Buffalo Bills to Play ‘O Canada’ for the First Time at New Highmark Stadium Opener

Highmark Stadium to Play “O Canada” for First Time

The pre-game ceremony features the rock group Barenaked Ladies performing “O Canada” alongside American singer and actress Auliʻi Cravalho, who will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” according to a social media announcement from the franchise.

Tariffs and Trade Tensions Strain Relations

The decision to welcome Canadian fans with their national anthem comes at a time of rising economic and political tensions between Canada and the United States.

On Tuesday, a wave of retaliatory tariffs enacted by Canada officially took effect, imposing duties ranging from 15 to 50 per cent on various U.S. goods. In direct response, U.S. President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders implementing bans on specific Canadian products, including alcohol and select dairy items.

Cross-Border Boycotts and Naming Disputes

Geopolitical friction has also bled into cross-border tourism and geographic naming disputes. In late August, the U.S. administration issued an executive order asserting that Lake Ontario should be designated as “Lake America.” Concurrently, numerous Canadian travelers have opted to boycott trips across the southern border.

According to Statistics Canada figures released in July, return border crossings from the United States plummeted by over 25 per cent in 2025 compared to the previous year, with early indicators pointing toward a continuation of that downward trend.

A Deeply Integrated Fan Base in Southern Ontario

Despite these broader economic headwinds, the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres maintain a deeply integrated fan base rooted in southern Ontario, particularly the Niagara region.

Because of Buffalo’s immediate proximity to the Canadian border, both organizations rely on support from across the Niagara region. The Sabres occupy a unique position as the sole franchise in the National Hockey League that performs both the Canadian and American anthems regardless of what team they are facing.

Reviving Memories of the Toronto Series

The upcoming anthem presentation also revives memories of the franchise’s past efforts to capture the broader Ontario market.

Between 2008 and 2013, the Bills hosted the “Toronto Series,” playing one home game a season at the Rogers Centre.

High Expectations for the Opener

The squad enters the autumn slate following a 12-5 campaign last year. The Sept. 17 matchup against the Lions serves as the official grand opening for the team’s facility.

The Bills will conclude their preparations over the coming days ahead of the showdown. Kickoff time and broadcast designations remain locked in for the mid-September fixture, where the sound of two anthems will officially inaugurate a new chapter for the venue.