Wildfires in Canada have had an adverse affect in the Midwest and Northeast, thus affecting some sporting contests.On Thursday, a Major League Soccer game was postponed, while an MLB game in Philadelphia had to be moved up an hour due to concerns.With the unofficial second half of the Major League Baseball season underway on Friday, five games were slated to be played in affected areas, with several making some logistical changes.CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COMCitizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, during a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets on July 16, 2026.The Mets defeated the Phillies 4-1.
(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Here are the updates from the games.The Yankees postponed a game in 2023 due to poor air quality, although at that time, it was more than double the 150-ish range it has been this week.The quality in New York improved throughout the day, and the game is slated to be played.Of course, the Blue Jays play in the country where the wildfires have originated, prompting concern.The city had hazardous levels on Thursday night but reached "low health risk" by Friday afternoon.
However, nearby cities in Ontario still had high health risk levels in the afternoon.Thankfully, the Blue Jays play under a retractable roof at Rogers Centre, and the team announced shortly after 1 p.m.ET that the roof would be closed due to the air quality.The Blue Jays say that if a game begins with the roof closed, "it may still be opened before the end of the sixth inning if the Umpire Crew Chief and MLB officials agree the weather has turned in a way that will ensure fan comfort and enjoyment." Typically, the roof can change its status only once per game.A general view of Citizens Bank Park during hazy conditions from wildfires in Canada in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The game between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies was postponed because of unsafe air quality.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)FIFA, WHITE HOUSE MONITORING IMPACT OF C...