vikings–Los Angeles Rams game to Arizona.
The Vikings-Rams game is scheduled for Monday, January 13 at 5:00 PM Pacific (8:00 PM Eastern) at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. It is the final game of the wild card round that is set to begin on Saturday.
A league spokesman said that the NFL “continues” to prepare to play the Vikings-Rams game as scheduled Monday night at SoFi Stadium,” but could move it to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, “in the event a change in location is needed.”
SoFi Stadium Doesn’t Have a Retractable Roof
SoFi Stadium does not have a retractable roof. It features a unique canopy-style roof that offers protection from the sun and rain, but remains open on its sides.
Though the stadium is designed to manage wind flow, it is not protected from smoke like a completely covered stadium, potentially impacting air quality for fans, players, and all others in attendance.
Tonight’s NHL game between the Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena has been postponed. Multiple Hollywood studios, including CBS, Disney, and NBC Universal, have shut down due to the fires.
The Chargers Are in the Clear
The Los Angeles Chargers have also made it to the playoffs, but they are on the road, playing the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Saturday afternoon.
(A full NFL wild card round schedule is available here.)
What’s Causing the California Wildfires?
Strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts as high as 100 miles per hour, and low humidity have triggered wildfires in the Los Angeles area this week.
Southern California has seen little rain over the past eight months. Most of Los Angeles County is in moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The fires have taken at least two lives and displaced over 70,000 people. More than 1,000 structures, including residential homes, have been destroyed, and tens of thousands more remain at risk.
Globely News covers the game changers transforming the worlds of business, sports, politics, and technology. From AI and electric vehicles to the rise of China and the NFL's next stars, we've got you covered.