Bills play U.S. and Canadian anthems at Highmark Stadium opening
The Buffalo Bills said the decision to play both the U. S. and Canadian national anthems at the debut of Highmark Stadium was meant to support the team’s business expansion into Southern Ontario, NBC Sports reported. The performance took place before the Bills’ home opener against the Detroit Lions on 17 September.
The anthem plan had been announced earlier in the week as part of a cross-border marketing strategy, with the team citing a large Canadian fan base despite ongoing U. S. –Canada trade tensions. The Bills defeated Detroit 41–31 in the inaugural game, and the dual-anthem ceremony drew criticism from some fans and commentators who questioned honoring a foreign nation during an all-American matchup.