The Complete 2026 Buffalo Bills Schedule
The Buffalo Bills schedule opens a new chapter in 2026. The Bills play their first regular season inside the new Highmark Stadium, a $2.1 billion venue that officially opened in June 2026 and seats 60,108 fans for football. The slate features six primetime games, two holiday matchups, and a road-heavy second half with eight away games in the final 13 weeks.
Here is every game on the 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff (ET) | TV / Stream | Location |
| 1 | Sun, Sep 13 | at Houston Texans | 1:00 PM | CBS | NRG Stadium |
| 2 | Thu, Sep 17 | vs. Detroit Lions (Home Opener) | 8:15 PM | Prime Video (TNF) | New Highmark Stadium |
| 3 | Sun, Sep 27 | vs. Los Angeles Chargers | 1:00 PM | FOX | New Highmark Stadium |
| 4 | Sun, Oct 4 | vs. New England Patriots | 1:00 PM | CBS | New Highmark Stadium |
| 5 | Mon, Oct 12 | at Los Angeles Rams | 8:15 PM | ESPN (MNF) | SoFi Stadium |
| 6 | Sun, Oct 18 | at Las Vegas Raiders | 4:25 PM | CBS | Allegiant Stadium |
| 7 | — | BYE WEEK | — | — | — |
| 8 | Sun, Nov 1 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 PM | CBS | New Highmark Stadium |
| 9 | Mon, Nov 9 | at Minnesota Vikings | 8:15 PM | ESPN (MNF) | U.S. Bank Stadium |
| 10 | Sun, Nov 15 | at New York Jets | 1:00 PM | CBS | MetLife Stadium |
| 11 | Sun, Nov 22 | vs. Miami Dolphins | 1:00 PM | FOX | New Highmark Stadium |
| 12 | Thu, Nov 26 | vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Thanksgiving) | 8:20 PM | NBC | New Highmark Stadium |
| 13 | Sun, Dec 6 | at New England Patriots | 4:25 PM | CBS | Gillette Stadium |
| 14 | Sun, Dec 13 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:20 PM | NBC (SNF) | Lambeau Field |
| 15 | Sat, Dec 19 | vs. Chicago Bears | 8:20 PM | CBS | New Highmark Stadium |
| 16 | Fri, Dec 25 | at Denver Broncos (Christmas) | 4:30 PM | Netflix | Empower Field |
| 17 | Sun, Jan 3 | at Miami Dolphins | 1:00 PM | CBS | Hard Rock Stadium |
| 18 | TBD | vs. New York Jets | TBD | TBD | New Highmark Stadium |
Source: Buffalo Bills Official 2026 schedule release.
Preseason note: The Bills open the new stadium with a preseason game against Carolina on Aug. 15, followed by trips to Cleveland (Aug. 22) and a home matchup with Pittsburgh (Aug. 27).
Key Storylines on the 2026 Buffalo Bills Schedule
The 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule is built for national attention. Buffalo plays on five different days of the week — Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday — across the season.
- The Home Opener Nobody Wants to Miss: Week 2 against Detroit on Thursday Night Football is the first regular-season game in the new stadium. It is the hottest ticket on the entire Buffalo Bills schedule.
- Thanksgiving Against Kansas City: The Chiefs come to Buffalo on Thanksgiving night in Week 12 at 8:20 PM ET on NBC. It is a rematch of one of the AFC’s defining rivalries, and it lands in a national window.
- Christmas on Netflix: Week 16 sends the Bills to Denver on Christmas Day at 4:30 PM ET. It is one of the NFL’s streaming-exclusive holiday games and closes a brutal late-season road stretch.
- A Road-Heavy Finish: Eight of Buffalo’s final 13 games are on the road. The Bills close with three road trips in their last four scheduled contests: at Green Bay, at Denver, and at Miami.
2025 in Review: The Final Season at the Old Highmark Stadium
The 2025 Buffalo Bills schedule was the last one played at the original Highmark Stadium, and it delivered a season worth remembering.
Buffalo finished 12-5 and earned the AFC’s No. 6 seed. The Bills started 4-0 before falling to New England in Week 5. They beat Jacksonville on the road in the Wild Card round, 27-24, for their first road playoff win since 1992. The season ended in overtime in Denver, a 33-30 divisional loss to the Broncos.
The 2025 offense led the NFL in rushing yards as a team, totaling 2,714 yards on the ground. The individual headline belonged to James Cook, who won the NFL rushing title with 1,621 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns on 307 carries. Cook became the first Bill to lead the league in rushing since O.J. Simpson in 1976. The final regular-season home game was a win over the Jets, a fitting send-off for a stadium that hosted decades of Bills history.
How to Get Tickets for the Buffalo Bills Schedule
Tickets for the 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule are the most expensive in franchise history. The move into the new stadium pushed average secondary-market prices to roughly $610, an 88% increase from the previous season.
- Season Tickets: The most reliable path, but new-season memberships require a Personal Seat License (PSL) tied to the new venue. Existing members get priority.
- Single-Game Tickets: Available through the official Bills website and Ticketmaster. Inventory is limited, and marquee games sell out quickly.
- Secondary Market: StubHub, Vivid Seats, and TickPick offer options. Median get-in prices have hovered around $231 to $326 depending on the game.
- Budget Tip: Road games are consistently cheaper. If you want to see the Bills without paying stadium-opening premiums, target Houston in Week 1 or Las Vegas in Week 6.
Game Day at the New Highmark Stadium: Parking, Bags, and Tailgating
The new stadium keeps several Buffalo Bills traditions while adding modern logistics. Knowing the rules before you arrive saves time and money.
Parking
- Pre-purchase is mandatory. All Buffalo Bills-controlled parking lots require an advance digital or printed pass. You cannot pay at the gate on game day.
- Lots open four hours before kickoff and close two hours after the game ends.
- Private lots near the stadium cost roughly $20 to $50 and fill early.
- Rideshare drops at the ECC South Campus lot. Expect long post-game waits.
Clear Bag Policy
The stadium enforces the NFL’s standard clear-bag rule.
- Approved: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″.
- Also approved: A small clutch bag measuring 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″.
- Not approved: Backpacks, coolers, camera bags, and purses that do not meet the clear-bag or clutch standard.
- Storage: The stadium does not offer bag valet service. Non-permitted bags must be returned to your vehicle or hotel.
Tailgating
- Permitted in most stadium-operated lots, beginning four hours before kickoff.
- Prohibited in the Administrative, Team Member, Training Center, Tunnel, and Youth Stadium lots.
- Cashless venue: The stadium is completely cash-free. Bring a card or mobile payment.
How to Watch Every Game on the Buffalo Bills Schedule
The 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule is spread across more platforms than ever. Here is the broadcast breakdown so you never miss a kickoff.
| Platform | Games on the 2026 Schedule | How to Watch |
| CBS | Weeks 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17 | Over-the-air or Paramount+ |
| FOX | Weeks 3, 11 | Over-the-air or Fox Sports app |
| NBC | Weeks 12 (Thanksgiving), 14 (SNF) | Over-the-air or Peacock |
| ESPN | Weeks 5, 9 (MNF) | Cable, ESPN app, or NFL+ |
| Prime Video | Week 2 (TNF) | Amazon Prime subscription |
| Netflix | Week 16 (Christmas) | Netflix subscription |
Local note: Buffalo’s Week 2 game will also be available over-the-air on a local Buffalo channel in addition to Prime Video.
Flexible Scheduling: Why Late-Season Dates Can Change
The NFL can move games between time slots and networks in the second half of the season. That flexibility affects the Buffalo Bills schedule in Weeks 12 through 18.
- Sunday Night Football can be flexed in Weeks 11-17. The league must give at least 12 days’ notice for a Week 5-13 game and six days’ notice for a Week 14-17 game.
- Monday Night Football games are eligible for flexing from Weeks 12-17.
- Thursday Night Football flexing is limited to Weeks 13-17 and can happen up to twice.
- Week 18 has no fixed date or time. The NFL sets the final-week schedule after Week 17 to maximize playoff implications. All Week 18 games are initially listed as TBD.
What this means for fans: If you are planning travel for a late-season road game, book refundable fares or wait until the 12-day flex window clears.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Buffalo Bills Schedule
Q: When is the Buffalo Bills’ first game at the new Highmark Stadium?
A: The first regular-season game is Week 2, Thursday, Sept. 17, at 8:15 PM ET against the Detroit Lions. It airs on Prime Video. The preseason opener against Carolina on Aug. 15 is the first event in the venue.
Q: How many primetime games do the Bills play in 2026?
A: The Bills are scheduled for six primetime games: Week 2 (TNF), Week 5 (MNF), Week 9 (MNF), Week 12 (Thanksgiving), Week 14 (SNF), and Week 16 (Christmas Day).
Q: When do the Bills play the Chiefs in 2026?
A: Week 12 on Thanksgiving night, Thursday, Nov. 26, at 8:20 PM ET at the new Highmark Stadium. NBC broadcasts the game.
Q: What time do parking lots open at Highmark Stadium?
A: Highmark Stadium parking lots open exactly four hours before kickoff. You must buy a parking pass in advance; cash and card payments are not accepted at the gate.
Q: What is the clear bag policy at Highmark Stadium?
A: Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″ are allowed, along with a small clutch bag measuring 4.5″ x 6.5″ x 2″. Backpacks, coolers, and non-clear bags are prohibited. The stadium does not store rejected items.
Q: Is the Christmas Day game against the Broncos on cable TV?
A: No. The Week 16 game at Denver streams exclusively on Netflix at 4:30 PM ET. It is one of the NFL’s streaming-only holiday broadcasts.
Q: Will the Week 18 opponent and kickoff time be announced in advance?
A: No. The NFL lists all Week 18 games as TBD and sets the final schedule after Week 17 to maximize playoff stakes. The opponent is the New York Jets, but the date and time will not be confirmed until late December.
Q: Can I tailgate at the new Highmark Stadium?
A: Yes. Tailgating is permitted in most stadium-operated lots starting four hours before kickoff. Open fires and glass containers are prohibited, and tailgating is not allowed in the Administrative, Team Member, Training Center, Tunnel, or Youth Stadium lots.
Final Thoughts: This Schedule Is Built for a Championship Run
The 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule is not a gentle transition. It is a statement. A new stadium, six primetime windows, a Thanksgiving game against Kansas City, and a Christmas Day trip to Denver put Buffalo on the national stage from September through January. The road-heavy finish will test depth, discipline, and coaching in a way the 2025 slate never did.
If you plan to be part of it, move now. Buy parking passes before they sell out. Book refundable travel for late-season road games until the flex window clears. And if you can only attend one game, make it the home opener on Sept. 17. The first regular-season snap in the new Highmark Stadium is a moment Bills fans will talk about for decades.
The schedule is set. The stadium is open. The only thing missing is you. Go Bills.
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