The Buffalo Bills held a ceremony on Friday to mark the installation of the final structural steel beam at the new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Representatives from the Bills, New York State, and Erie County attended the event. The final beam was adorned with an American flag and an evergreen tree, symbolizing good luck and prosperity for the stadium’s future occupants. Partners, employees, and stakeholders involved in the project also signed the beam.
As of April 1, the stadium project is the largest construction effort in Western New York’s history. The project employs over 1,200 tradespeople daily, with that number expected to reach 1,500 during the summer. A total of 25,101 tons of steel have been set, and 223,088 bolts are used to secure the steel connections. The precast concrete seating bowl is complete, and the roof canopy installation, including a snow melt system, is ongoing. Grading and utility work for the playing field have begun, with the field expected to be installed in the fall of 2025. The project is currently about 50% complete, with a projected completion date of July 2026. The current stadium will be demolished in March 2027, following the Bills’ first full season in the new facility.
Originally estimated at $1.4 billion, the cost of the new stadium has risen to over $2.1 billion due to increasing labor, material, and construction costs, partly stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bills’ owner, Terry Pegula, will cover the increased costs, while Erie County will contribute $250 million, and New York State will provide $600 million.
Following the demolition of the current stadium, discussions are underway about the future development of the surrounding area, which is a topic of interest for the organization, local residents, and state officials.
