Watch as Bills' new live mascot, 'Bruce the Baby Bison,' arrives outside of Highmark Stadium for TNF

The Buffalo Bills are going all-out for the official debut of their fresh stadium.

With the brand-new Highmark Stadium on full display for a "Thursday Night Football" matchup against the Lions, from a "beer horn" to a halftime show from OneRepublic, the Bills have loaded up on the fan experience in Week 2 — including a new live mascot.

Clips of a live baby bison named Bruce went viral ahead of Thursday's game, with the animal seen arriving at Highmark Stadium in his team debut.

Here's a look at the Bills' live baby bison in attendance for Thursday's game. 

MORE: Inside the Bills' new $2.2 billion stadium debuting on Thursday

Bills debut live baby bison mascot ahead of Thursday Night Football vs. Lions

Early in the day on Thursday, rumors suggested that the Bills had invited a real bison, "Baby Bruce," to their home-opener.

WYRK reported that a cage had been spotted at Highmark Stadium, with the bison making the trip from Maple Ridge Bison Ranch in Hinsdale, New York. Hours before kickoff, that became official.

Bruce was seen early in the day getting into a trailer to be taken to the game.

My Boy BRUUUUUUUCEEEE is on his way!!! pic.twitter.com/D3NnfoO6Iq

— Crusher Cam (@BuffOriginStory) September 17, 2026

He was then led into the stadium in the afternoon:

Here’s Bruce making his grand entrance at Highmark. pic.twitter.com/1pg0m3fm56

— Joe Kinsey (@JoeKinseyexp) September 17, 2026

Welcome to Bills Mafia Bruce pic.twitter.com/MiYyVP8iDE

— Blake Vargason (@22GoatedLB) September 17, 2026

It appears that the team had plans to keep Bruce in a pen outside the stadium ahead of "Thursday Night Football."

It remains unclear whether the baby bison is making anything more than a special appearance for the new stadium's debut, or if Bruce will show at future Bills games. But with the unveiling of new bison statues outside Highmark Stadium, it only adds to the spectacle in Buffalo on Thursday night for the start of a new era in the team's history.

MORE: Why fans are blasting new Bills stadium for ‘worst’ design in NFL