OneRepublic to Headline Halftime at Bills' New Stadium Debut
OneRepublic will perform at halftime during the Buffalo Bills' first regular-season game at the new Highmark Stadium on Sept. 17. Former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick revealed the news on a podcast. The band is known for hits like 'Counting Stars' and 'Apologize'.
The Sept. 17 matchup against the Detroit Lions marks the first regular-season contest at the new Highmark Stadium, with the performance announced by former Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick during his podcast alongside Andrew Whitworth. OneRepublic, a Colorado Springs pop-rock band that gained early traction on MySpace, brings a catalog including "Counting Stars" and "Apologize" to the Thursday Night Football broadcast on Prime Video.
The new venue has drawn mixed early reactions from fans and players. Complaints include obstructed sightlines, a smaller video board, parking and traffic congestion, and limited weather protection for lower seating. The natural grass surface has also drawn criticism, with one unnamed player calling it poor early on, though others noted it remains preferable to artificial turf and should improve with maintenance.
This announcement could draw broader attention to the Bills' stadium transition, potentially boosting viewership for the Thursday night broadcast and generating additional buzz around the new venue. Fans attending the game may see the halftime show as a highlight, while those with concerns about stadium issues might weigh the entertainment factor against their overall experience. The choice of a mainstream act like OneRepublic could help the franchise market the new stadium to a wider audience.