ORCHARD PARK, New York (WWNY) - Governor Kathy Hochul, the Buffalo Bills and Erie County announced Tuesday that the new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park is complete.
The 60,108-seat, open-air stadium spans 1.6 million square feet on a 242-acre site. Officials said the project is the largest construction project in Western New York history and will keep the Bills in Western New York for the next 30 years.
The stadium’s first public event is scheduled for August 8, when the Bills hold their Blue & Red practice under the lights.
Stadium project and workforce
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More than 600 guests attended a celebration outside the stadium. The milestone came 34 months after the project’s ceremonial groundbreaking.
Officials said about 6,000 craft workers logged roughly 5 million labor hours to build the venue. The project also surpassed New York’s 30% Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises participation goal, with more than $490 million in payments to MWBE participants.
More than $250 million in contracts were awarded directly to regional Western New York MWBE firms, according to the announcement.
“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.
Bills owner Terry Pegula said the project was a partnership among government, private business, the NFL and fans.
“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,” Pegula said.
Stadium features
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The new stadium stands 116 feet above grade and includes views of Lake Erie, downtown Buffalo and the Boston Hills.
Officials said a 360-degree canopy covers 64% of the seating bowl and is designed to reduce exterior wind factors and eliminate swirling winds on the playing field. The venue also includes heated concourses, radiant heating above some seats and a stadium snow-melt system that uses roof sensors to monitor and melt snow accumulation.
The playing surface is a Kentucky bluegrass field with underground heating coils, sub-air ventilation and grow lights. The stadium also includes two video scoreboards, a high-fidelity sound system, premium suites, loge seating, club levels, broadcast facilities, food-service kitchens and accessibility features for people with disabilities.
The stadium also includes the Buffalo Bills Public Art Program, with permanent collections created by more than 45 artists in partnership with local community members. A sculpture of an American bison family is featured in the welcome plaza.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league looks forward to the first game at the stadium in September.
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