The Buffalo Bills will officially debut their new Highmark Stadium on September 17, 2026, when they host the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the NFL season. This matchup will be the third head-to-head meeting between the two teams in the last five years.
The Thursday night showcase marks a rematch from 2024, where Buffalo secured a 48-42 victory. The Bills finished the 2025 season with a 12-5 record, while the Lions ended at 9-8 and missed the playoffs. The full 2026 NFL schedule will be released on May 14.
Construction on the new Highmark Stadium has been underway since June 2023. The previous Highmark Stadium stood for 53 years, making it the fourth longest-tenured venue in the NFL, behind only Chicago’s Soldier Field (1924), Green Bay’s Lambeau Field (1957), and Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium (1972).
The Bills’ era at the old Highmark began and ended with victories over the New York Jets. In 1973, Buffalo won 9-7. Fifty-three years later, the historic stadium closed with a 35-8 triumph over the Jets. Over the years, the venue had multiple names: Rich Stadium (1973–1997), Ralph Wilson Stadium (1998–2015, known as “The Ralph”), New Era Field (2016–2019), Bills Stadium (2020), and finally Highmark Stadium (2021–2025).
The new Highmark Stadium will feature modern amenities and an increased capacity, continuing the legacy of one of the NFL’s most loyal fan bases.