Bills fan Todd Fuller greets Detroit Lions fans Deney Arney, left, and Chris Hankinson in their hot tub set up outside Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Fans cheer while tailgating in the Hammer Lot outside Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News
Buffalo Bills fans tailgate in the Hammer Lot outside Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
Josh Allen accounted for five touchdowns, James Cook rushed for 135 yards and the Buffalo Bills ripped their way through the Detroit Lions' defense for a 41-31 win Thursday, turning the official debut of Highmark Stadium into a 3-hour, 10-minute weeknight party in Orchard Park.
Gov. Kathy Hochul talks to The Buffalo News about her excitement over the first Buffalo Bills regular season game at the new Highmark Stadium before the Bills' game against the Detroit Lions on Thursday.
The Barenaked Ladies performed the Canadian national anthem at Highmark Stadium before the Buffalo Bills hosted the Detroit Lions in their home opener of the 2026 season on Thursday.
Big Tree Inn co-owners and employees are seen outside the Inn on Thursday, Sept. 17 in the lead up to the Bills' home opener. From left to right, employee Lance Nelson, co-owner Mel Smaszcz, Katherine Duffek and her father, co-owner Brian Duffek.Â
Tara Cole, left, and her mother Rachel Kane are attending Thursday’s Bills game from Tennessee. They hope the layout of the new stadium helps Bills fans set the league’s loudest noise record.
Tara Cole, left, and her mother Rachel Kane are attending Thursday’s Bills game from Tennessee. They hope the layout of the new stadium helps Bills fans set the league’s loudest noise record.
Big Tree Inn co-owners and employees are seen outside the Inn on Thursday, Sept. 17 in the lead up to the Bills' home opener. From left to right, employee Lance Nelson, co-owner Mel Smaszcz, Katherine Duffek and her father, co-owner Brian Duffek.Â
Bills fan Todd Fuller greets Detroit Lions fans Deney Arney, left, and Chris Hankinson in their hot tub set up outside Highmark Stadium on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Joshua Bessex/Buffalo News)
