The Buffalo Bills have offered an apparent gesture of international goodwill ahead of the season opener at their new home stadium near the U.S.-Canada border, coming amid an intensifying trade dispute between the two countries.
In an announcement posted on X, the NFL franchise confirmed that pre-game ceremonies next Thursday will feature both the American and Canadian national anthems before the Bills’ home opener against the Detroit Lions at Highmark Stadium.
A dual anthem performance is an unusual step for an NFL team at a time when relations between Washington and Ottawa are under significant strain. President Donald Trump has implemented tariffs on Canadian imports and issued executive orders renaming landmarks along the border. In response, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has introduced retaliatory tariffs and called for reducing Canada’s trade reliance on the United States.
The Canadian rock group Barenaked Ladies, best known for their 1998 single “One Week,” is scheduled to perform “O Canada,” the team stated.
Auli’i Cravalho, the Hawaiian-born actress and singer who voiced the main character in Disney’s “Moana” animated films, will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
The team noted that performing both anthems will be a historic first for Highmark Stadium, which opened earlier this year and will host its debut NFL game next week.
Between 2008 and 2013, the Buffalo franchise hosted several games in Toronto to cultivate its Canadian fan base. However, the team did not explain the decision to include both anthems, nor did it clarify whether this would become a regular feature.
Team representatives did not respond to requests for comment on whether the gesture was meant to show support for Canada or ease tensions during the ongoing trade conflict.
The decision follows a new round of tariffs Trump imposed on Canadian goods last month, as well as an executive order aimed at renaming Lake Ontario—one of the Great Lakes bordering Buffalo—Lake America.
Trump also shared an image online showing a map of North America covered by the American flag encompassing Canada and Mexico, alongside an AI-generated image calling Carney “Governor,” repeating his frequent taunt that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.
Representatives for the Barenaked Ladies did not immediately respond to inquiries.
In the NHL, Buffalo’s hockey team, the Sabres, has routinely presented both national anthems before games.
Online responses to the Bills’ decision were mixed, with some fans expressing hostility.
“Not okay,” wrote one X user. “This is an AMERICAN sport played in AMERICA. What does Canada have to do with it.”
Another commenter welcomed the move, writing: “Love this. The Sabres have done this for years. Buffalo and Ontario have always shared a special bond. We drink Labatt, cross the Peace Bridge frequently, and see Canadians as neighbors.”
