Shaded Seats at Highmark Stadium

Highmark Stadium is the proud home of the Buffalo Bills. Known for its passionate fan base and snowy winter conditions, the stadium provides one of the most unique gameday experiences in the NFL. Fans looking to stay cool may look for shade early in the season, while those trying to keep warm may seek sunny spots later in the season. This guide will help you find the sunny or shaded seats at Highmark Stadium, whatever your preference.

Where are the seats in the shade and sun at Highmark Stadium?

As a general rule, the seats in the shade at Highmark Stadium are located:

• South Sideline: Shade on the Bills home side of the stadium

And the seats in the sun at Highmark Stadium are located:

• North Sideline: Sunny on the away team’s side of the stadium
• End Zones: Exposed to the sun until late in the day

Most Bills games at Highmark Stadium kick off at 1:00 PM, with the occasional 4:25 PM and night games sometimes mixed into the schedule. For specific details about shaded sections at different start times, please continue reading.

Highmark Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Highmark Stadium is oriented northwest to southeast. By noon, the sun is above and behind the southeast corner of the stadium. Over the course of the afternoon, it dips behind the south side of the stadium and eventually sets near the west end zone. This configuration makes the south side of the stadium the “shade side” and the north side the sunny side. The end zones are sunny for most of the day but become shaded for late afternoon games.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day on September 1st.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next event at Highmark Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Highmark Stadium Games

Highmark Stadium is currently the fourth oldest stadium in the NFL, though it has undergone multiple renovations over the years. The design is simple and symmetrical, with bowl-style seating on the 100-level and 200-level, and sideline upper decks that form the 300-level.

When the Bills are scheduled for a 1:00 PM kickoff, the majority of seats at Highmark Stadium start the game in the sun. Shade seekers should focus on the south (home) sideline. Even if these seats start the game in the sun, the sun is behind those sections, and as the game progresses, they become shaded first. Look specifically for a seat in sections 129-139, 229-239, or 328-339. The 200-level on both sidelines is partially covered by the 300-level, so seats in the last few rows are safe from both the sun and any rain, snow, or other weather elements.

Seats on the north (visitor’s) side of the stadium are largely sunny for the majority of an early afternoon game. The exception is on the 200-level where sideline sections 207-215 are partially under cover. However, shade seekers should still prefer the Bills’ side of the stadium as it is the safer bet for shade.

The sunniest sections are 107-117 at field level and 306-317 in the upper level. Seats behind both the east and west end zones are sunny for most of an early day game, though some rows may be shaded for part of the game depending on their exact location and time of day.

Choose a seat on the south side of the stadium (where the photo is taken) if you’re seeking shade or on the north side (across the field) if you like sun.
Jerome Davis/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Highmark Stadium Games

When the Bills are scheduled for a 4:25 PM game, finding shade is more straightforward. For late-afternoon games, seats on the south (home) sideline are in the shade at kickoff and stay shaded through the final down. Seats behind both the east and west end zones will also be mostly shaded by the 4:00 hour. Any seat behind an end zone that starts in the sun will quickly become shaded as the game progresses.

As the sun dips behind the stadium, a shade line forms across the playing field. Over the course of the game, it will begin to cover seats on the north sideline, starting with rows closest to the field and making their way up. On the north (visitor) side, sections 107-117 will become shaded first, followed by 206-215, and finally 306-317, which stay sunny for the longest. Fans who sit in the upper-level on the visitor side should bring sunglasses and sun protection, as the sun will set directly in front of them.

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Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of games at Highmark Stadium.