ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Fireworks and an oversized ribbon-cutting marked the official opening of the Buffalo Bills’ new Highmark Stadium, a project that cost more than $2.1 billion. Team owner Terry Pegula, Mary Wilson, wife of former owner Ralph Wilson Jr., and New York governor Kathy Hochul were among the speakers at the ceremony.
The facility is set to become the team’s home for the 2026 season after roughly three years of construction. The venue seats 60,108, more than 10,000 fewer fans than the previous site, and the first public event is scheduled for Aug. 8, when the Bills hold their “Return of the Blue & Red” training camp practice.
Bills senior vice president of design and stadium operations Frank Cravotta said only a very small portion of work remains, mainly finishing touches such as signage, public art and interactive elements. The new stadium was designed by Populous.
The stadium replaces synthetic turf with a natural grass playing surface and includes underground heating coils and grow lights to support year-round conditions. It also features what the team calls the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system, which uses roof sensors to monitor and remove snow automatically. A 360-degree canopy covering more than 60% of the seating bowl and a perforated metal exterior were incorporated to lessen wind; testing found winds on the playing surface were about 50% lower than outside the stadium, according to the team and design staff.
A public art program will display 46 pieces by local artists, and the names of the 5,369 people who worked on the project are listed on an exterior wall. Team president of business operations Pete Guelli said the ribbon-cutting represented the realization of the owners’ long-term vision and an exciting moment for Buffalo. Kim Pegula, who played a significant role in the project, was not in attendance while continuing to recover from a 2022 cardiac arrest.
