Orchard Park, NY (WGR) - 51,807.
That's how many people showed up on Saturday night to watch the Buffalo Bills open practice and the first-ever event at new Highmark Stadium.
It was not only the first-ever event inside the new building, it was also the start of their 2026 season in Orchard Park. The team had been practicing at St. John Fisher University in Rochester since July 29, but that came to a close on Friday.
And just like it had in Rochester several times, rain came pouring down during the session.
Most of the night was rain free, and before it came down, wide receiver DJ Moore turned in an another highlight-reel play with quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen found Moore deep over the middle. Moore caught the ball between two defenders and then took off towards the end zone. He was ultimately taken down, but got up to a raucous cheer from the crowd.
New digs
Allen, along with the rest of the quarterbacks, as well as the punters and kicker Tyler Bass, wore the team's new "Nickel City" uniform and helmet.
Spanning a decade
Reid Ferguson, who is the longest tenured Bills player now in his tenth season with the club, was one of the first players out of the tunnel and onto the field before practice.
Ferguson was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and is the only Bills player who pre-dates previous head coach Sean McDermott.
Not practicing
In addition to running back Ty Johnson and center Connor McGovern leaving practice early with injuries, several players did not dress or participate on Saturday night, including cornerback Maxwell Hairston, defensive tackle Zane Durant, wide receiver Mac Dalena, cornerback DJ Miller, and punter P Mitch Wishnowsky.
Next Up
The Bills will be off on Sunday then return to practice on Monday in Orchard Park as they prepare for their first preseason game next Saturday afternoon against the Carolina Panthers inside Highmark Stadium.
Outlet Liquor
