Buffalo Bills to play ‘O Canada’ at home opener

Photo: Bill Wippert/Buffalo Bills

The Buffalo Bills will have performances of the Canadian and American national anthems at their upcoming home opener, it was announced on Wednesday.

The Barenaked Ladies will perform ‘O Canada’ on Thursday, September 17 when the Bills host the Detroit Lions. Auli’i Cravalho will perform ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’

The game will mark the first regular-season contest at Highmark Stadium, the new $2.2 billion venue located in Orchard Park, N.Y., located 60 kilometres southeast of Niagara Falls, Ont.

Last year, Bills chief operating officer Pete Guelli told the media in Toronto that 10 to 15 percent of the team’s season ticket holders live in Canada. The team has a formal partnership with Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) intended to engage fans and grow the game of football.

The Buffalo Sabres play ‘O Canada’ before every game regardless of whether or not the opponent is Canadian. Terry Pegula is the owner of both franchises.

Buffalo will open its regular-season on Sunday, September 13 against the Houston Texans. The Bills finished second in the AFC East standings in 2025 with a regular-season record of 12-5.