Playoff football is all about passion, home-field advantage, and the roar of loyal fans. But this year, Mother Nature has thrown the NFL a curveball, forcing the league to make a rare move. Devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have pushed the Rams to relocate their wild-card showdown with the Minnesota Vikings to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This move makes it only the second time in NFL history that the league has relocated a playoff game.
Here’s everything you need to know about the relocation and the unusual history of playoff game venue changes.
Why Was the Rams-Vikings Game Moved?
Deadly wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area forced the NFL to prioritize safety and relocate Monday night’s game between the Rams and Vikings. The teams had originally planned to clash in SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
“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 league said in a statement. The decision came after consulting public officials, the participating teams, and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA).
The @NFL has announced that due to the ongoing wildfires in southern California, Monday night's Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams will be played in Arizona.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) January 10, 2025
📰: https://t.co/yWbkx3PYk7 pic.twitter.com/nu88A0auQd
The wildfires, which have ravaged the region, displaced thousands and caused significant damage to homes and businesses. With air quality worsening and emergency personnel stretched thin, keeping the game in Los Angeles was simply too risky.
The relocation follows a similar pattern seen in other sports, with both the NBA and NHL postponing games in the area due to fire-related concerns. High-profile figures like Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick lost their homes, and even Rams personnel have been affected.
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Where Will the Game Be Played?
Instead of playing in their state-of-the-art home stadium, the Rams will host the Vikings at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals’ home field has plenty of playoff experience, having hosted multiple Super Bowls, most recently in 2023.
While the Rams lose their home-field advantage, the neutral location offers a safe alternative for players, fans, and staff. Glendale’s retractable-roof stadium ensures ideal conditions for the high-stakes wild-card matchup.
Also Read: Rams-Vikings Game Moved As Devastating Fires Continue To Spread Across California
How Rare Is an NFL Playoff Game Relocation?
The NFL’s decision to move the Vikings-Rams game is extremely unusual. In fact, the league has relocated a playoff game only twice in its 105-season history.
The first instance dates all the way back to 1936, during the NFL Championship Game between the Boston Redskins (now Washington Commanders) and the Green Bay Packers. The league moved that game from Boston’s Fenway Park to New York’s Polo Grounds, but not for safety reasons. Instead, poor ticket sales prompted Boston owner George Preston Marshall to relocate the game to a venue with better fan turnout.
Two playoff games in NFL history have been moved to a new city, per @NFLPlus:
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 10, 2025
1936: Boston Redskins and Green Bay Packers NFL Championship Game, from Boston to New York.
2025: Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams wild-card game, from L.A. to Glendale, Ariz.
The Packers ultimately won the championship 21-6, their fourth NFL title and first under a formal playoff system. Ironically, the game’s relocation foreshadowed a larger move for the Boston franchise, which became the Washington Redskins the following season.
Unlike the 1936 move, Monday’s relocation stems from public safety concerns, not financial motivations.
NFL and the Elements: A History of Adjustments
While relocating playoff games is rare, the NFL has dealt with Mother Nature plenty of times. Hurricanes, snowstorms, and other weather events have forced game postponements or relocations during the regular season.
For instance, Hurricane Katrina displaced the New Orleans Saints in 2005, leading to a full season of games played away from the Superdome. Similarly, snowstorms have occasionally postponed games for a day or two, like last year’s wild-card matchup between the Steelers and Bills.
The league’s resilience in the face of such challenges reflects its commitment to prioritizing safety while keeping the games alive for fans.
Impact on the Rams and Vikings
The venue change adds another layer of adversity for the Rams, who were already dealing with the emotional and logistical chaos caused by the wildfires. Rams head coach Sean McVay revealed that the disaster directly affected some team personnel.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everybody that's been affected by these fires." -HC Sean McVay pic.twitter.com/sVYxeDgdCC
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 9, 2025
For the Vikings, the move may offer a slight advantage. Without the intimidating crowd at SoFi Stadium, the neutral-site game could level the playing field.
However, both teams will need to focus on the task at hand: advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
What’s Next?
The Los Angeles Rams vs. Minnesota Vikings wild-card game kicks off Monday night at State Farm Stadium. While the circumstances are far from ideal, both teams will undoubtedly bring their best to the field.
For fans, the game serves as a reminder of the power of sports to unite and provide a sense of normalcy, even in the face of devastating natural disasters. As the NFL navigates yet another challenge, one thing remains clear: the show must go on.
