Highmark Stadium

Highmark Stadium, Buffalo

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]

References

  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?. p. 8C. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19890517&id=_WoaAAAAIBAJ&pg=2481,992293. [dead link]
  3. Warren, Matt (May 9, 2009). On the naming rights to Ralph Wilson Stadium. SBNation. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2009/5/9/868618/on-the-naming-rights-to-ralph. Retrieved August 19, 2016. 
  4. Buffalo Bills (August 18, 2016). "New Era Cap takes over stadium naming rights for Buffalo Bills; Team to now play at New Era Field". Press release. http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/New-Era-Cap-takes-over-stadium-naming-rights-for-Buffalo-Bills-Team-to-now-play-at-New-Era-Field/79a13045-d8a8-48d0-beb2-33c452dc6421. Retrieved August 18, 2016. 
  5. Jeff Russo (July 15, 2020). New Era name to be dropped from Buffalo Bills stadium. WKBW. https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/new-era-name-being-dropped-from-buffalo-bills-stadium. 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.

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