Full Breakdown
Bills Re-sod Grass at New Highmark Stadium Ahead of Season Opener
8/30/2026, 2:14:11 AM
Field Replacement Decision
The Buffalo Bills are removing the Kentucky bluegrass that was installed in October 2025 and installing a new sod layer less than three weeks before the team’s regular-season debut. The re-sodding work is slated to begin on a Monday and be finished by the end of that week, allowing the new surface to be ready for the September 17 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions. The move follows visible wear, divots and a “massive clump” of turf that ripped out during the preseason opener.
Background: New Stadium and Switch to Natural Grass
Highmark Stadium, a $2.2 billion facility that opened for the 2026 campaign, marks the Bills’ first home on natural grass since the 1972 move from War Memorial Stadium. The field uses Kentucky bluegrass grown by Tuckahoe Turf Farms in New Jersey, the same supplier that outfits Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh) and Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia). The previous Highmark venue featured artificial turf throughout its 53-year tenancy.
Official Statements & Responses
Team president Pete Guelli said the field’s condition is “acceptable” from a safety standpoint, emphasizing that “from a playability and safety perspective, everybody’s very happy.”
Data & Statistics
- Stadium construction cost: $2.2 billion.
- Seating capacity: 60,108 (expandable to about 66,000 with standing room).
- NFL Players Association data (June 10) shows 92 percent of players prefer natural grass over turf.
- The field’s initial debut featured a noticeable divot that required players to stomp grass back into place during the preseason game.
Verbatim Quotes
- “From a playability and safety perspective, everybody’s very happy,” — Pete Guelli, team president — Pete Guelli, team president
