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Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; A general view of the field from the stands during the second half against the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium.Aug 15, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; A general view of the field from the stands during the second half against the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium.
The early returns on the Buffalo Bills‘ new $2.1 billion dollar stadium have been almost overwhelmingly negative from fans, and now players are getting in on the act.
The new Highmark Stadium, which replaced the 52-year-old previous Highmark Stadium (Ralph Wilson Stadium for many), has been widely panned for its obstructed views and small video boards.
But those issues are small potatoes compared to the concerns raised by players, which could prove to be a long-term safety issue if they continue.
Buffalo Bills Players Complain About The State Of The Field At Highmark Stadium
One of the major selling points of the new stadium is that it will use natural grass, rather than artificial turf. The field surface is widely regarded as being safer for players, and they’ve been vocal in their complaints about venues that use turf.
However, one week into play at Highmark Stadium, and Bills players are already voicing their frustrations with the new playing surface.
“The field is a– right now,” one player who didn’t want to be identified told Tim Gragam of The Athletic. “But it’s early.”
And that player wasn’t alone.
Another Bills player said that the new surface is “soft, but not in a good way.”
Granted, that could change as we shift from summer to fall and winter in upstate New York, with colder temps making for a firmer playing surface.
Maintaining a grass field is undeniably more difficult than artificial turf, especially in the harsh Buffalo weather. But only time will tell if it will be an issue for the Buffalo grounds crew. What we do know is that they’re apparently off to a pretty rough start.