The Buffalo Bills will play their first game at the new Highmark Stadium in August as the 2026 preseason schedule has been announced.
Although the main attention was focused on the regular season, another part of the 2026 Buffalo Bills schedule was announced on Thursday night. We now know when the Bills will officially get back to game action with the full preseason schedule.
This year, the Bills will have two home preseason games, meaning that fans will have two chances to experience a game at the new Highmark Stadium before the games that count begin.
The preseason kicks off Saturday, August 15, at 1pm, with a home game against the Carolina Panthers. The two teams last played in the preseason in 2024, a game that was won by Carolina 31-26.
That's followed up by a game in Cleveland against the Browns a week later, on August 22, at 1pm. It had been previously confirmed by general manager Brandon Beane that the Bills and Browns had an agreement in place for a joint practice ahead of a preseason game.
As far as games go, the last time the two teams played in the preseason was in Josh Allen's rookie year in 2018. And if you're wondering, Allen went 9-of-13 for 60 yards and a touchdown in that game.
Finally, the team returns home for one more game on Thursday, August 27, at 7pm against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two teams also played in 2024, with the Bills winning 9-3.
All of the games will air locally on WIVB in Buffalo. Any nationally broadcast games will be announced as the preseason gets closer. If you are planning to listen to the games on the radio, the Bills will have a new home for games this season as well.
If you are looking for the rest of the Bills' 2026 schedule, check out when the team is playing, including all seven prime time games.
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