Highmark Stadium is an open-air NFL venue in Orchard Park, New York and home to the Buffalo Bills. The stadium hosts NFL games and special events in one of the league’s most distinctive cold-weather environments.
Overview
Highmark Stadium opened in 1973 as Rich Stadium and has also been known as Ralph Wilson Stadium and New Era Field. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York acquired naming rights in 2021. Located at 1 Bills Drive in suburban Orchard Park south of Buffalo, the stadium is owned by Erie County and operated with Pegula Sports and Entertainment. A new Bills stadium is under construction adjacent to the current site for the later 2020s, making staffing and hospitality planning especially dynamic around Orchard Park.
Fast facts
- Location: Orchard Park, New York (1 Bills Drive)
- Teams: Buffalo Bills (NFL)
- Capacity: 71,608
- Opened: August 17, 1973
- Renovated: Multiple phases across five decades
- Surface: Artificial turf
- Premium Seating: Suites, clubs, and terrace hospitality
Architectural Features
The current stadium is a classic open bowl shaped by Western New York weather and Bills gameday culture:
- Open-air design exposed to lake-effect snow and wind
- Large lower bowl that concentrates crowd noise
- Tailgating culture that surrounds the stadium on gameday
- Adjacent construction for the Bills’ next-generation stadium
Hospitality
Food and beverage at Highmark Stadium is operated by Delaware North Sportservice, which is headquartered in Buffalo. The program leans into regional favorites — beef on weck, wings, and local beer — with premium club and suite catering for Bills games.
Major Events
- Regular-season and playoff NFL games for the Buffalo Bills
- Historic cold-weather playoff atmospheres
- Concerts and specialty outdoor events
- Transition planning around the new Orchard Park stadium project