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Bills to open Highmark Stadium Week 2 against Lions

By Thomson Reuters May 11, 2026 | 11:38 PM

The NFL announced Monday the Buffalo Bills will play their first home game at newly constructed Highmark ​Stadium on Sept 17, Week 2 ‌of the 2026 season, against the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football.

The game will stream exclusively on Prime Video but will be made ‌available ​locally in Buffalo on ⁠a channel to ⁠be determined.

The $2.1 billion facility is open-air but has a canopy covering 64% of the crowd, according to ESPN. The Bills ​will be playing on grass, which can be heated, instead of turf, ⁠and the first row ⁠on one of the sidelines ​will be moved 54 feet closer to ​the field.

Highmark Stadium will be open for ‌events this summer, including Buffalo’s Blue & Red practice during training camp.

The Bills played at their previous home, originally named ⁠Rich Stadium, since 1973. It was re-named Highmark Stadium in 2021. Buffalo has won its last ⁠four ‌home openers.

The Bills went 12-5 ⁠last season, losing to the Broncos ​in ‌overtime during the AFC Divisional ​Playoffs. Detroit ⁠missed the playoffs, finishing 9-8.

The NFL’s full 2026 schedule will be released at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday during a two-hour special on ESPN and NFL Network.

–Field ​Level Media