Ralph Wilson Stadium

History

Stadium development

An original franchise of the American Football League (AFL) in 1960, the Buffalo Bills played their first 13 seasons at War Memorial Stadium, a multi-use WPA project stadium that opened in 1938, located on Buffalo's East Side. While suitable for AFL play in the 1960s, the "Rockpile" (as the stadium came to be nicknamed), was in disrepair and with a capacity of under 47,000, undersized for a National Football League (NFL) team. The league mandate instituted after the AFL–NFL merger of 1970 dictated a minimum of 50,000 seats.

In early 1971, owner Ralph Wilson was exploring options to relocate the team, possibly to Seattle, with other cities such as Memphis and Tampa soon expressing interest as well. The potential loss of the team hastened the stadium project and Rich Stadium opened in 1973. The location and construction of the stadium in Erie County were the source of years of litigation, which ended with a financial settlement for a developer who had planned to erect a domed stadium in Lancaster. However, plans changed, driven by a desire to avoid being too close to Lancaster High School. The stadium was ultimately built by Frank Schoenle and his construction company. Bonds were approved by the county legislature in September 1971.

Naming rights

In 1972, Rich Products, a Buffalo-based food products company, signed a 25-year, $1.5 million deal ($60,000 per year), by which the venue would be called "Rich Stadium"; one of the earliest examples of the sale of naming rights in North American sports. (The name was somewhat of a compromise, after Bills owner and founder Ralph Wilson rejected the name Rich wanted to use to promote its non-dairy creamer, "Coffee Rich Park.") By a vote of 16–4, the county legislature approved the name in November 1972, despite a matching offer from Wilson to name it "Buffalo Bills Stadium."

When the Bills organization regularly referred to the stadium without the "Rich" name, Rich Products brought a $7.5 million lawsuit against the team in 1976. After the original deal expired after a quarter century in 1998, the stadium was renamed in honor of Wilson. Rich Products balked at paying a greatly increased rights fee, which would have brought the price up to par with other NFL stadiums.

On August 13, 2016, Buffalo-based New Era Cap Company and the Bills reached a seven-year, $35 million agreement for stadium naming rights. The Bills and New Era officially announced the stadium's new name of New Era Field five days later, on August 18, 2016.

On July 15, 2020, the Bills announced that New Era Cap asked to be released from their naming rights and sponsorship deal, and the two sides agreed on terms to terminate the contract. The statement referred to the venue only as "the stadium", and the Bills' website scrubbed all references to New Era. Under the terms of the 2012 lease agreement, in addition to Erie County having to approve any new stadium name as the stadium's legal owners, the government of the state of New York would also have a veto; the clause was inserted to quash ambush marketing attempts. Under this clause, Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz rejected a naming rights bid by minitoilet maker Tushy Bidets, saying that any name that "embarrasses the community" would not even be considered regardless of the size of the bid. Signs bearing the "New Era Field" name were removed beginning July 24. On August 20, the team announced they would temporarily use the name Bills Stadium until they found a new naming-rights partner.

On March 29, 2021, the team announced that the stadium’s new name would be Highmark Stadium after reaching a 10-year agreement with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York.

Stadium records and facts

The first NFL game at the stadium was on September 30, 1973, a 9–7 victory against the New York Jets. The first NFL playoff game at the stadium came in the 1988 season, a 17–10 Bills victory over the Houston Oilers on January 1, 1989. The Bills won every ensuing playoff game at the stadium until they were defeated on December 28, 1996 by the Jacksonville Jaguars. They would not lose another playoff game at the stadium until January 22, 2023, when they lost 27–10 in the AFC Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals. The stadium hosted the AFC Championship Game in 1991, 1992, and 1994.

The Bills defeated each of the 31 other teams there at least once and were unbeaten there against three teams: the Arizona Cardinals (5–0), Green Bay Packers (7–0), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4–0), who visited the stadium for the final time on November 16, 2025.

The last Bills regular season home game (and final game overall) at the stadium was played on January 4, 2026 against the New York Jets, the first opponent they faced at the stadium. The Bills won by a score of 35–8 in front of 70,944 fans; immediately following the finale, a tribute video to the stadium was played in the stadium, as well as the songs "God Bless the U.S.A." and "What a Wonderful World".

Design and renovation

The stadium is open-air, with a capacity of 71,870. It has never had a natural grass surface; AstroTurf was installed in the stadium upon its opening in 1973. The first renovation occurred in 1984 when the stadium's capacity was increased to 80,290 with the addition of 16 executive suites.

Eight years later in 1992, 24 more executive suites were added. In 1994, major renovations were made to the stadium including the addition of the Red Zone and Goal Line clubs that are enclosed in glass and have 500 seats. These renovations also added 14 executive suites. A massive $9.1 million (inflation adjusted) 41.5 by Sony JumboTron video scoreboard was a major update in 1994 and was the largest in the U.S. at the time. In 1998, $57 million were spent to refit the stadium with larger seats and more luxury and club seating as a part of the Bills lease renewal with Erie County. This caused the seating capacity to be reduced to just under 74,000.

In the 2003 offseason, the original style turf was replaced with a newer AstroTurf product, AstroTurf GameDay Grass (also known as AstroPlay). The lease agreement also stipulated Erie County would continue to upgrade the stadium; in the summer of 2007, a new HD Mitsubishi LED board measuring 88.8 by was installed and replaced the 13-year-old Sony Jumbotron. Over 1000 ft of Mitsubishi Diamond Vision LED Ribbon Boards were also installed in the interior during that renovation. The total cost for the 2007 project was $5.2 million, In 2011, the Bills changed their turf to a new product, A-Turf Titan, produced by a Western New York company. As of the 2023 season, Buffalo is the only NFL stadium using the A-Turf Titan product.

On December 21, 2012, the lease negotiations between the Bills, Erie County, and the state of New York ended with the Bills signing a ten-year lease to stay in Buffalo until 2023. The agreement included $130 million in improvements to New Era Field. Renovations included new larger entrance gates, larger HD sponsor boards added to each side of the video scoreboard, two new 33.6 by HD video boards, larger LED sponsor board added on the tunnel end of the stadium, expanded concessions, new team store, and redesign of areas and lots just outside the entrance gates. In addition, a life-sized statue of team founder Ralph Wilson was posthumously added to a new area outside the team store called "Founder's Plaza" in 2015.

Buffalo, by virtue of its position downwind of Lake Erie, is one of the nation's windiest cities, and as a result, Highmark Stadium is difficult for kickers, with swirling winds that change direction rapidly. This is exacerbated by the stadium's design. The field is 50 ft below ground level, while the top of the upper deck stands only 60 ft above ground. The open end lies parallel to the direction of the prevailing winds, so when the winds come in, they immediately drop down into the bowl, causing the stadium's signature wind patterns.

Seating capacity

Other uses

Other sporting events

The size of the field at Highmark Stadium is specifically designed for National Football League dimensions and sight lines, along with football and team markings being formed permanently into the turf, making it extremely difficult for other outdoor sporting events such as soccer, baseball, track and field, or rugby to be held there. None of any significance have ever been held at the stadium.

The stadium annually hosted the region's Section VI and Monsignor Martin Athletic Association high school football playoffs.

In 1984, the stadium was covered in dirt for the Grand National Motor Spectacular auto show and the AMA Supercross Championship.

The opening ceremony of the 1993 Summer Universiade was held at the stadium.

College football

Syracuse University played two home games at the stadium in 1979. Syracuse was left without an on-campus home for one season between the demolition of Archbold Stadium and the construction of the Carrier Dome on its footprint.

The stadium hosted a Black Friday contest between the UB Bulls and the Bowling Green Falcons in 2013.

Ice hockey

On January 1, 2008, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first NHL Winter Classic. The Penguins won 2–1 in a shootout in front of 71,217. On December 29, 2017, the stadium hosted a match between the U.S. and Canada at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships being hosted by Buffalo.

Concerts

Bob Seger, Yes, J. Geils Band, and Donovan all performed at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY, for the "Superfest 12" event on August 20, 1977, a massive all-day concert featuring an iconic lineup of rock legends that drew huge crowds Nearly 30 concerts have been held at the stadium, starting in 1974 with Eric Clapton and The Band.

Several bands have played the stadium multiple times, including The Rolling Stones, who played there in 1975, 1978, 1981, 1997, and 2015.

The Grateful Dead played the stadium a 5 times including 7/4/86, 7/4/89, 7/16/90, 6/6/92, and 6/13/93 with their July 4, 1989 Truckin' Up to Buffalo performance being documented on Vinyl, CD, and DVD.

The Who, Dave Matthews Band, Guns N' Roses, and The Jackson Five have all played at the stadium multiple times as well.

Double and multi-billed concerts have also been scheduled at the stadium.

There were notable large concerts that were scheduled to take place at the stadium but were later canceled. Led Zeppelin was set to perform at the stadium on their 1977 North American Tour. The concert was one of the seven remaining concerts on the tour that were canceled due to the death of lead singer Robert Plant's son. A Bruce Springsteen concert, that was originally scheduled at the stadium in 2003, was moved to the smaller Darien Lake Performing Arts Center due to low ticket sales.

Concert appearances began to wane in the 1990s at the stadium, which ended with Dave Matthews Band and NSYNC each playing a concert in June 2001, with no more concerts at the stadium for 14 years. This was due to the combination of a declining number of stadium rock acts, population decline, and the availability of other, more intimate, venues in Western New York such as Artpark in Lewiston, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Corfu, the Thursday at the Square series among others, Seneca Niagara Casino, and the KeyBank Center, which opened in 1996, replacing Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in downtown Buffalo.

Non-sporting or music events

The stadium has also hosted the Drum Corps International championships three times.

Autocross racing events are held in one of the stadium's parking lots during the spring, summer, and fall months. The local WNY SCCA Chapter hosts the autocrosses.

Replacement

Main article: Highmark Stadium

On March 28, 2022, following years of speculation, planning and negotiations, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a deal had been reached between New York State, Erie County, and the Bills to build a 62,000-seat, $1.4 billion dollar stadium across the street from the previous stadium, adjacent to Erie Community College's south campus.

| access-date = March 28, 2022 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220328152220/https://buffalonews.com/sports/bills/buffalo-bills-new-york-state-erie-county-reach-ironclad-30-year-deal-to-build-1/article_e3a8fe7e-ae95-11ec-bb85-f3fcd04852d9.html

| archive-date = March 28, 2022 | url-status = live | url-access = subscription

The final game at the original stadium was held January 4, 2026, the team's regular season finale against the New York Jets. A closing ceremony was held as part of the festivities, including the Bills wearing red throwback helmets, a musical montage and fireworks display featuring "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls and "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong, appearances by several Bills alumni, and a pre-recorded statement from former coach and general manager Marv Levy.

The stadium is scheduled to be demolished in March 2027, which will be about seven months after the completion of the new stadium and the entirety of the 2026 NFL season.

Alleged curse

Since the Bills moved from War Memorial Stadium into their current home, it has been noted that the team has not won a championship and has had frequent periods of heartbreak, including four Super Bowl losses in a row. Several writers have owed this to the fact that the stadium is built just yards away from a family cemetery as part of territory once owned by the Sheldon Family. A plaque just outside the stadium at the gates graces the cemetery and also notes that the stadium was built on the site of an ancient Wenro village.

References

References

1. "Dave M. Berg Spring 2006 Newsletter".
2. "The Old Rockpile".
3. BALLPARKS.com by Munsey and Suppes. "War Memorial Stadium".
4. (January 13, 1971). "Bills may move team to Seattle". Spartanburg Herald.
5. (Jan 13, 1971). "Bills consider transfer". Michigan Daily.
6. (January 13, 1971). "Buffalo Bills may shift to Seattle". Bryan Times.
7. (January 15, 1971). "Memphis, Tampa express interest in Buffalo Bills". Spartanburg Herald.
8. (January 20, 1971). "Buffalo making efforts to retain grid franchise". Wilmington Star-News.
9. "Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, NY 14127".
10. (January 20, 1971). "Domed stadium out at Buffalo". Milwaukee Journal.
11. (January 21, 1971). "Buffalo scraps stadium plans". Spartanburg Herald.
12. "Stadium History".
13. (September 24, 1971). "Erie County legislators ok Buffalo stadium bond". Lewiston Morning Tribune.
14. (September 24, 1971). "Bond boost passes, Bills get stadium". Milwaukee Journal.
15. (September 24, 1971). "Bills stadium bonds approved". Miami News.
16. Fauber, John. (May 17, 1989). "What's in a name?". Milwaukee Journal.
17. Kwiatkowski, Jane. (June 28, 2011). "Tales From a Life Full of Buffalo Sports History". [[The Buffalo News]].
18. (November 8, 1972). "'Rich Stadium' name selected". Lawrence Journal World.
19. (October 31, 1972). "Stadium name a costly bill". St. Petersburg Independent.
20. (May 8, 1973). "Bills exercise veto on name". Milwaukee Journal.
21. (May 17, 1973). "Bills lose fight to name stadium". Milwaukee Journal.
22. (September 22, 1976). "Rich sues Bills for $7.5 million". Observer Reporter.
23. Warren, Matt. (May 9, 2009). "On the naming rights to Ralph Wilson Stadium". SBNation.
24. (August 13, 2016). "Bills agree to a naming rights deal for the stadium". Buffalo Bills.
25. (August 17, 2016). "Bills introduce New Era at stadium". Democrat & Chronicle.
26. (August 18, 2016). "New Era Cap takes over stadium naming rights for Buffalo Bills; Team to now play at New Era Field". Buffalo Bills.
27. Jeff Russo. (July 15, 2020). "New Era name to be dropped from Buffalo Bills stadium". [[WKBW-TV.
28. (July 17, 2020). "Poloncarz turns down offer from bidet company to rename New Era Field". Nexstar Media Group.
29. (24 July 2020). "New Era signs start to come down at football stadium in Orchard Park". Buffalo News.
30. "Bills to use this name for their stadium in Orchard Park". Buffalo Bills.
31. Williams, Charean. (2021-03-29). "Bills rename stadium to Highmark Stadium after naming-rights deal".
32. (31 March 2021). "Buffalo Bills' stadium to be named 'Highmark Stadium' after deal with health insurer".
33. (11 October 2023). "NFL field surface intel: Grass vs. turf, owners, problems".
34. Wawrow, John. (2012-12-21). "Bills staying put after agreeing to new lease". [[Yahoo! Sports]].
35. (2015-03-26). "Bills to honor Wilson with life-sized statue".
36. (October 1, 1973). "Leypoldt Boosts Bills to Victory". [[The Victoria Advocate]].
37. Powers, John. (December 16, 1984). "Ease on Down the Road: NFL Clubs Are Packing It In for New Cities and Sweetheart Deals". [[The Boston Globe]].
38. (December 25, 1995). "League Extends TV Blackout Deadline for Bills Game". [[The Buffalo News]].
39. Bouchette, Ed. (September 1, 1999). "Bettis Practices Despite Swelling". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
40. (September 7, 2001). "Rain Chases Saints Indoors in Final Heavy Practice for Bills". [[The Advocate (Louisiana).
41. Gaughan, Mark. (September 26, 2008). "Deferring on Opening Kick Is a Growing Trend". [[The Buffalo News]].
42. "2014 Buffalo Bills Media Guide". Buffalo Bills.
43. (August 28, 2015). "2015 Buffalo Bills Media Guide". Buffalo Bills.
44. Baker, Kelly. (August 18, 2016). "A Look Through History of the Home of the Buffalo Bills". Buffalo Bills.
45. "Bills to Host High School Football Playoff Game at Ralph Wilson Stadium".
46. Beebe, Michael. (June 24, 1984). "Stadium Gearing Up for Tractor Pull, Mud". [[The Buffalo News]].
47. Mecca, Paul. (July 15, 1984). "22,400 See Omara Win in Supercross". [[The Buffalo News]].
48. (July 8, 1993). "WORLD UNIVERSITY GAMES; A Bit of Athletic History Is Made in Buffalo". [[The New York Times]].
49. (November 29, 2013). "Bowling Green vs. Buffalo - Game Recap - November 29, 2013".
50. (December 24, 2017). "2008 NHL Winter Classic: An oral history".
51. (January 2, 2008). "Snow surprise: Sid the Kid ices Sabres". Eugene Register-Guard.
52. (28 October 2016). "Canada faces U.S. outdoors at 2018 WJC". Bell Media.
53. (29 December 2017). "U.S. beats Canada in shootout at first world junior outdoor game". [[The Globe and Mail]].
54. (24 August 2008). "The Top 20 Concerts At Rich Stadium".
55. "ROCKS OFF SETLISTS".
56. (4 June 2013). "Farm Aid Music Monday, Starring the Grateful Dead".
57. "Truckin' Up To Buffalo (Part One of An Interview with Grateful Dead Archivist David Lemieux)".
58. (19 April 2007). "Rich Stadium - June 13, 1993 - Grateful Dead".
59. (June 6, 2000). "Way out of tune". Buffalo News.
60. "DMBAlmanac.com²".
61. "DMBAlmanac.com²".
62. (March 31, 2015). "Stones on tour".
63. Ruberto, Toni. (October 23, 2014). "One Direction to play Ralph Wilson Stadium".
64. (October 23, 2014). "On the Road Again Tour".
65. (6 June 2017). "U2 to play New Era Field Sept. 5".
66. (10 August 2021). "The Stadium Tour featuring Def Leppard, Mötley Crüe, with Poison and Joan Jett & The Blackhearts at Highmark Stadium".
67. (2022-02-24). "Heading East!". Metallica.com.
68. "'The future is bright' {{!}} Bills and Highmark announce naming rights deal for New Bills Stadium".
69. Fitzgerald, Katherine. (2024-01-19). "What's going on with The Pit? An explainer – and a poem – on the Buffalo Bills' new stadium".
70. Parrino, Matt. (2026-01-05). "Bills coach revealed what made him feel guilty in final home game at Highmark Stadium".
71. Alan, Brett. (2026-01-05). "What Will It Take To Have One More Final Game At Highmark Stadium?".
72. (March 31, 2025). "'We want it to be a destination': What could the area around the new Buffalo Bills stadium look like?". Scripps Media, Inc..
73. Minetor, Randi. (Oct 1, 2015). "Cursed in New York: Stories of the Damned in the Empire State". Globe Pequot Press.
74. Roth, Leo. "Roth: The Buffalo Bills' ghostly gridiron". [[Democrat and Chronicle]].
75. Aaron Lowinger. (June 2012). "The Bills Curse". Buffalo Spree.