Bills respond to backlash over new $2.1bn stadium and make vow ahead of hosting first NFL game

Aug 11, 2026 - 09:15

The Buffalo Bills have responded to fan backlash over sightlines at their new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium.

Over the weekend, the NFL franchise hosted their first public event inside the building, and welcomed personal seat license (PSL) owners to take their new seats for the ‘Return of the Blue & Red’ practice.

Jim Kelly visits the new Highmark Stadium — Some fans have raised concern over views from seats inside the new Highmark

But within hours, images started to spread on social media, which showed a stairway blocking the field, and other elements of the state-of-the-art stadium obstructing views for some.

Buffalo Bills to address issues with $2.1bn stadium

Those posts quickly went viral, and led to many online slamming the ‘trash’ design of the new Highmark.

The Bills responded to the backlash on Monday, and confirmed ‘internal and external feedback regarding the facility’s operation’ will be addressed ahead of the 2026 home opener on September 17.

“Thank you to Bills Mafia for setting a new attendance record with more than 50,000 fans at the Return of the Blue & Red,” the statement read.

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“Saturday’s practice was a great opportunity to test the new stadium.

“We are currently addressing internal and external feedback regarding the facility’s operation following the first event.

“We’ll utilize the next six weeks to refine any details as we prepare for the home opener on Thursday, September 17.”

Bills to deal with Highmark Stadium issues on ‘case-by-case’ basis

According to Pro Football Talk, Bills chief operating officer Pete Guelli has claimed the team has heard from ‘less than 1 percent of PSL holders’ regarding sightline issues at the stadium.

Issues will be addressed on a ‘case-by-case’ basis.

A source also told ESPN that some of the photos circulating online show views from seats that are not for sale for football events.

A view of the pre game atmosphere before the game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on January 04, 2026 — The Bills will address concerns over Highmark sightlines on a case-by-case basis

The Bills hope a variety of events, including music concerts and outdoor NHL games, will be held at the stadium in the future.

AP reporter John Wawrow shared one image that has since gone viral, in which he claimed to have found ‘the worst seat in the house’ at Highmark.

His post, showing the obstructed view, has been viewed more than three million times in the days since.

Pro Football Talk has confirmed that seat that has not been sold, and will not be sold, for NFL games.

An aerial view of new Highmark Stadium, ahead of it's official opening for the 2026 season — The Bills will play their first game at Highmark in Week 2

‘Other seats’ fall into that same category, the outlet reports.

The Bills have moved quickly to address backlash around their new billion dollar stadium, and will now work to resolve issues for the small percentage of fans who have legitimate worries over their sightlines.