Bills Prepare For First Preseason Game At New $2.1 Billion Highmark Stadium On

Bills to Christen New $2.1 Billion Highmark Stadium Saturday Against Panthers

The Buffalo Bills will open their new home venue this weekend, hosting the Carolina Panthers in the first preseason game at the $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium. The Bills host the Carolina Panthers in the first preseason game of the 2026-27 season at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15.

Saturday's game will be the first contest at the Bills' new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, which replaces the team's longtime home next door in Orchard Park.

A New Era at Highmark

The new stadium has a capacity of 60,108 spectators, more than 10,000 fewer than the Bills' previous home. Despite the reduced seating, the venue was designed to offer greater comfort, better weather protection and one of the most intense atmospheres in the NFL. Notably, fan comfort is prioritized with 65% covered seating, the largest roof snowmelt system, under-field heating for the natural grass, and infrared heaters under seating decks.

The stadium's official opening drew significant attention, as the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Bills owner Terry Pegula, Mary Wilson – widow of former Bills owner Ralph Wilson Jr. – and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Fans got their first taste of the venue during last week's Blue and Red practice, when more than 51,000 fans packed into Highmark Stadium for their first glimpse of the building — and their first look at the new-look Bills.

The stadium debut has not been without controversy, however. Following the open practice, the new stadium came under early criticism after fans attending the first public practice reported widespread obstructed views. The Bills organization has acknowledged the concerns, stating it will use "the next six weeks to refine any details" leading up to the Bills' regular-season home opener against Detroit on Sept. 17.

Game Details

Saturday's matchup will be head coach Joe Brady's first game at the new venue, with Joe Brady the new head coach of the Bills, and the first game in Highmark Stadium being played this weekend . Brady emphasized wanting players focused on football rather than the spectacle, noting the atmosphere at last week's practice was "incredible" but that for the game, "it's another preseason game for the guys being in front of the fans."

The Panthers enter with early preseason momentum, having launched into the preseason with a 33-30 victory over Arizona on Aug. 6 at the Hall of Fame Game, though that win came at a cost as quarterback Haynes King suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to miss time. Carolina starter Bryce Young and the first-team offense are expected to see action Saturday.

Buffalo's roster features returning stars Josh Allen, James Cook III, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Bradley Chubb, among others, as the team begins preseason evaluations ahead of the regular-season opener at Houston.

Broadcast coverage will air locally, with Andrew Catalon, Steve Tasker and Maddy Glab calling the game on WIVB, and Chris Brown and Eric Wood on 97 Rock radio.