NFL and college football teams, along with much of Florida and beyond, are bracing for Hurricane Ian.
Ian — a Category 3 hurricane which hit Cuba Tuesday with sustained winds of 125 mph — is forecast to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast some time on Wednesday.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved their operations and practices to Miami, and the NFL is considering moving Sunday night’s game against the Chiefs from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to a neutral site.
ESPN reported the league is looking at an NFL stadium in the midwest that won’t be in use on Sunday. Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium is one candidate if the game needs to be moved.
Ian has already caused college football to adjust.
- Eastern Washington at Florida, originally scheduled for Saturday, will instead be played on Sunday.
- East Carolina at South Florida was moved from Raymond James Stadium to FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, the opposite coast of Florida where Ian is forecast to hit.
- South Carolina State at South Carolina has been rescheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, when the remnants of Ian are forecast to hit the state.
- SMU at UCF has been moved back a day to Sunday.
“Based on the current forecast and expected weather conditions as well as information from our campus, state and local law enforcement agencies, at this time, the University is confident in our ability to host the game on Thursday at Williams-Brice Stadium,” South Carolina Athletics Director Ray Tanner said in a statement.
Ian has affected the NHL preseason, too: The Carolina Hurricanes at Tampa Bay Lightning game has been moved back a day to Thursday.
