The Buffalo Bills officially christen Highmark Stadium on Thursday night, hosting the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football in the venue’s first regular-season game. The $2.1 billion facility, which broke ground in May 2023, seats 60,108—roughly 10,000 fewer than the team’s previous home—and arrives engineered specifically for Western New York winters.
Highmark Stadium built for Buffalo weather
The stadium includes a natural grass field with underground heating coils to prevent freezing, what the team calls the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system that automatically monitors and melts accumulations using roof sensors, and a 360-degree canopy covering 60% of the seating bowl to reduce wind impact.
A look back at notable NFL stadium openers
As Buffalo opens its new home, here is a retrospective of opening games at currently active NFL stadiums.
Allegiant Stadium — Las Vegas Raiders (2020)
Less than a year after their final game in Oakland, the Raiders debuted at the $2 billion, 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football. The coronavirus pandemic meant zero fans in attendance. Las Vegas fell behind the New Orleans Saints 10–0 in the first quarter before outscoring them 34–14 the rest of the way. Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns; tight end Darren Waller caught 12 passes for 105 yards and a score.
SoFi Stadium — Los Angeles Rams & Chargers (2020)
Built at a cost exceeding $5 billion, SoFi Stadium is the world’s most expensive sports venue. The 3.1-million-square-foot, 70,000-seat stadium (expandable to 100,000) hosted separate debuts for its two tenants with contrasting results.
The Rams opened on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys, winning a back-and-forth game 20–17. A week later, the Chargers lost in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs. That game marked quarterback Justin Herbert’s NFL debut; he threw for 311 yards with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown, joining Cam Newton and Otto Graham as the only quarterbacks to reach 300 passing yards and a rushing score in their first game.
Levi’s Stadium — San Francisco 49ers (2014)
After over 40 years at Candlestick Park, the 49ers moved into the $1.3 billion, 68,500-seat Levi’s Stadium. The Chicago Bears spoiled the opener, scoring 21 unanswered fourth-quarter points to win 28–20. Colin Kaepernick threw consecutive fourth-quarter interceptions that led to Chicago touchdowns, and San Francisco’s final possession ended on a turnover on downs with 6:55 remaining.
MetLife Stadium — New York Giants & Jets (2010)
The former Giants Stadium tenants moved in together. The Giants opened against the Carolina Panthers—who had beaten them in the final game at the old venue—in front of just under 80,000 fans. New York reversed the result, winning 31–18 behind three touchdown passes from Eli Manning.
The next night, the Jets faced the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football. Fresh off a conference championship appearance, New York lost a low-scoring 10–9 affair.
AT&T Stadium — Dallas Cowboys (2009)
Dubbed “Jerry’s World,” the $1.2 billion palace opened as a spectacle with over 100,000 attendees. Celebrities included former President George W. Bush, who performed the coin toss, and LeBron James, who threw a football on the field. The massive jumbotron and fireworks debuted on Sunday Night Football.
The New York Giants were unfazed. After Dallas took a 31–30 lead with over three minutes left, New York drove for a game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired. Eli Manning signed the visiting locker room wall afterward, writing the date, final score, and “first win in the new stadium.”
NRG Stadium — Houston Texans (2002)
The NFL’s most recent expansion team opened its stadium on Sunday Night Football against the Cowboys before just under 70,000 fans. No. 1 overall pick David Carr scored 75 seconds into the game, igniting the crowd. Houston never trailed en route to a 19–10 victory, becoming the first expansion team to win its debut since 1961.
