Highmark Stadium

The stadium sits at 1 Bills Drive in Orchard Park, New York, in a suburban setting surrounded by parking lots and residential neighborhoods. Its distance from downtown Buffalo means driving is the primary option.

Driving & Parking

• Driving
  From I-90 (New York State Thruway), take Exit 56 (Blasdell) and follow Route 179 South to Abbott Road, then turn south on Abbott Road. From downtown Buffalo, take Route 219 South (the Skyway) to Milestrip Road. From the south (Erie, PA), take I-90 East to Exit 56. Game-day traffic on Abbott Road and Southwestern Blvd begins 3-4 hours before kickoff as tailgaters arrive early. The stadium address is 1 Bills Drive, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
• Parking
  Official stadium lots range from $30-$50 and can be pre-purchased. Hammer's Lot is the most famous private tailgate lot — a massive surface lot on Abbott Road that has become the epicenter of Bills Mafia tailgating culture, complete with legendary folding-table smashing. Private lots along Abbott Road and Southwestern Blvd range from $20-$40. For tailgate supplies, Wegmans — the beloved Western New York grocery chain — has multiple locations in the area and is the go-to for Bills fans stocking up. Consumers Beverages Orchard Park on Abbott Road is the local beer distributor and essential for tailgate beverages. McKinley Wine & Spirits is another convenient option.

Public Transit

• NFTA Metro runs express bus service from downtown Buffalo to the stadium on game days. Buses depart from the NFTA Metro Rail stations and downtown stops. It's the most practical non-driving option, but service can be crowded and schedules are limited after the game.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• Designated rideshare zones are on Abbott Road and Bills Drive. Expect surge pricing of 2-3x on game days. Post-game, the suburban location and heavy traffic can make rideshare waits 30-45 minutes. Some fans walk to nearby businesses on Abbott Road to get picked up.

The pregame experience at Highmark Stadium IS the tailgate. The parking lots open 6+ hours before kickoff and transform into a massive outdoor party that has become the most famous tailgating culture in professional sports. The surrounding Orchard Park area has limited bar options, but the greater Buffalo area has plenty.

Pregame Bars & Restaurants

• O'Neill's Stadium Inn
  Located on Abbott Road near the stadium, this is the closest bar to Highmark Stadium and packs in fans on game days. No-frills sports bar atmosphere, cold beer, and proximity to the gates.
• Big Tree Inn
  A legendary Bills bar on Abbott Road that has been the pregame gathering spot for decades. The atmosphere is pure Western New York — passionate fans, cheap drinks, and a walls-covered-in-memorabilia vibe.
• Danny's South
  A restaurant and bar on Abbott Road near the stadium offering standard American fare and a pregame crowd.
• Duff's Famous Wings
  Buffalo is the birthplace of the chicken wing, and Duff's is widely considered the best in the city. The Sheridan Drive location (about 15 minutes from the stadium) serves scorching-hot wings with the perfect crispy-crunchy texture. This is a pilgrimage-level wing experience. Go medium or hot — and bring napkins.
• Bar-Bill Tavern
  Located in East Aurora (about 15 minutes from the stadium), Bar-Bill is consistently rated among the best wing joints in the Buffalo area. Their wings are meaty and perfectly sauced, and the beef on weck (a Western New York specialty — roast beef on a kummelweck roll with horseradish) is outstanding.
• Prohibition 2020
  A cocktail bar and restaurant in Hamburg (about 10 minutes from the stadium) offering craft cocktails and upscale bar food in a Prohibition-era themed setting. A step up from the typical pregame dive bar.
• BW's Smokin' Barrels Barbecue
  A BBQ spot near the stadium offering slow-smoked meats and classic sides. Good fuel for a cold-weather game.
• Lakeshore Cafe Bar & Grill
  A casual restaurant and bar near the stadium area.
• PrimeTime Pizzeria
  A local pizza joint near the stadium offering Buffalo-style pizza.
• Imperial Pizza - Abbott Road
  A beloved local pizza chain with a location on Abbott Road near the stadium. Buffalo-style pizza (cup-and-char pepperoni) is its own tradition.
• The Bills Store
  Located at the stadium, the official team store is worth a visit for merchandise and gear.

Highmark Stadium's character comes from its history, its weather, and the passion of its fans.

• The Tailgate Culture
  Bills Mafia tailgating is the stadium's greatest feature. The parking lots become a festival of grills, folding tables (for smashing), costumes, and genuine camaraderie. It's considered the best tailgating in the NFL and has become a viral internet phenomenon. First-time visitors should plan to arrive at least 3 hours early to experience it.
• The Wall of Fame
  Located inside the stadium, the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame honors the franchise's greatest players and contributors. Inductees include Jim Kelly, Bruce Smith, Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, and other legends.
• The New Stadium
  The new 60,000-seat enclosed stadium is being built directly adjacent to the current site, visible from the parking lots. It represents the next chapter of Bills football in Western New York.
• Eternal Flame Falls
  Located about 20 minutes south of the stadium in Chestnut Ridge Park, this natural waterfall features a small grotto behind the falls where natural gas seeps create a flame that burns year-round behind the cascade. A unique natural wonder and worth a visit for those making a weekend trip.
• Vidler's 5 & 10, Inc.
  A massive five-and-dime store in East Aurora (about 15 minutes from the stadium) that has been in business since 1930. Spread across four buildings, it's a nostalgic shopping experience with over 75,000 items. Uniquely Western New York.
• Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
  A stunning Victorian-era greenhouse complex in South Buffalo, about 10 minutes from the stadium. The glass conservatories house tropical plants, palms, and seasonal displays. A peaceful contrast to the game-day chaos.

History & Notable Moments

• Four Consecutive Super Bowl Appearances (1991-1994)
  The Bills reached the Super Bowl four years in a row — losing all four (XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII) — a heartbreaking run that is nonetheless celebrated for its dominance. The teams of that era are beloved in Buffalo.
• Super Bowl XXV (1991)
  The closest of the four losses — the Bills lost to the New York Giants 20-19 when Scott Norwood's 47-yard field goal sailed "wide right" as time expired.
• The 17-Second Game (1993)
  In the AFC Wild Card game, the Bills overcame a 35-3 third-quarter deficit to defeat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime — the largest comeback in NFL history at the time.
• Opening Day (1973)
  The Bills played their first game at Rich Stadium on August 17, 1973, a preseason game against the Washington Redskins.
• Snow Games
  Highmark Stadium has hosted some of the most iconic snow games in NFL history, including the December 2022 blizzard that buried the stadium under several feet of snow and required the game to be relocated.

• Club Seats
  The club level (200 level) offers padded seats, access to the climate-controlled club lounge with premium food and beverage, and private restrooms.
• Luxury Suites
  Suites across the 200 and 300 levels accommodate 12-24 guests with catering and private amenities.
• The Rockpile
  Sections 326-334 in the upper deck behind the east end zone — the loudest and most passionate section in the stadium. Season tickets here are cherished.
• Lower Level End Zones
  Sections 101-109 and 133-141 offer close proximity to the action at more affordable prices.

• Signature Items
  Chicken wings (naturally) are available throughout the stadium in various heat levels. Beef on weck — the Western New York specialty of roast beef on a kummelweck roll — is a must-try. Sahlen's hot dogs (a local brand) are the stadium staple.
• Value Items
  Standard hot dogs, nachos, pretzels, and popcorn are available throughout. Prices run $10-$15 for basic items.
• Drinks
  Labatt Blue — the Canadian beer that has become Buffalo's unofficial beer — is the fan favorite. Local craft breweries like Big Ditch Brewing, Community Beer Works, and Thin Man Brewery are represented. Standard domestics are available. Beer runs $12-$16.