How have NFL teams fared in first games at new stadiums?
The Bills officially open new Highmark Stadium to NFL games Thursday night. Past stadium-openers have had a mixed effect on teams.
Ralph Wilson Stadium has ceased to exist. On Thursday night, the Buffalo Bills heralded the dawn of a new era by playing their first game at Highmark Stadium, a $2.2 billion edifice that represents Western New York's dedication to their football team, even if it means burdening taxpayers with an enormous expense for a stadium that will accommodate fewer fans than its predecessor.
Thursday's evening match witnessed a fervent crowd as the Detroit Lions arrived to contend with the Buffalo Bills in a clash of high-octane offenses and questionable defenses. The game showcased two teams with aspirations of reaching the Super Bowl, who managed to emerge victorious in Week 1.
A comprehensive analysis of how NFL teams performed in their inaugural games at new stadiums, dating back to 2002, reveals that the overall record stands at 8 wins and 7 losses. An illustrative example is the Las Vegas Raiders when they played their first game at Allegiant Stadium in 2020; they emerged triumphant with a score of 34-24 against the New Orleans Saints. Conversely, the Los Angeles Chargers suffered a setback in their opening game at the same venue, losing 23-20 in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons since 2017, bore witness to a winning debut as the Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 34-23. However, their regular season opponents, the Minnesota Vikings, who took residence in U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016, secured a narrow victory with a 17-14 win over the Packers. Similarly, the Levi's Stadium, where the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers share their home turf since 2014, witnessed a 20-17 triumph for the Rams in their first game, while the Chargers succumbed to a 23-20 overtime loss against the Chiefs.
In contrast, the 49ers suffered a narrow defeat, 28-20, against the Chicago Bears in their inaugural game at Levi's Stadium. The MetLife Stadium, hosting both the New York Giants and New York Jets since 2010, saw the Giants claim victory with a 31-18 win over the Carolina Panthers, whereas the Jets were on the losing end, 10-9, against the Baltimore Ravens. The Dallas Cowboys, who moved into AT&T Stadium in 2009, experienced a narrow loss in their first game, 33-31, against the New York Giants.
The Indianapolis Colts, who welcomed fans to Lucas Oil Stadium in 2008, faced a stinging defeat, 29-13, against the Chicago Bears. The Arizona Cardinals, residing in State Farm Stadium since 2006, achieved a winning start with a 34-27 triumph over the San Francisco 49ers. The Detroit Lions, who debuted in Ford Field in 2002, suffered a defeat, 37-31, against the Green Bay Packers.
The New England Patriots, playing in Gillette Stadium since 2002, secured a 30-14 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their opening game. The Seattle Seahawks, residing at Lumen Field since 2002, encountered a narrow defeat in their inaugural match, 24-13, against the Arizona Cardinals.
Lastly, the Houston Texans, who inaugurated Reliant Stadium in 2002, emerged victorious with an 19-10 win against the Dallas Cowboys. Despite these insights, the data do not offer a definitive prediction about the unpredictable nature of the Lions-Bills game at Highmark Stadium, taking place in the inviting weather of Orchard Park, New York. This article initially graced the pages of For The Win: How have NFL teams fared in first games at new stadiums?
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