Highmark worth the hype? Bills fans talk stadium design, tailgating, more

ORCHARD PARK – Is Highmark Stadium worth the hype?

Depends on who you ask.

Fans saw the Buffalo Bills’ new home for the first time on Aug. 8. Both praise and criticism for the NFL’s newest stadium circulated online across the following week.

Many praised the stadium’s modern design, spacious concourses, and locally inspired architecture. Others, however, groaned over obstructed views and limited scoreboard size.

Buffalo welcomed fans again on Aug. 15 for the Bills’ preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. We asked them: From tailgating to game time, is Highmark Stadium worth the hype?

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Parking lot upgrades

Tailgaters parked at Highmark Stadium’s newly constructed lots largely agreed: This, compared to their previous parking experience, was an upgrade.

“I used to park right outside the stadium and it was so tight,” said Jason Hicks of Williamsville. “This is much more open. We had no problem getting in here.”

Wider parking spaces offered extra room for tailgaters. Regular season games might increase traffic, some said, but none complained of logistical inconveniences Aug. 15.

“There weren’t this many (parking) lots around the (old) stadium,” said Jack Zienski of East Aurora. “Business as usual, just a lot more room.”

Scoreboard, seating complaints

Viral social media posts stemming from the Bills’ annual Blue and Red practice complained of unexpectedly obstructed seating views. Others felt that the stadium’s video boards lacked in size.