The Rams will play a “home” playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings Monday — but it will take place at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, after the NFL moved the contest from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood due to the wildfire crisis in the Southland.
State Farm Stadium is the home of the Arizona Cardinals. The wild-card round game will be televised at 5 p.m. on ESPN, ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
The Rams announced Monday they will use the game “to bring LA Together and uplift and represent their city in Arizona.”
Pregame elements will begin with retired offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth, a member of the Rams’ Super Bowl LVI-winning team, addressing the crowd “with a special message to Los Angeles,” according to the team.
Rachel Platten will sing the 2015 song she wrote, “Fight Song,” while a 200-foot LA Together banner drops down on the sideline as her backdrop prior to player introductions. Platten also will sing the national anthem. Both performances will be broadcast live.
The Arizona Cardinals Flag Crew will join Rams’ mascot Rampage and run out on the field with LA Together flags to show their support for the city.
The field will have the LA monogram at the 50-yard line and LA Together royal blue wraps around the lower bowl.
NFC West champion royal blue rally towels will be placed on each seat. Rams’ public address announcer Sam Lagana, in-game guitarist Nita Strauss, DJ DJ Skee and in-stadium hosts Kristen Watson and Camryn Irwin will perform their customary home game duties.
The team offered free transportation for 1,500 select season-ticket holders on charter buses to and from State Farm Stadium. The buses departed from SoFi Stadium on Monday morning and will return after the game.
Rams players, coaches and staff will wear custom Los Angeles Fire Department shirts and hats with the Rams monogram on them. The Rams LAFD shirts and hats will be available for sale at State Farm Stadium and online at www.RamsFanShop.com.
All profits from the sales will be granted to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation and American Red Cross to support local firefighters and those impacted by the wildfires, according to the team.
Game-worn jerseys and select game-used footballs will be auctioned off on NFL Auction with proceeds going to the support American Red Cross, the team announced Friday.
“Thank You Firefighters” and “Thank You First Responders,” banners will be up in the south end zone.
Fans will be able to donate $5, $10 and $20 to American Red Cross at concession stands.
During every home game, the Rams operate a 50/50 raffle, in which the winner receives half of the jackpot total from the ticket sales and the other half benefits the Los Angeles Rams Foundation. For Monday’s game, the 50% that benefits the Los Angeles Rams Foundation will be donated to the LAFD Foundation and American Red Cross.
Running back Kyren Williams, the Rams Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, has chosen the LAFD Foundation as the beneficiary of the $25,000 he received as a nominee to be donated to a nonprofit organization of his choice.
According to a statement from the NFL last week, the decision to move the game “was made in consultation with public officials, the participating clubs and the (National Football League Players’ Association).”
Rams season-ticket holders were able to purchase tickets for the relocated game starting at 10 a.m. Friday through Seatgeek.com. Tickets for the general public went on sale at noon Friday.
Ticket holders for the game at SoFi Stadium will receive either a refund or a credit toward their season tickets next season, according to the Rams.
On Friday, the Rams announced support for the LAFD Foundation and the American Red Cross during the unprecedented series of devastating wildfires.
The Kroenke family, owners of the Rams, is making a $1 million donation to benefit the LAFD Foundation through the Kroenke Family Foundation. The LAFD Foundation helps both the Los Angeles county and city fire departments.
“On behalf of our family and the Los Angeles Rams, our thoughts are with everyone affected by the unfathomable fires and destruction,” the Kroenke family said in a statement.
“We are beyond grateful for the tireless efforts of our first responders who continue to protect our community as well as individuals who continue to help our neighbors in need. We know there are both immediate and long-term needs and our family and the Rams are committed to doing our part to support recovery efforts now and into the months and years ahead.”
In addition to the Kroenke’s donation, the Chargers, Houston Texans, Minnesota Vikings and the NFL Foundation joined in the Rams in each donating $1 million to help deliver vital resources to local organizations supporting those affected by the wildfires.
Fans looking to join the Rams in supporting the fire relief efforts may also donate to American Red Cross directly or to LAFD Foundation at supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812.