In September 2026, the Bills hosted the Detroit Lions in the first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium, with one sideline’s front row sitting 54 feet closer to the field than it did across the street at the old building. The 2027 season is the first one out-of-town fans can plan around the new stadium from day one. Most of them start with the same question: where to stay near Highmark Stadium, and whether there’s a better option than a chain hotel off the Thruway.
HTR Niagara sits on Grand Island, between Buffalo and Niagara Falls, 30 minutes from the stadium. Here’s what’s new at the stadium, how to time your booking around the 2027 schedule, what changed for tailgating, and how to fill the days you’re not at the game.
What’s New at the New Highmark Stadium?
The new Highmark Stadium opened on June 23, 2026, directly across the street from the old stadium in Orchard Park. It keeps the outdoor football Buffalo is known for while taking some of the edge off the weather. The numbers that matter to a visiting fan:
- 60,108 seats, the smallest capacity in the NFL and well below what the old stadium held.
- A canopy roof designed to cover about 64% of fans from rain, wind and snow.
- Heated natural grass in place of the old artificial turf.
- A closer sideline, with one side’s front row moved 54 feet nearer the field.
- A new entry plaza with three illuminated bison statues, built for pregame photos.
Smaller capacity cuts both ways. The building is louder and the sightlines are tighter, but there are fewer seats to go around, so secure tickets before you lock in lodging. Don’t assume you can buy at the gate.
Some things didn’t change. This is still an open-air bowl in a town that knows lake-effect snow, and the field itself is exposed. Buffalo’s average highs run near 70°F in September and around 60°F in October, but a night game off Lake Erie feels colder than the forecast. Pack a warm layer even for an early-season game. The canopy keeps most of the crowd dry. It doesn’t make the stadium indoors.
How Far Is HTR Niagara from Highmark Stadium?
HTR Niagara is about a 30-minute drive from Highmark Stadium. From the resort on Whitehaven Road, the route runs south on I-190 off Grand Island and through Buffalo, then onto I-90 and US-219 toward Orchard Park. Niagara Falls is in the opposite direction, which means a single base covers both the game and the falls.
Thirty minutes is the normal drive. On game day, the last few miles into Orchard Park slow down well before kickoff, so build in extra time. A game-day plan that works:
- Buy parking before you leave home. Prepaid parking through the Bills’ official parking page is the simplest way to guarantee a spot near the stadium.
- Leave the RV at your site. If you’re staying on a full-hookup RV site, drive your tow vehicle or a second car to the game. You keep your hookups, skip oversized-vehicle parking, and don’t re-level at midnight.
- Leave at least three hours before kickoff if you plan to tailgate. That covers the drive, the lot line and time to set up.
- Pick a driver or budget for rideshare. Post-game demand in Orchard Park is heavy, and pickup waits run long after the final whistle.
The tradeoff against a hotel next to the stadium is real: you won’t walk to the game. In return you get a quieter base, more room to spread out, and Niagara Falls about 20 minutes away for the days before and after.
Planning Around the 2027 Buffalo Bills Schedule
The NFL typically releases its full regular-season schedule in mid-May, so the 2027 Buffalo Bills schedule won’t be public until about four months before kickoff. Opponents are set earlier. The league’s rotation formula locks in each team’s home and away opponents once the 2026 regular season ends in January. You’ll know who is coming to Orchard Park well before you know when.
HTR Niagara is open April 9 to October 23, 2027. That window covers:
- August preseason, when the Bills usually host at least one home game.
- The early regular season, from the opener in September through roughly the third week of October. That usually works out to three or four home games, depending on how the schedule falls.
Games from late October through the playoffs fall after the resort closes for the season. If a snowy December game is the goal, that’s a different trip.
How to book a 2027 Bills weekend
- Watch for the schedule release in mid-May. The NFL announces the date a few days in advance.
- Circle every home game dated October 23 or earlier. Note Thursday and Monday night games, since those mean a weekday stay.
- Book the same week. September and October weekends at Niagara also draw fall foliage and Niagara Falls visitors, not just football fans.
- Stay Friday to Monday for a Sunday 1 p.m. game. Arriving the day before means you’re not driving in on game morning.
Seasonal RVers have an advantage here. A monthly or seasonal RV site at HTR Niagara covers every home game inside the season window without rebooking.
Bills Tailgating at the New Highmark Stadium: What Changed
Bills tailgating made the move to the new stadium, but the rules got tighter. In July 2026, fans pushed back on new lot rules covering tent size and how tents are secured, music, trash, food sharing, and repainted lot lines that define how much space each tailgate gets, according to Sports Illustrated’s Bills coverage. The official policy settled most of it. In team-controlled lots, tailgating has to fit inside your striped parking space, tents must be weighted and free-standing, and tailgating ends at kickoff. The team can adjust rules between seasons, so check the official Bills parking and tailgating rules the week of your game, not the week you book.
What hasn’t changed is the reason people come. Team lots open four hours before kickoff and close two hours after the game, and they fill early. Private lots around Orchard Park set their own rules, which is part of why they keep a loyal crowd.
Tailgate checklist for the new stadium
- A prepaid parking pass for the lot you plan to tailgate in.
- A free-standing canopy with weights. Stakes aren’t allowed in team lots, and wind off Lake Erie picks up fast.
- Trash and recycling bags. Plan to pack out everything you bring.
- A propane or gas grill, or a charcoal grill raised at least 6 inches off the ground. Grills on the pavement, fryers and glass bottles are out.
- An NFL-compliant clear bag for stadium entry. Leave everything else in the car.
- Layers and hand warmers for any October game, and for night games in September.
The rule-free tailgate is back at camp
The lot rules don’t apply at your site. Plenty of guests do the real cookout the night before: wings picked up in Buffalo on the drive back, a fire going, the jerseys already on. On game day, keep the lot setup small and save the big spread for camp.
Highmark Stadium Parking: Lots, RVs and Arrival Timing
Highmark Stadium parking falls into three types: official Bills lots, private lots run by Orchard Park businesses and homeowners, and rideshare drop-off. With the old stadium coming down across the street, lot layouts may not match what longtime fans remember, so check the current map before game day.
- Official Bills lots: best for tailgaters who want a guaranteed spot. Buy in advance, and team tailgate and setup rules apply.
- Private lots (e.g., Hammer’s Lot): best for fans who want a lot with its own crowd and traditions. Payment varies by lot, and these lots set their own rules and hours.
- Rideshare: best for groups skipping the tailgate. Expect surge pricing and long post-game pickup waits.
- RV at the stadium: only for fans who need to bring the rig. Oversized-vehicle parking is limited to designated lots, so confirm availability before you drive in.
Arrival timing depends on the plan. Team lots open four hours before kickoff, and tailgaters should aim to park close to that time. Fans heading straight to their seats can arrive about 90 minutes out and still clear security before the anthem. For a 1 p.m. game, that means leaving Grand Island by 11 a.m. at the latest.
For RV travelers, the most practical answer is to leave the rig on its hookups at HTR Niagara and drive a smaller vehicle to Orchard Park. Thirty minutes each way is a fair trade for not maneuvering a 35-foot coach through game-day traffic.
How to Turn a Bills Game into a Niagara Weekend
A Sunday 1 p.m. kickoff leaves Saturday and Monday open, and HTR Niagara sits between the stadium and some of the best-known sights in New York. A three-day plan from Grand Island:
- Saturday: Niagara Falls State Park in the morning, about 20 minutes from the resort, then the Niagara Gorge Trail before crowds peak. Dinner in Buffalo on the way back.
- Sunday: Game day. Tailgate in Orchard Park, then a late campfire back at your site.
- Monday: Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, a stop at Artpark in Lewiston, and a tasting on the Niagara Wine Trail before checkout.
More options are on the things to do near HTR Niagara page.
Which site type works best for a game weekend?
- Log cabin: best for families and groups. A real roof and walls after a cold night game, with room to dry out wet gear.
- Yurt: best for couples. A glamping-style stay with more comfort than a tent and more character than a hotel room.
- Full-hookup RV site: best for fans with their own rig. Park once, keep the hookups running, and drive a tow car to the stadium.
- Tent site: best for September games. The lowest-cost option, suited to warm early-season weekends.
Compare layouts and sizes on the HTR Niagara ways to stay page, and check pet and check-in details on the resort FAQ.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2027 Buffalo Bills schedule released?
The NFL typically releases its full regular-season schedule in mid-May, so the 2027 Bills schedule should come out around May 2027. Home and away opponents are set earlier, once the 2026 regular season ends in January. Plan to book lodging the same week the schedule drops, since early-season weekends near Niagara Falls also draw fall travelers.
Can you tailgate at the new Highmark Stadium?
Yes. Tailgating continues at the new Highmark Stadium, but in team lots your setup must fit inside your parking space, tents must be weighted rather than staked, and tailgating ends at kickoff. Rules can change between seasons, so check the Buffalo Bills’ official parking page before each game and buy parking in advance.
Is there RV parking at Highmark Stadium?
RV and oversized-vehicle parking at Highmark Stadium is limited to designated lots and should be confirmed with the Bills before game day. Many RV travelers park their rig at a nearby campground with hookups, such as HTR Niagara on Grand Island, and drive a smaller vehicle the 30 minutes to Orchard Park.
How far is HTR Niagara from Highmark Stadium and Niagara Falls?
HTR Niagara on Grand Island is about a 30-minute drive from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park and about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls State Park. Allow extra time on game day, because traffic near the stadium builds hours before kickoff.
Is HTR Niagara open during Bills season?
HTR Niagara is open April 9 to October 23, 2027. That covers August preseason and the Bills’ home games from the September opener through roughly the third week of October, usually three or four regular-season home games. Games later in the season fall after the resort closes.
Plan your 2027 Bills weekend
The 2027 schedule drops in May. Pick your home game that week, then lock in your base camp 30 minutes from Highmark Stadium.