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Both the Chiefs and Rams came into the game at 9–1. The Chiefs' only loss was to the [[2018 New England Patriots season|New England Patriots]] while the Rams' only loss was to the [[2018 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]. Both teams came in the game with the top 2 highest scoring offenses.
The inter-conference matchup was originally slated to be part of the [[NFL International Series]], and was scheduled to be played at [[Estadio Azteca]] in [[Mexico City]], [[Mexico]] which had hosted games the previous two seasons. However, the playing field was found to be in deficient condition after rains earlier in the month and a heavy event schedule, which had included a [[Shakira]] concert; a soccer tournament match played by [[Cruz Azul]] and one of the multiple events of the left-wing political party, [[Morena (political party)|Morena]]. As League and stadium officials evaluated the scene, pictures of the poor conditions began to circulate on social media. Unable to remedy the situation in time for the game, the [[National Football League|NFL]] announced that the game would be moved to [[Los Angeles]] just six days before the game was to be played.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chiefs-Rams game moved from Mexico City to L.A.|url=http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000987994/article/chiefsrams-game-moved-from-mexico-city-to-la|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFL.com|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=NFL cancels Mexico City trip, moves Chiefs-Rams game to Los Angeles|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/25268527|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures, LLC|website=ESPN.com|language=en|date=November 13, 2018|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/rams/2018/11/13/mexico-city-nfl-game-moved-chiefs-rams/1993162002/|title=NFL moves Chiefs-Rams game from Mexico City to Los Angeles due to poor field conditions|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref> Chiefs CEO [[Clark Hunt]] said "[The move is] 100 percent [about] player safety...",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article221668265.html|title=Clark Hunt says reason for Chiefs-Rams relocation was '100 percent player safety'|last=By|website=kansascity|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref> as the NFL faced pressure from players who reportedly considered sitting out the game rather than risk potential injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/11/13/report-players-seriously-considering-not-playing-in-mexico-city/|title=Report: Some players "seriously considering" not playing in Mexico City|last=Alper|first=Josh|date=2018-11-13|website=ProFootballTalk|language=en|access-date=2019-04-13}}</ref>
League rules required the designated home team (in this case, the [[Los Angeles Rams|Rams]]) to maintain availability of their home stadium as a contingency. Team officials and personnel worked quickly to secure facilities, logistics and event staff for the game, as the Rams were not scheduled to play at the Coliseum again for another month. The cancellation of the game in Mexico City was a disappointment to the NFL and local officials, and in particular to fans of both teams who had spent thousands of dollars for tickets and travel costs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/colossal-shame-anger-mexico-city-loss-nfl-game-235715794.html|title='Colossal Shame,' anger in Mexico City over loss of NFL game|website=sports.yahoo.com}}</ref> Tickets purchased through either the Rams or Chiefs were refunded, and several air carriers offered travel credits for fans who had booked flights.
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