Bills Central

This is where Bills' stadium ranks among ESPN's toughest places to play

ESPN polled 111 NFL players on which stadiums are the toughest places to play, with Buffalo ranked among the highest.

Nico Salimbene

Fans do several rounds of the wave during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024.
Fans do several rounds of the wave during second half action at the Bills home game against the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 29, 2024. / Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Highmark Stadium has long been considered by many to be among the most intimidating environments in the NFL. It has a reputation for giving their visitors trouble -- whether it comes from being so loud that offenses are forced to operate on a silent count, or from the wintry conditions that completely alter how the game is played, opposing teams must be prepared for anything while playing in Orchard Park.

james cook snow glidin
Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half at Highmark Stadium. / Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

ESPN released a poll that was sent to 111 NFL players, asking them to rank the toughest places to play across the league. They received anecdotes from players and incorporated it into the report.

"I completely enjoy playing in Buffalo," said Kansas City Chiefs DT Chris Jones. "Their fan base, very similar to ours. Very in tune, very passionate about their team. I know when we go up there, it's not only the Bills we're playing but their fans also. It makes that game more interesting and exciting knowing we're going into that atmosphere that's similar to our own crowd.''

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Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets ready to throw a pass as Kansas City's Chris Jones heads for him during first half action against the Kansas City Chiefs in Orchard Park, Nov.17, 2024. / Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Per ESPN, players were asked to rank their top three hardest places to play, which was then translated into a point system to determine how each stadium stacked up with each other. Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City was the top vote-getter with 57 points, followed by Lumen Field in Seattle, U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota, and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Highmark Stadium was ranked as the fifth toughest place to play in the country.

Construction on a new Bills stadium has been underway over the last year, with the project to be completed ahead of the 2026 season.

While Bills fans can expect an elevated watching experience in the new stadium, opposing teams will continue to walk into one of the most daunting places to play in the NFL.

bills fans holding sign
Buffalo Bills fans hold up signs for players to see during first half action at Highmark Stadium where the Buffalo Bills hosted the New England Patriots in Orchard Park on Dec. 22, 2024. / Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Nico Salimbene
NICO SALIMBENE