Rams-Vikings Wild Card game relocated to Arizona due to Los Angeles wildfires

Emergency Alert sent to millions by mistake

Local emergency management officials said the alert was intended only for residents near the Kenneth Fire that erupted Thursday afternoon near West Hills.

LOS ANGELES - The NFL announced that Monday’s Wild Card game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams will be relocated to Arizona for public safety concerns caused by the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.

The game will take place at its originally scheduled time of 8 p.m. ET and will be televised on ESPN, ABC, and ESPN+.

Safety concerns prompt relocation

The decision to move the game comes as Los Angeles battles multiple wildfires that have scorched tens of thousands of acres and forced widespread evacuations. Officials cited the proximity of the fires to critical infrastructure and public safety as key reasons for the relocation.

Arizona hosts the matchup

The game will now be played at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, marking a significant shift for the Rams, who had been preparing for the matchup at their home field, SoFi Stadium.

Smoke from the recent fires obscures the sun at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

This isn’t the first time wildfires in California have forced the relocation of an NFL game. In 2003, the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers faced off at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, due to similar circumstances.