The Buffalo Bills’ $2.1 billion new stadium will open its doors for the first time against the Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff and Co. for the upcoming regular-season game, making them the first team to play at the Bills’ new home.

On May 12, the NFL on Prime Video announced on X that the Thursday Night Football matchup between the Lions and the Bills is scheduled at the New Highmark Stadium in New York during Week 2 of the upcoming season.

“Lions vs. Bills in the FIRST-EVER game at the new Highmark Stadium. #TNFonPrime starts off with a banger on Sept 17,” the caption read.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the matchup ahead of the full 2026 NFL schedule release on his Instagram.

Up until now, the Buffalo Bills had hosted their home games at the original Orchard Park stadium for over 50 years. Now, they're ready to move on to. The stadium, designed by Populous, is located just a few hundred yards away from the previous one.

The Detroit Lions have the honor of being the first team to face the Bills in their new stadium.

The stadium is an open-air venue with 60,108 seats, expandable to around 66,000 for major events, and, according to Tradeline, it features two giant video boards, a modern sound system, broadcast facilities, food stands, kitchens, and team shops.

In some sections, especially the north end zone, fans will be seated only about 12 feet above the field.

“We're excited to continue to provide a sensory-inclusive stadium experience for our fans at Highmark Stadium and are humbled to now have seven sensory rooms for fans to utilize,” Rutkowski previously said.

The franchise also included seven sensory rooms in the new Highmark Stadium for autistic fans, according to the Bills’ senior director of guest experience, Zach Rutkowski.

The stadium still has some final construction work remaining, but it is expected to open in June before the regular season starts.

Where Do the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions Stand Heading Into The Match-Up?

The Detroit Lions have lost to the Buffalo Bills five straight times. Their last win over the Bills came back in 2006.

So, the Week 2 matchup will definitely prove to be interesting, along with the fact that the Lions will make history by playing against the Bills in the new Highmark Stadium.

The Lions will be keen on a victory early on after finishing last in the NFC North with a 9–8 record.

They finished the 2024 season with a 15–2 record, earning first place in the NFC North and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, but could not carry that performance into the next season.

The Bills pulled off a massive postseason breakthrough during the 2025 season, edging the Jaguars 27-24 in the Wild Card round on the road. It marked Sean McDermott’s first road playoff win as Buffalo’s head coach and the franchise’s first such postseason victory since 1992.

They finished 2025 with a 12–5 record but lost to the Denver Broncos 33–30 in overtime in the Divisional Round, which ended their run before the AFC Championship Game. Now, without their veteran head coach, they'll be excited to start a new journey for their first Lombardi trophy.

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Monika Khatai

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote