Buffalo Bills' plan to feature Canadian anthem at stadium opener met with mixed reactions
The team announced Wednesday that the Canadian national anthem will be played by The Barenaked Ladies before next Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions as the Buffalo region officially opens its new $2.2 billion stadium.Auliʻi Cravalho, the voice of "Moana," will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner."As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Donald Trump continue to battle it out over tariffs, the Bills will acknowledge their Canadian fans who cross the border to use their season tickets and spend their money in the United States.
As of 2025, it was estimated that Canadians held 8,000 Bills season tickets.At that same time, 18% of Highmark Stadium personal seat license deposits were credited to Canadians.CANADIAN PM TELLS TRUMP TO 'STOP TRYING TO BE TOUGH' IN TRADE FIGHTWhat factors led to the Bills deciding to include "O Canada" in its plan for an historic night in Buffalo history? It's unclear.
OutKick reached out to the Bills to ask that question, but we have yet to hear back from the team.We would also be interested to know if the Bills plan to make "O Canada" a permanent addition to Bills games or if this is a one-time deal.A fan wears a Buffalo hat during the Bills' preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Highmark Stadium on Aug.
27, 2026.(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)Last year, even as Canada and Trump were feuding, the team was focused on making Canada a priority.‘CAPTAIN CANADA’ FIREBRAND UNLOADS ON TRUMP WITH PROFANE ONE-LINER AS TRADE WAR ESCALATES"Regardless of the climate, we’re going into Toronto," Pete Guelli, the Bills’ executive vice president and chief operating officer, told the New York Times last year.
"The passion for the Bills in that market has not subsided at all with what’s been happening."How are fans reacting to the news that the Canadian national anthem will be played at the Highmark opener? It's a mixed bag."I am Canadian.This is stupid.
You shouldn’t be playing the Canadian anthem.We don�...