Highmark Stadium

Highmark Stadium is a large stadium in Orchard Park, New York.^[1] It is the home of the Buffalo Bills team.^[1]

The stadium has had several names during its history. It opened in 1973 as Rich Stadium, after the food products company of that name.^[2] After the sponsorship contract ran out in 1998, it was renamed Ralph Wilson Stadium in honor of Ralph Wilson (1918-2014), the team's founding owner from 1960 until his death in 2014.^[3] A new sponsorship contract with locally based headwear company New Era in 2016 led to a new name of New Era Field.^[4] In July 2020, New Era asked to be released from its contract, and the stadium became Bills Stadium for the 2020 NFL season.^[5][6] The current name took effect in March 2021, after regional health insurance company Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield signed a 10-year naming deal.^[7]

On June 5, 2023, construction started on a new stadium. The new stadium will be the new home of the Buffalo Bills and will replace Highmark Stadium. The new stadium will also have naming rights by Highmark.^[8]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Ralph Wilson Stadium Facts and Figures". buffalobills.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 14 September 2012.
2. ↑ Fauber, John (May 17, 1989). "What's in a name?". Milwaukee Journal. p. 8C.^{[permanent dead link]}
3. ↑ Warren, Matt (May 9, 2009). "On the naming rights to Ralph Wilson Stadium". SBNation. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
4. ↑ "New Era Cap takes over stadium naming rights for Buffalo Bills; Team to now play at New Era Field" (Press release). Buffalo Bills. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
5. ↑ Jeff Russo (July 15, 2020). "New Era name to be dropped from Buffalo Bills stadium". WKBW. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
6. ↑ "Bills to use this name for their stadium in Orchard Park". buffalobills.com. Buffalo Bills. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
7. ↑ Williams, Charean (2021-03-29). "Bills rename stadium to Highmark Stadium after naming-rights deal". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
8. ↑ "'The future is bright' - Bills and Highmark announce naming rights deal for New Bills Stadium". Buffalo Bills. Retrieved January 21, 2024.