Pittsford, N.Y. (WBEN) - Fans will pack St. John Fisher University once again on Friday for the final practice of Buffalo Bills training camp this year in the Rochester area, before the team transitions back to Western New York for the remainder of training camp and the preseason.
One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Bills heading into the 2026 season, though, remains the opening of the new Highmark Stadium along Abbott Road in Orchard Park, a little more than three years after ground broke on the major $2.2 billion project.
Saturday will mark a milestone day for the new stadium, as not only will the players get their first taste of football action in their new environment, it will also be the first chance fans get into the stadium to check out the new state-of-the-art facility at the annual "Return of the Blue and Red" scrimmage.
To say Bills fans are excited for the opportunity to get a first glimpse of the new stadium and its amenities is certainly an understatement.
"We've actually seen the outside of it. It's beautiful, and we're actually going to that first practice there too. So we're really excited about that," said Amanda from Lewiston.
"I think it's really top of the line. All like the schematics of what they've done - heating the field for the winter to melt the snow - I think it's really on par with all the other new stadiums that are being built. And I'm really excited to go in and see all like the little things," said Nick from Lewiston. "Seeing pictures and videos recently of the new folding table sculpture they did, I'm excited to see what else the Bills have done inside."
While some fans like Jimmy from Rochester still love the charm of the old Highmark Stadium, he does love that the new stadium remains an outdoor environment.
"It's part of the Bills. We don't need fancy domes and all that, we play in the weather. That's our 12th man, the weather, and I like being outside in the snow and the weather," said Jimmy with WBEN.
While most fans have only gotten the chance to see what's been posted on social media and whatnot, there are certain elements to the new stadium that they're most looking forward to checking out.
"Everything says, 'I love the Buffalo family,' I think that's really cool. I love the way that everything's red and blue in there, and everyone loves the table inside. Can't wait to see that," said Wendy from Grand Island.
"I'd like to see the the three buffalo statue, and see how it's set up for the the whole fan experience. We shall see," Jimmy added.
Other fans like Aviva from San Diego are just excited to catch a glimpse of the shear size of the stadium, compared to the old facility across the street.
"I've seen it compared to the old stadium, given the fact that it's really close, and it looks huge. It's gonna be great energy going there," Aviva said with WBEN.
With it having been three-plus years to build the new stadium and all the hype surrounding the football-first facility, what kind of urgency level do Bills fans have to get into the building?
"I've got preseason tickets, my girlfriend, she's a Season Ticket holder, so she's got seats. And I'm excited for whoever's got a ticket available to buy their seats to get in there," Wendy said with WBEN. "I was a Season Ticket holder for the last year-and-a-half, so it's kind of mixed emotions. I can sit back and wait, but I'm also excited for it as well."
"I think it'd be cool to get in right away, but it's not going anywhere," Nick added. "It's a massive, couple-billion-dollar building, so I'm not in a huge rush to get there, because it's not going anywhere. I understand people who want to get there, but I also see both sides."
For Aviva, she'll take whatever chance she can get to get in, especially being from across the country.
"It's better than going to a Rams game in [Los Angeles]. That's horrible. I love being at home. Just being in Buffalo feels like crazy different to me," she said.
As the Bills continue to finish work to demolish the old stadium across the street from the new Highmark Stadium, what do Bills fans hope will become of the area around the new facility?
"Maybe exhibits or more things Buffalo Bills-related, because everybody around the world likes the Bills. It would attract more people to come in," Amanda said.
"To tell you the truth, I think they're kind of crazy they didn't do like what the [New England] Patriots did, how they set up a mall, hotels, restaurants, and the whole fan experience down there," Jimmy added. "I think it'd be great for the area, especially down there. You've just got the empty lots, there's really nothing there."
As for other fans, they're hopeful nothing will be taken away from the experiences that truly make Buffalo and Western New York one of the most unique environments in all of football.
"I think that is a big part of the Bills culture, 'Bills Mafia'. It's who we are," Nick said. "I know there might be some new tailgating rules out there, but I hope they don't buy up too much of the private lots and knock it all down. Maybe more hospitality would be nice. I know a lot of people coming in probably have to stay like downtown or find Airbnbs to stay in. So a little bit more hospitality would be cool."
"What stood out to me when I went to my first Bills game was my grandpa has had the same house he's parked at for his entire life, and so has my dad. So I'm really interested to see what the Bills fans do to make it feel like home. It's a new thing, old territory. I want to see what happens," Aviva added.
This year's "Return of the Blue and Red" scrimmage gets started at 7 p.m.
The team will also host an additional open practice for the general public on Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 8:30 a.m.
