Bills to re-sod new stadium field before regular-season debut

The Buffalo Bills will replace the grass at their new $2.2 billion stadium after poor conditions during preseason games. The re-sodding begins Monday and should be complete by the end of the week, ahead of the Sept. 17 home opener against Detroit. The team cited a stretch of three consecutive home games as reason for the timing.

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The re-sodding comes after the field's preseason debut showed visible deterioration, with players and officials needing to stomp loose Kentucky bluegrass patches back into place during the opener against Carolina. The surface performed better in Thursday's game against Pittsburgh, but the team opted for replacement anyway, citing three consecutive early-season home games as the deciding factor.

This marks Buffalo's return to natural grass for the first time since 1972, when the team left War Memorial Stadium for Orchard Park. The original sod was installed in October 2025, and team president Pete Guelli had previously downplayed concerns, telling the AP the field would improve as the foundation settled. The new surface must be ready for the Sept. 17