Touchdown! Hochul, Buffalo Bills & Erie County announce completion of $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium

New, 60,000-seat, state-of-the-art stadium will keep team in Western New York for next 30 years

√ Economic impact said to far exceed public contribution to WNY’s largest construction project

√ First scrimmage game set for Aug. 8

Test, photos & video submitted by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul 

Gov. Kathy Hochul, the Buffalo Bills and Erie County on Tuesday celebrated the official completion of the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. The massive, public-private partnership marks the largest construction project in Western New York history, delivering a state-of-the-art, open-air entertainment venue that secures the franchise’s home in Buffalo for the next 30 years. Spanning 1.6 million square feet on a 242-acre site, the facility will host its first public event Aug. 8 with the Bills’ inaugural scrimmage game, the Blue & Red practice under the lights.

“Welcome to the new home of the Buffalo Bills! Today, we are not just opening a stadium; we are cementing the Buffalo Bills’ rightful place in Western New York for generations to come,” Hochul said. “We are profoundly grateful to Terry and Kim Pegula for their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to Buffalo, and the hardworking men and women of labor who have made this idea a reality. This state-of-the-art facility represents a historic investment in our community, creating thousands of good-paying jobs and delivering a world-class experience for the best fans in the NFL. New York state promised to keep the Bills home, and today we fulfill that promise with a stadium that matches the relentless energy and grit of Buffalo.”

Buffalo Bills Owner Terry Pegula said, “Our journey began on June 5, 2023, when several of us stood out here with shovels in our hands at the ceremonial groundbreaking of Highmark Stadium. Highmark has been a true partnership – a partnership between government, private business, the NFL and our fans, the Bills Mafia. I made a promise to our workers that somehow we would have their names visible on the stadium where their offspring and friends could come and look and see their name on the side of the stadium. It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s one thing to get the money, and it’s another thing to get it done.”

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said, “Today's opening of the new home for the Buffalo Bills marks a historic moment for Erie County, New York state, the team and Bills fans everywhere and is the culmination of many years of hard work. More importantly, today's stadium opening ensures the Bills stay in the only community it has ever known and will belong for the next generation and beyond. I thank Gov. Hochul, Terry and Kim Pegula, the Bills organization, the Erie County Stadium Corp., the NFL, Erie County Department of Public Works Commissioner William Geary and his team, and all of our partners who helped make this project a reality for our region. Most importantly, I thank the thousands of skilled men and women of local labor who built this stadium and helped ensure that hundreds of millions of dollars were invested back into our community. This project is a win for Erie County taxpayers, a win for our local workforce, a win for our economy and a win for the greatest football fans in the NFL. Go Bills!”

Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park (Images provided by the Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul)

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More than 600 guests gathered outside the stadium to celebrate the milestone, achieved just 34 months after the initial groundbreaking. Designed by the Bills in collaboration with Legends and architecture firm Populous, the project represents a major triumph for regional labor and diverse business utilization:

•Labor force: Approximately 6,000 craft workers clocked roughly 5 million labor hours to build the venue.

•MWBE participation: The project surpassed New York’s nation-leading 30% Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) participation goal, yielding more than $490 million in payments to MWBE participants.

•Local contracts: More than $250 million in contracts were awarded directly to regional Western New York MWBE firms.

•Return on investment: The long-term economic impact generated by the venue is projected to exceed the public contribution to the project.

Standing at 116 feet above grade, nearly double the height of the previous stadium, the new Highmark Stadium features views of Lake Erie, downtown Buffalo, and the Boston Hills. Built to withstand Western New York winters while maximizing fan comfort, the venue includes a 60,108-seat capacity (plus standing room) and the following premier amenities:

•Engineered canopy: A 360-degree canopy covers 64% of the seating bowl, specifically designed to mitigate exterior wind factors and eliminate swirling winds on the playing field.

•Advanced heating technology: Equipped with heated concourses, radiant heating above some seats, and the world’s largest stadium snow-melt system that utilizes roof sensors to automatically monitor and melt snow accumulations.

•Elite playing surface: A premium Kentucky bluegrass field cultivated by Tuckahoe Turf Farms. The field features underground heating coils to prevent freezing, alongside sub-air ventilation, state-of-the-art sub-air technology, and grow lights to preserve optimal turf conditions year-round.

•Acoustics and tech: Two state-of-the-art video scoreboards paired with an industry-leading, high-fidelity sound system.

•Community culture: Integration of the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program, showcasing site-specific permanent collections created by more than 45 artists in partnership with thousands of local community members. The stadium’s welcome plaza features a signature sculpture of an American Bison family.

•Accessibility & infrastructure: Complete compliance and accessibility for individuals with disabilities, premium suites, loge seating, club levels, administrative offices, broadcast facilities, and modern food-service kitchens.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, “As someone who grew up in Western New York, I could not be more excited for the official opening of Highmark Stadium. This public-private partnership is a win for one of the most passionate fan bases in the NFL and a credit to the Buffalo Bills, New York state and Erie County. This incredible stage will boost the local economy and serve as the new backdrop for a lifetime of football memories. We look forward to kicking off the first game there this September.”

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Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The ribbon-cutting at the new Buffalo Bills stadium represents the spectacular realization of Gov. Hochul’s vision, transitioning a massive construction triumph into a premier engine for regional prosperity. At Empire State Development, we are incredibly proud that this iconic venue was built with a steadfast dedication to our community, successfully meeting our ambitious MWBE commitments. Generating more than $385 million in annual economic impact, this stadium is more than a world-class sports destination, it is a lasting monument to New York’s economic vitality, diversity and collective pride.”

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, “The new Highmark Stadium not only provides a world-class home for the Buffalo Bills but also represents a significant investment in Western New York and its workers. The project proudly used union labor, including both apprentices and journeyworkers, and engaged local minority and women-owned businesses as essential partners. I thank Gov. Hochul for her leadership on this project that provided 6,000 jobs during construction and will employ thousands more New Yorkers for years to come.”

Erie County Stadium Corp. President Steven Ranalli said, “This stadium is more than just steel, concrete and turf; it represents the tireless dedication of hundreds of hard-working women and men who poured their hearts into building a world-class home for Buffalo. To the community, the fans, and every crew member who made this vision a reality – this house belongs to you, and today, we officially open a new chapter in Bills history.”

Gilbane-Turner Principal-in-Charge and Gilbane Building SVP John LaRow said, “Today represents the culmination of millions of hours of work from local and diverse businesses and skilled tradespeople who rolled up their sleeves to build the new home of the Buffalo Bills. Together, they created a testament to the hardworking spirit of Western New York and a place that will strengthen the region and create lasting community impact. Highmark Stadium belongs to the entire region, and we are so proud to have worked alongside the Bills, the Hochul administration and New York state, and Erie County to help deliver this remarkable new complex. We cannot wait for fans to enjoy their new home this year and for decades to come.”

Gilbane-Turner Principal-in-Charge and Turner Construction Company Vice President Carl Stewart said, “Delivering a stadium of this scale and significance required extraordinary collaboration, innovation and commitment from thousands of people over several years. From the earliest planning stages through construction, our team worked alongside the Buffalo Bills, Gilbane, New York state, Erie County, trade partners, and the local community to create a world-class venue that reflects the passion of Bills fans and the strength of Western New York. We are honored to have helped build a stadium that will stand as a symbol of what can be achieved through partnership, craftsmanship, and a shared commitment to the region.”

New York State's Chief Disability Officer Kim Ridley said, “From day one, our approach to the new Bills stadium wasn’t about checking a box; it was about being intentional, proactive and deeply collaborative. True inclusion can’t be designed in a vacuum. By actively engaging local disability community members and listening to their feedback, we were able to shape a venue that reflects real lived experiences. This achievement, led by Gov. Hochul's deep commitment to accessibility and inclusion as a whole, is a direct result of our close partnership with the Erie County Office for People with Disabilities and the dedication of my team at the Office of the Chief Disability Officer. Together, we haven’t just ensured the new stadium complies with regulations, we’ve helped build a community space where every single fan truly belongs.”

State Sen. April N.M. Baskin said, “Today we celebrate more than a new stadium – we celebrate the workers, entrepreneurs and small businesses that helped build it. From the beginning, I pushed to ensure minority- and women-owned businesses had a meaningful opportunity to participate in this once-in-a-generation project, and I am proud that those efforts resulted in the highest MWBE participation of any public-private partnership project in Western New York history. The economic impact of this investment will be felt for decades to come, and its legacy will be measured not only by what was built, but by the local businesses that grew and succeeded because they had a chance to be part of it.”

State Sen. Patrick Gallivan said, “The new Highmark Stadium is spectacular inside and out and something that Bills fans and residents of Western New York can take immense pride in. I congratulate everyone involved in making this state-of-the-art facility a reality, including the thousands of workers who kept the project on schedule. The stadium will serve as the home of the Bills for decades to come and will generate revenue that far exceeds the investment made by taxpayers. Kickoff cannot come soon enough. Go Bills.”

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, “Today we celebrate a new era of Buffalo Bills football with the completion of the new Highmark Stadium. The completion of this project is a triumph for labor – approximately 6,000 workers and 5 million labor hours helped get the stadium over the finish line. Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise has exceeded state participation goals. There are many more wins when it comes to the new Highmark Stadium, and we hope this leads to the ultimate victory for our Bills. But right now, let us celebrate this momentous achievement and thank everyone involved for making this a reality ahead of the 2026 National Football League season.”

Assembly member Karen McMahon said, “This is a truly historic day for the Western New York community and the entire state of New York. As we cut the ribbon on the new home of the Buffalo Bills, we salute government partners from local, county and state levels who cleared the way for this milestone. We also celebrate this remarkable building and the culmination of the largest construction project in WNY history thanks to the dedicated work from our brothers and sisters in organized labor. I know I join Bills fans everywhere in eager anticipation of the first kickoff in this new stadium.”

Assembly member Patrick Burke said, “This stadium belongs to Western New York. It's the result of nearly 6,000 workers putting in 5 million hours, local businesses helping make this development possible every step of the way, and a community that has supported the Bills through every season. Today is proof that, when we invest in our people and our region, we can build something that will make Buffalo proud for generations.”

Assembly member Bill Conrad said, “This partnership wasn't just about keeping our beloved Bills in Buffalo; it is about job creation, business and economic development, and tourism revenue, as well. Our investment in a state-of-the-art stadium will serve a signal to everyone who tunes into a football game: Western New York has top-tier union workers, an unwavering pride of place, and a sense of community that is never more fully on display than during a season of Buffalo Bills football. I thank all who worked to make this happen – including, of course, the skilled builders of the construction trades – and look forward to enjoying a game at the new Highmark Stadium.”

New York State Building and Construction Trades Council President Gary LaBarbera said, "The completion of the brand-new Highmark Stadium is not only a major milestone for the Buffalo Bills, but also the upstate communities that will continue to benefit from the economic stimulus this monumental construction project generates. For the thousands of tradespeople who contributed to its construction, this new, state-of-the-art stadium is a testament to their craftsmanship, the power and efficiency of union labor, and the pathway to the middle class that this union project created for them and their families. We are proud of the role our members played in making this critical moment for Western New York and one of our state's beloved sports franchises possible. And like many football fans throughout the state, we look forward to seeing Highmark Stadium host its first piece of action this coming August."

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said, “The completion of the new Highmark Stadium is an important milestone for Western New York and, of course, Bills fans. Throughout construction, this project created thousands of jobs and generated opportunities for local businesses, contractors and workers across our region. As the stadium opens, we look forward to the economic activity, tourism and major events it will attract while ensuring the Bills remain part of our community for decades to come. Bills fans have waited a long time for this day, and I’m excited to see the next generation of memories made here.”

ESD is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. For more information, visit esd.ny.gov, or connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook and X.