Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - For 8:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning in Orchard Park, more than 41,000 fans made the trek to the new Highmark Stadium to watch an open practice for the Buffalo Bills, as the team gets ready for its second preseason game this Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.
What separated this open practice from the "Return of the Blue and Red" scrimmage back on Aug. 8 was this practice was open to non-Season Ticket holders and PSL owners, giving more fans across the region the chance to get a look at the new stadium and all it has to offer ahead of kickoff this regular season.
For a large portion of Bills fans in attendance for Tuesday's open practice, the reaction to the new stadium was overwhelmingly positive.
"Very impressed so far. It's a beautiful stadium. Hard to believe it's in Buffalo," said Barb from Tonawanda.
"Everything's nice. They could have just made the concourses wider, it would have been a big improvement, but everything is new and shiny, traffic moves well, good bathrooms. I'm sure if they make right by the people who have obstructed views, it'll be a hit," said Edward from East Aurora.
For some fans like Ryan from Batavia, this was the second time he got the chance to venture through the stadium. This time, it was with his family to share the experience together.
"It is beautiful. It is very large, very loud, lots of very nice amenities as well. But everything seems spread out, which is a far cry from old Highmark Stadium. But this place is beautiful," Ryan said with WBEN.
Even some Bills fans made the trek from further away to get a taste of the new stadium. This included Alessandro from Ottawa, Ontario, who loved the old Highmark Stadium across the street and wanted to get a chance to compare it to the new facility.
"The old stadium, I enjoyed the architecture. As many Bills fans know, there's the outdoor aspect of it when you're going up and down certain levels. I really enjoyed that part, but I was very amazed at how open it was, how easy it is to move around the stadium," Alessandro said with WBEN. "I don't know. I've heard a lot of negative things about it, but I can't be any more happier about about the stadium so far."
As for Jeff from Saugerties, originally from Springville, he felt it was well worth the six-hour trip to check out the new stadium in action.
"Very proud. Especially from being near down south, where a lot of the money goes, very proud of this area," Jeff said with WBEN.
Many fans still can't warp their heads around the fact that such a stadium is in Western New York, especially after years of concerns that the Bills may leave the area for greener pastures.
"It blew me out of the water," said Al from Clarence. "I know they've talked about the obstructed view seats. We saw some of those, it's not a big deal. Hopefully the Bills will take care of those people, however they do it, but really, it's nice. You can stand somewhere, watch the game. Lots of good help around the stadium. A lot of police presence, which makes me comfortable all the time. So it's been a real nice experience this morning."
"It is definitely surreal. After years of Ralph Wilson talking about cranes in Toronto and the old worrying if they'd be around, to now have this instead, it's a nice relief. But it is definitely surreal after decades across the street," Edward added.
"I mean, we knew it was going to be fantastic, but it's just over the top. And not any of the complaints that we've heard on the internet really coming true," Barb also added.
So what are some of the favorite features for Bills fans at the new Highmark Stadium?
"The improved concourses, it's much more spread out, much easier to get around. I know at the old Highmark Stadium that could be a bit of a hang up from time-to-time. So it's nice to have those," Ryan said.
"For me, I find it more accessible almost. It's easier to maneuver the stadium," Alessandro echoed. "The last stadium, although as beautiful as it was, I feel like you had to go through more hoops and obstacles to get to where you wanted to go. I find it much easier to maneuver this stadium, for sure."
And for other fans, it's some of the more finer details that stick out.
"I like all the local touches - the Allentown, the Humboldt, the Black Rock, all the restaurants after something local. And, of course, the table's cool," said Stacy from Clarence.
"I like there's a little more covered seats, and the fact that there's grass instead of turf. Grass just makes it so much better," Jeff added.
The next football-related event at the new Highmark Stadium will take place Thursday, Aug. 27 with the final preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bills will host their first regular season home game a few weeks later on Thursday, Sept. 17 against the Detroit Lions.
Bills open practice at Highmark Stadium - Aug. 18, 2026
