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When the Buffalo Bills christen their new US$2.2 billion football stadium later this month, they’ll pay tribute to the city’s long-standing affinity for its Canadian neighbours on the other side of the Peace Bridge by performing O Canada along with the U.S. national anthem.

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“For the first time in Highmark Stadium history, we will celebrate the American and Canadian anthems during pregame,” the Buffalo Bills shared on X Wednesday, highlighting Canada’s Barenaked Ladies as performers for the latter.

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Auliʻi Cravalho, who voices Moana in the Disney movies of the same name, will sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the Sept. 17 game against the Detroit Lions.

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For the first time in Highmark Stadium history, we will celebrate the American and Canadian anthems during pregame.

We can’t wait to have Bills fan Auliʻi Cravalho and @barenakedladies at our home opener! pic.twitter.com/i61I37Jgvp

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) September 9, 2026

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National Post has inquired whether the organization intends to play the anthem at every regular-season game or just the home opener.

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The Bills are owned by Terry and Kim Pegula, also proprietors of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, a club that has performed O Canada at every home game — even those that didn’t feature a Canadian team. The practice began upon the team’s founding in 1970, as a nod to the many fans co-owner Seymour Knox III knew they would attract from the nearby lower Niagara and St. Catharines area in Ontario.

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When anthem singer Cami Clune’s microphone failed during a playoff game earlier this year, the Sabres faithful were quick to pick up the anthem and sing it to completion.

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Fun fact: the Sabres were named by a Canadian — Toronto filmmaker Harry Cole, who entered and won a 1969 contest to name the team — and Knox said he specifically chose the Canadian English spelling of the word to honour the Canadian fans,  according to The Hockey Writers. (The swords are sabers in the U.S.)

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Minor league baseball team the Buffalo Bisons, the AAA affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, and the National Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits also perform O Canada before home games.

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