Hazardous air quality stemming from nearly 900 active wildfires in Canada has led to the rescheduling of at least two professional sports games in the U.S. Midwest and Northeast. Thick smoke blanketed major cities, prompting advisories for residents to stay indoors and wear masks when venturing outside.
The Chicago Fire's Major League Soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps, which was slated for Thursday, was postponed due to the poor air quality. Similarly, the Philadelphia Phillies announced that their Major League Baseball game against the New York Mets, originally scheduled for the evening, was moved up by an hour.
Last year, three MLB games in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. were also postponed due to air quality concerns related to wildfires. Officials are monitoring the situation, with some expectation that air quality could improve in time for the World Cup final scheduled for Sunday at nearby MetLife Stadium.
In Philadelphia, the air quality was deemed "unhealthy." The Phillies' home stadium, Citizens Bank Park, experienced hazy conditions. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill directed NJ Transit and the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to make masks available to commuters at rest areas along the Turnpike and Parkway.
During a National Women’s Soccer League game at Citi Field in New York, which saw a record attendance for women's sports in the city, players expressed concern about competing in the conditions. Washington Spirit player Trinity Rodman noted that the necessity for frequent hydration breaks indicated the games should not have been played, though she acknowledged the difficulty of the situation given the large attendance and event atmosphere.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani advised residents to seek cool environments and stay hydrated.