Lightning strikes during sporting events can pose serious risks to both players and fans. In recent years, college football games have been delayed due to nearby lightning, sparking frustration among fans, especially when the sky remains clear. On Sept. 19, 2026, several high-profile games, including Florida State at Alabama, were delayed due to lightning threats. Fans were particularly upset about the Alabama game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where no rain was falling, making the delay seem unnecessary. Lightning-related injuries and fatalities in sports are not uncommon. A meteorologist specializing in lightning safety recorded 262 football-related lightning injuries and deaths in the U.S. from 1970 to 2023. Notable incidents include a 2014 event at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where lightning injured 12 people after an NFL game, and a 2004 incident in Texas where 40 high school football players and coaches were struck during practice. In 2024, a soccer match in Peru resulted in one death and eight injuries due to lightning, and a 1998 soccer game in South Africa saw multiple players injured. Large stadiums are especially vulnerable to lightning dangers due to their open-air design and large crowds. A strike to the stands could send electricity through metal seats, potentially harming many fans. Similarly, a lightning strike to the field could send dangerous ground currents through the turf, risking injury or death to players, coaches, and officials. The risk of lightning delays may increase in the near future. A proposed NCAA rule would move the start of the college football season a week earlier, beginning in 2027. This change would mean more games are played during the peak of the late summer and early fall lightning season, increasing the likelihood of delays. College sports have had lightning safety policies in place for nearly 30 years. These guidelines, first introduced in 1997 and updated regularly in the NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, dictate when to suspend and resume play. A key rule is the “8-mile radius,” which requires game delays if lightning is detected within that range, as lightning can strike up to eight miles from a storm. Fans are advised to seek shelter in areas like stadium concourses, while players leave the field. Another important rule is the “30-minute clock,” which means waiting 30 minutes after the last lightning strike before resuming play, as the threat may still linger. A 2018 study reviewed 136 college football and NFL games delayed by lightning between 2010 and 2015. Half of the delays occurred during games, and most lasted less than 90 minutes. While delays can be frustrating, they are necessary for safety. Lightning can occur before or after rain, making it a poor indicator of danger. Many teams now use dedicated meteorologists with real-time data to monitor conditions and minimize delays. Remember, a game can always be resumed, but lightning injuries can have lifelong consequences.