Step Inside: Highmark Stadium – Home of the Buffalo Bills

Stadium History | Parking & Admission | Seating & Capacity | Food & Concessions

Highmark Stadium, home to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, is located in Orchard Park, New York, a suburb about 10 miles south of downtown Buffalo. The Erie County coliseum holds the distinction of being the only permanent residence of an NFL team in New York, as the New York Giants and New York Jets share MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Opened in 1973 as Rich Stadium, the 71,608-seat, open-air facility has hosted numerous memorable Bills matchups, including the team’s undefeated home playoff game win streak from 1988 to 1996 and the 2017 Snow Bowl game, in which an estimated eight to nine inches of snow fell during an eventual Buffalo win in “Snowvertime” against the Indianapolis Colts. Though the massive outdoor space is almost exclusively used by the Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium has also presented special sporting events, such as the first NHL Winter Classic in 2008 between the hometown Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins, and live performances by The Rolling Stones, U2, Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and more.

As the fourth-oldest stadium in the NFL, Highmark Stadium has remained open thanks to extensive renovations in 1984, 1998 and 2013. The address for Highmark Stadium is 1 Bills Drive.

What events are coming up at Highmark Stadium?

See upcoming events and buy tickets for Highmark Stadium right here on Ticketmaster.

Highmark Stadium History

Highmark Stadium opened as Rich Stadium in 1973, only three years after the American Football League’s Buffalo Bills were admitted into the NFL. The locally headquartered Rich Products retained the facility’s naming rights until 1997, when it was changed to Ralph Wilson Stadium honoring the Bills’ founder and then-presiding owner. Following further rebrands to New Era Field from 2016 to 2019 and Bills Stadium in 2020, the Erie County complex became known as Highmark in 2021 after reaching a naming rights agreement with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.

The 71,608-capacity stadium underwent its first expansions in 1984 and 1992, followed by a major renovation in 1994 that saw the installation of more executive and club seating as well as the largest video scoreboard in the U.S. at the time. Additional multi-million dollar renovations came after in 1998, 2007 and 2013.

Construction of the 62,000-seat, $1.35 billion New Highmark Stadium is underway across the street, and is set to replace the existing Highmark Stadium for the 2026 NFL season. The Buffalo Bills are getting a new stadium in order to meet NFL standards and improve amenities. While the new stadium will not have a roof, it is expected to have a canopy that covers about 65% of the seats.

Parking and Admission at Highmark Stadium

Guests attending Buffalo Bills games should check the team’s website for the most current parking details.

Parking lots open four hours before Bills games and close after traffic clears, which is approximately one hour after the game ends. Day-of stadium parking for Bills games costs $40. The stadium is cashless, so parking passes must be purchased by credit card. Most parking lots at Highmark Stadium allow tailgating, except for the Administrative Lot, Team Member Lot, Training Center Lot, Tunnel Lot and Youth Stadium Lot.

The stadium also offers Bus & Limo parking, which must be purchased in advance by calling the Buffalo Bills Ticket Office at 1-877-228-4257. Buses and limos will be turned away if they arrive on game day without a permit purchased in advance. The stadium offers a tailgating atmosphere for bus and limo passengers in the Tailgate Village within the Bus & Limo Lot.

Highmark Stadium Bag Policy

Highmark Stadium follows the NFL’s bag policy, which allows clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags to be carried into the stadium as long as they don’t exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12.” They also allow small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand, as well as one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags. Additional clothing and blankets can be carried in loosely.

Highmark Stadium Smoking Policy

Smoking is prohibited in all areas of Highmark Stadium, including the concourses, seating areas, suites, clubs, and entry gates. This includes electronic cigarettes, chewing tobacco, lighters, and matches. There are no designated smoking areas.

Highmark Stadium Capacity & Seating Options

The 71,608-seat venue offers an array of seating options, including a family section where no alcohol is served. The Sideline Clubs at Highmark Stadium offer some of the best views in the stadium, as well as amenities to protect guests from the elements, including covered seating and radiant heaters to keep you warm on cold days. The clubs also feature private restrooms, upscale concessions and HD televisions.

If you want to maximize your comfort at the game, Indoor Clubs offer a climate-controlled environment and plush, theater-style seating. All food and drinks are included with M&T Bank Club seats and guests have access to a full buffet, dessert, beer, wine and spirits.

What are the best seats at Highmark Stadium?

The best seats at Highmark Stadium vary depending on the event and personal preferences. Check out Highmark Stadium seating charts and find your favorite seat today.

Food & Beverage Options at Highmark Stadium

 

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There are plenty of classic stadium food options and concession stands along the concourses. While they’re occasionally subject to change, food options include Shout! Chicken Sandwich, Walking Taco, Tim Hortons, and Dog House. For pizza lovers, La Nova offers pizza by the slice. There’s also Buffalo Wild Wings and Duff’s Famous Wings, which serve hot wings by the bucket.