Highmark Stadium is the home of the Buffalo Bills, a professional football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL). Located in Orchard Park, New York, just south of Buffalo, Highmark Stadium has been the home of the Buffalo Bills since it opened in 1973.
Features of Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium is a state-of-the-art soccer stadium with numerous features that make it a unique and exciting venue for fans. Here are some of the top features:
- Seating: Highmark Stadium has seating for 5,000, with both general admission and reserved seating options available. The seats are arranged in a bowl shape, which provides excellent sightlines from every seat in the stadium.
- Field: The playing surface at Highmark Stadium is made of natural grass and is meticulously maintained to provide the best playing surface possible for players.
- Scoreboard: The stadium features a large video scoreboard that displays live game action, replays, and other multimedia content.
- Concessions: the stadium has a variety of food and beverage options available for fans, including traditional stadium fare like hot dogs and nachos, as well as local favorites like Primanti Bros. sandwiches.
- Accessibility: Highmark Stadium is fully accessible to fans with disabilities, with wheelchairs and companion seating available on all levels of the stadium.
- Event Space: In addition to soccer matches, this space is also available for private events like weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings.
Highmark Stadium map:
Address: 1 Bills Dr, Orchard Park, NY 14127
History and Construction
The Buffalo Bills, an American football team, played their first thirteen years at Buffalo War Memorial Stadium. However, the stadium was in disrepair and deemed undersized for an NFL team with a capacity of under 47,000. In 1973, Rich Stadium opened as the Bills’ new home stadium. The construction of the stadium and its location were the source of years of litigation, which ended with a financial settlement for a developer who had planned to build an all-weather stadium in Lancaster, New York.
The stadium was built by Frank Schoenle and his construction company, and it was initially named “Rich Stadium” after Rich Products signed a 25-year, $1.5 million deal. This deal was one of the earliest examples of naming rights being sold in North American sports. After the original deal expired in 1998, the stadium was renamed in honor of Bills owner and founder Ralph Wilson.
The Bills’ first playoff game at the stadium was in 1989, and they won every ensuing playoff game at the stadium until they were defeated by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1996. In 2012, the Bills signed a ten-year lease to stay at the stadium, ending negotiations between the Bills, the County of Erie, and the State.
On July 15, 2020, the Buffalo Bills announced that New Era Cap had requested to be released from their naming rights and sponsorship deal, and both parties agreed to terminate the contract. The stadium was referred to only as “the stadium” in the statement, and all references to New Era were removed from the Bills’ website.
The 2012 lease agreement mandated that any new stadium name must be approved by Erie County and the state of New York, which had the power to veto to prevent ambush marketing attempts. Signs with the “New Era Field” name were removed, and the team temporarily named the stadium Bills Stadium until a new naming-rights partner was found.
On March 29, 2021, the Bills announced that the stadium’s new name would be Highmark Stadium, following a 10-year agreement with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.
Facilities and Amenities
Highmark Stadium boasts a variety of facilities and amenities for fans to enjoy. These include:
- A main entrance plaza with a large LED video board
- A 2,000-square-foot beer garden with views of the Monongahela River
- A VIP lounge with a private bar and seating for up to 100 guests
- An all-weather indoor facility for training and events
- Multiple concession stands and restrooms
Food and Drink Options
Fans at Highmark Stadium can enjoy a wide variety of food and drink options. The stadium features multiple concession stands, serving everything from burgers and hot dogs to pizza and BBQ. There are also several beer stands serving local craft beers and other beverages.
Conclusion
Highmark Stadium is a modern and impressive NFL stadium located in Orchard Park, New York. With a seating capacity of over 70,000 and state-of-the-art amenities, Highmark Stadium provides an exciting game day experience for fans of the Buffalo Bills and other events held at the stadium. Whether you’re a die-hard football fan or simply looking for a fun event to attend with friends and family, Highmark Stadium is definitely worth checking out. From its stunning architecture to its lively atmosphere, the stadium is a must-visit destination for any sports enthusiast.
Thank you for reading our article on Highmark Stadium. We hope that you found it informative and helpful in planning your visit to this incredible venue. If you have any further questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to assist you in any way we can.
