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The Buffalo Bills' new Highmark Stadium, situated at 10 Bills Plaza, officially opened its doors after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 23, marking the culmination of a four-year project. The facility, which replaces the team's former home across Abbott Road, comes with a hefty price tag of approximately $2.2 billion, with contributions of $600 million from New York state and $250 million from Erie County. Demolition of the old stadium is still underway.
The first fan-attended event at the new venue is scheduled for August 8 at 7 p.m., when the Bills host their annual Return of the Blue and Red scrimmage. This event, typically open to the public, will be restricted to personal seat license (PSL) holders, who have purchased licenses for over 90% of the seats. Following the scrimmage, an open practice for all fans will take place on August 18 at 8:30 a.m., with tickets available via Ticketmaster starting July 21 (limited to four per order). The preseason opener against Carolina is set for August 15 at 1 p.m., and the first regular-season game will be a Thursday Night Football matchup against Detroit on September 11 at 8:15 p.m., broadcast on Prime Video.
Design and Seating Bowl
Bills owner Terry Pegula cited Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London as an inspiration for the new Highmark Stadium's design. The seating bowl is steeper and taller, rising about 120 feet, and places fans closer to the action compared to the old venue. The capacity is reduced to 60,108 seats from the previous 71,608, but the concourses are more open, improving sightlines and reducing congestion. The playing surface is natural Kentucky Bluegrass, a departure from artificial turf, and it is equipped with a heating and irrigation system to handle snow and maintain optimal conditions.
Canopy, Parking, and Fan Comfort
A 360-degree steel canopy covers about 64% of the seating bowl, designed to shield fans from weather while also trapping crowd noise and directing it toward the field. Atop the canopy is the world's largest stadium snow-melt system. The exterior features a perforated metal facade engineered to deflect wind based on regional patterns. Radiant heating in seating and concourses aims to keep fans warm in cold weather. Parking lots have been expanded for more tailgating space, and entryways are streamlined for faster security screening.
Clubs, Premium Seating, and Amenities
Highmark Stadium reflects Buffalo's local culture with nearly 50 locations featuring artwork and murals, including a hanging sculpture in the M&T Lounge. Premium options include the Founders Club, an all-inclusive space with heated seats, private whiskey lockers, and prime sideline views; the Field Club, offering access to a field-level patio behind the Bills' sideline and a climate-controlled view of the players' tunnel; and the East Club, a 50,000-square-foot climate-controlled area with interior field visibility. Outside, the Family Circle plaza features three large bison statues, a Bills Legend Wall, and displays celebrating Western New York history.
Sensory Rooms and Accessibility
The stadium sets a world record with seven sensory rooms, the most of any venue globally, developed in partnership with KultureCity, a nonprofit focused on sensory accessibility. These spaces are designed to provide calming environments, with input from Kaleida Health, Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo, and the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism. Information about these rooms will be available at guest experience booths on game days.
PSLs, Tickets, and Future Events
PSLs are sold out, but fans can join a priority list with a refundable $150 deposit. Ticket prices for the 2026 season are steep, with the cheapest listing for the September 17 opener against Detroit at $605 and the Thanksgiving game against Kansas City at $423, as of July 14. Beyond Bills games, the stadium could host concerts, outdoor NHL games, corporate events, weddings, and even a future NFL Draft. The old stadium hosted 13 concerts in its final decade and the first NHL Winter Classic in 2008.
Originally reported by yahoo.