The Buffalo Bills are preparing to begin a new era in 2026 with the opening of their new stadium in Orchard Park, New York.
The Buffalo Bills’ first game at the new Highmark Stadium is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, when the Bills host the Carolina Panthers in an NFL preseason matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET.
The game will mark the first opportunity for Bills fans to watch their team play a football game inside the franchise’s new home.
Buffalo Bills First Game at New Stadium
Here are the key details for the first Bills game at the new stadium:
Game: Carolina Panthers vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Saturday, August 15, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Orchard Park, New York
Stadium: New Highmark Stadium
Game type: NFL preseason
The Panthers-Bills matchup will serve as the stadium’s football debut before Buffalo begins its 2026 regular-season home schedule.
When Does the Buffalo Bills’ New Stadium Open?
The Bills’ new Highmark Stadium opens for NFL game action during the 2026 preseason.
Buffalo’s August 15 matchup against Carolina represents a major milestone for the franchise as it transitions from the team’s longtime home to its new stadium in Orchard Park.
The new venue was constructed next to the Bills’ previous stadium and is designed specifically around the Buffalo Bills and their game-day experience.
What Is the First Regular-Season Game at New Highmark Stadium?
While the Panthers matchup will be the first preseason game played at the new stadium, the Bills’ first regular-season game at New Highmark Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026.
Buffalo will host the Detroit Lions in a Thursday Night Football matchup, with kickoff scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET.
That game will represent the official regular-season debut of the Bills’ new home and is expected to be one of the most anticipated games on Buffalo’s 2026 schedule.
Bills First Regular-Season Home Game at New Stadium
Game: Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Orchard Park, New York
Stadium: New Highmark Stadium
Game type: NFL regular season
The nationally featured matchup will give the Bills an opportunity to officially open their new stadium under the lights.
A New Era for the Buffalo Bills
The opening of New Highmark Stadium represents one of the biggest changes in Buffalo Bills franchise history.
After decades of playing at their previous home in Orchard Park, the Bills will enter the 2026 season with a modern stadium built specifically for the franchise and its fan base.
The transition begins on August 15 against the Carolina Panthers, when the first football game is played at the new venue.
The bigger celebration will arrive on September 17, when the Bills host the Detroit Lions for the stadium’s first NFL regular-season game.
For Bills fans, the 2026 season won’t simply mark the beginning of another pursuit of the Super Bowl. It will mark the beginning of an entirely new era in Orchard Park.