Game Weekend

Week 4 · 2026 season

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

Highmark Stadium, Buffalo

Date
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Kickoff
1:00 PM stadium local time

NFL dates and kickoff times can change. Check the Buffalo Bills schedule before booking travel you cannot change. Listing reviewed 2026-09-23.

Plan this game weekendHotels near Highmark Stadium

Where visiting fans stay

Each area changes how you reach Highmark Stadium and how you get back.

Orchard Park / stadium sideBeing close to the gates on game day

Sleep a few minutes from the stadium on Southwestern Boulevard, away from the city.

To the stadium
From the Red Carpet Inn, walk to the gate on your ticket and follow traffic staff at the crossings. From the Orchard Park Motel, drive to the lot on your parking pass.
After the game
Walk back the way you came, or wait in the lot until traffic clears; lots close two hours after the game ends.
The tradeoff
Budget motels only; there’s no full-service hotel beside the stadium.
Downtown Buffalo / CanalsideA city weekend with the game as one day of it

Stay in the city for dinners, breweries and the waterfront, and ride the game-day bus.

To the stadium
Walk to the Metropolitan Transportation Center at 181 Ellicott Street and board route 253. Arrive 10–15 minutes early; seats are limited.
After the game
Board route 253 at the stadium transit center near Abbott Road and Southwestern Boulevard at the return times NFTA posts for that game. If the game runs long, the first buses leave about 30 minutes after it ends.
The tradeoff
The stadium is a separate trip to Orchard Park, and the game-day bus runs only a few times each way.
Airport / Williamsville–AmherstFly-in fans with a rental car

A practical base near Buffalo Niagara International Airport, with free hotel breakfast.

To the stadium
Drive to the lot printed on your parking pass and follow the approach the Bills publish for that lot; Abbott Road is closed to cars on game days.
After the game
Walk back to your lot and follow traffic staff; some roads close to one direction after the game.
The tradeoff
Neither hotel is near the stadium or a Game Day Express stop, so the game is a separate trip.

Hotels for this game

All 6 hotels

Orchard Park / stadium side

Red Carpet Inn Orchard Park

The motel describes itself as immediately adjacent to the Bills stadium. It’s the closest hotel to the stadium in this guide.

  • Walk route
  • Drive
Check rooms for Red Carpet Inn Orchard Park (opens in a new tab)on ExpediaWe may earn a commission.

A simple motel with microwave and mini-fridge rooms. Check game-weekend rates, minimum stays and cancellation terms directly.

Stadium travel & hotel details
Getting to the game
From the Red Carpet Inn, walk to the gate on your ticket and follow traffic staff at the crossings. From the Orchard Park Motel, drive to the lot on your parking pass.
Getting back
Walk back the way you came, or wait in the lot until traffic clears; lots close two hours after the game ends.
Address
3940 Southwestern Boulevard, Orchard Park, NY 14127
Hotel website

Downtown Buffalo / Canalside

Curtiss Hotel

A 68-room boutique hotel in the restored Harlow C. Curtiss building, with Chez Ami downstairs and a rooftop lounge.

  • Rail / transit
  • Rideshare
Check rooms for Curtiss Hotel (opens in a new tab)on ExpediaWe may earn a commission.

The Game Day Express leaves from the Metropolitan Transportation Center, several blocks away. Check the hotel’s parking terms when you book.

Stadium travel & hotel details
Getting to the game
Walk to the Metropolitan Transportation Center at 181 Ellicott Street and board route 253. Arrive 10–15 minutes early; seats are limited.
Getting back
Board route 253 at the stadium transit center near Abbott Road and Southwestern Boulevard at the return times NFTA posts for that game. If the game runs long, the first buses leave about 30 minutes after it ends.
Address
210 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Hotel website

Airport / Williamsville–Amherst

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Buffalo Airport

Minutes from BUF with a free 24/7 airport shuttle and free breakfast.

  • Drive
Check rooms for La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Buffalo Airport (opens in a new tab)on ExpediaWe may earn a commission.

The airport shuttle isn’t a game shuttle. Plan your own way to Orchard Park.

Stadium travel & hotel details
Getting to the game
Drive to the lot printed on your parking pass and follow the approach the Bills publish for that lot; Abbott Road is closed to cars on game days.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot and follow traffic staff; some roads close to one direction after the game.
Address
6619 Transit Road, Williamsville, NY 14221
Hotel website

Tickets

To the game and back

The return is its own decision. Read it before you choose where to stay.

Walk from the Red Carpet InnOrchard Park / stadium sidewalk
Getting there
Walk from the motel on Southwestern Boulevard to the security gate for your seats. Security gates open three hours before kickoff and ticket entries two hours before.
Getting back
Walk back the same way. Big Tree Road closes to one direction of traffic after the game, so expect crowds and follow traffic staff at crossings.

The Bills publish no pedestrian route from nearby motels. Leave time for road crossings, crowds and metal-detector screening at gates B–F.

Route information
Drive from Orchard Park or West SenecaOrchard Park / stadium sidedrive
Getting there
Buy a parking pass for a named lot before game day, then approach that lot the way the Bills describe. Lots open four hours before kickoff.
Getting back
Lots close two hours after the game ends. Big Tree Road (Route 20A) closes to westbound traffic from Fieldhouse Drive to Route 219 after the game.

No parking is sold on game day except in the accessible lots. A pass is valid only for the lot printed on it, one car per space.

Route information
Game Day Express from downtownDowntown Buffalo / Canalsidetransit
Getting there
Board NFTA Game Day Express route 253 at the Metropolitan Transportation Center, 181 Ellicott Street. For the Sept. 27 Chargers game (1 p.m.), buses leave at 8:00, 8:30, 10:20 and 11:20 a.m. Fare $5 each way, exact cash or Token Transit.
Getting back
Board at the stadium transit center near Abbott Road and Southwestern Boulevard. For the Sept. 27 game, route 253 returns at 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.; if the game runs long, the first buses leave about 30 minutes after it ends.

NFTA posts each game’s schedule the week before and says times can change. Service is limited and demand is high. Metro passes aren’t valid, and eating and drinking aren’t allowed on board.

Route information
Rideshare from downtownDowntown Buffalo / Canalsiderideshare
Getting there
Plan the drop-off around the game-day road closures: Abbott Road is closed to cars between Bills Drive and the White ADA Lot.
Getting back
Leave through Entry 3 and Gate B and cross the ECC South Campus to the rideshare zone at its eastern end.

The Bills warn that Western New York doesn’t have enough rideshare drivers for a quick departure, especially after night games, and ask fans to have a backup plan.

Route information
Drive from the airport areaAirport / Williamsville–Amherstdrive
Getting there
Drive to the lot printed on your advance parking pass and follow the Bills’ approach for that lot. Abbott Road is closed to cars six hours before kickoff.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot. Lots close two hours after the game ends, and parts of Big Tree Road run one way only after the game.

No game-day parking sales except in the cashless accessible lots. Game Day Express route 254 serves Eastern Hills Mall, but neither hotel is within walking distance of it.

Route information

Before kickoff

All food picks
Beef on weck and traditional Buffalo fare

Schwabl’s

Hand-carved roast beef on kümmelweck with German potato salad, a classic Buffalo lunch.

Open Tue–Sat 11:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Closed Sundays and Mondays, and on Thanksgiving, so plan it for the day before.

Website
Beef on weck

Charlie the Butcher’s Kitchen

Buffalo’s roast beef on weck, about a mile from the airport.

Mon–Sat 10 a.m.–8 p.m. The page lists Sunday as “11:00 pm to 8:00 pm”, so call (716) 633-8330 to confirm Sunday hours. Closed Thanksgiving.

Website

More New England Patriots road games

More games at Highmark Stadium

Put the whole weekend together.

A base, a good meal and both stadium journeys, built around New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills.

Plan this game weekend