Buffalo Bills fans get first experience at new Highmark Stadium Saturday

BUFFALO, N.Y. — After years of construction, Buffalo Bills fans on Saturday got their first look inside the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.

Saturday's Return of the Blue and Red Scrimmage opened the Bills' new home to the public for the first time. And there are plenty of new additions to look forward to.

There are new food and accommodations all around the stadium that fans should be excited about. 

"We are so excited to welcome the fans on Saturday, and bring this new stadium to life," Andy Major, senior vice president of Buffalo Bills stadium operations and fan experience, said.

While fans get their first look at the new stadium, they also get their first taste of a completely new food program. Legends Global has partnered with local restaurants and chefs to bring some of Western New York's most popular flavors inside the venue.

"Waiting for the fans to try our food here at the stadium, that’s going to be the moment," Nicholas Karoly, executive chef, Legends Global, said. "I can’t wait for the fans to try our food."

It's part of a larger effort to make the food experience feel authentically local.

But there are also flavors from across the border making debuts. One of the partners is actor and celebrity chef Matty Matheson, who is bringing his Rizzo's House of Parm Chicken Parm Sandwich from Ontario to Orchard Park.

"Fifty percent, at least, our clients are coming from Buffalo," Matheson said. "Like our customers every day are coming from Buffalo to Crystal Beach, and it’s an amazing thing to have that kind of unity."

From the local restaurants to the design elements throughout the building, Bills officials say that the goal was to create a stadium that reflects the region.

"We wanted this stadium to be built for Buffalo, have as much Buffalo flair as we possibly could," Major said. "And I think fans are going to see that for the first time on Saturday."

The regular season home opener at the new Highmark Stadium is set for Sept. 17 against the Detroit Lions.