Wildfire Smoke and the Milwaukee Brewers: What You Need to Know

Updated July 17, 2026, 4:56 p.m. CT

What’s Happening with the Smoke?

Imagine big forest fires in Canada sending up a giant cloud of smoke. That smoke has floated down and covered parts of the northern United States, especially the Midwest and the East Coast. Think of it like a messy gray blanket in the sky.

Because the air became yucky and unsafe to breathe, many outdoor activities (like sports or playground time) were canceled.

What About the Brewers Game?

You might be wondering: the Milwaukee Brewers were supposed to play the Miami Marlins starting July 17 at American Family Field. Would the smoke stop the game?

• The stadium has a retractable roof (a roof that can open and close like a giant lid) and adjustable back panels (side pieces that can move a bit).
• These can help keep some smoke out, but the air inside would still be unhealthy to breathe.

Important: Even with the roof and panels, the air quality would stay dangerous.

The Official Decision

At 3:40 p.m. on July 17, the Brewers shared this message:

• Major League Baseball (the big boss of baseball) told them the game vs. the Miami Marlins would happen as planned.
• First pitch (the start of the game) was set for 6:40 p.m.
• The Brewers said: "The health of our fans, staff and players is our highest priority and we will continue to provide an option for fans who prefer to exchange their tickets for another 2026 regular season home game."

Fans can visit brewers.com/GameUpdates for more info.

Also, the American Family Field hotline said the roof will be open for the game.

What the Manager Said

Before the game, Brewers manager Pat Murphy talked like a caring grown-up:

1. He said the health of players, fans, and staff is the top concern.
2. He said they would not "pretend it’s not real" because experts say the smoke is real and people must be safe.
3. He shared he was worried for his kids—one had a game that night. He kept their backyard wiffle ball game short (just two innings) to avoid too much outdoor air.

Other Games Around the Same Time

Not just Milwaukee was dealing with this:

• The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies played their game on July 16 at Citizens Bank Park, but they started one hour earlier than planned.
• A Major League Soccer game in Chicago was postponed (pushed to later).
• Mets and Phillies staff said the smoke was only "moderately inconvenient" for playing, but that does not count the long-term health risks from breathing it.

Will Milwaukee Get a Break?

Good news for Friday night:

• The National Weather Service expected Milwaukee’s air to get a little better on Friday.
• But it was only a short break—the smoke was likely to come back on Saturday.

Important: Friday’s game might be the least smoky of the weekend, but the smoke returns Saturday.

Summary

Smoke from Canadian wildfires covered parts of the U.S. and caused cancellations. The Brewers–Marlins game on July 17 was still played as scheduled with the roof open, though the air stayed unhealthy. Fans could exchange tickets if worried. Other cities adjusted schedules too. Milwaukee got brief relief Friday, but smoke returned Saturday.

FAQ

1. Why didn’t the Brewers cancel the game if the air was bad?
They were told by Major League Baseball to play as scheduled. The stadium has a roof, but air inside was still hazardous. Fans could swap tickets for another game if they wanted.

2. What does "retractable roof" mean?
It is a roof that can slide open or closed, like a giant moving lid on the stadium.

3. Did other sports teams play in the smoke?
Yes. The Mets and Phillies played July 16 but started earlier. A Chicago soccer game was postponed.

4. Is the smoke gone after Friday?
No. Milwaukee air improved briefly Friday, but the smoke was expected to return Saturday.