ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — It’s a day that has been years in the making.
The Buffalo Bills held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday and officially opened the new Highmark Stadium, but the story of the new stadium really began more than a decade ago.
You can watch the full ceremony below and continue reading for a timeline of how we got here.
Buffalo Bills hold ribbon cutting ceremony and officially open new Highmark Stadium
HOW WE GOT HERE
In September 2014, Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the Bills for about $1.4 billion, helping ensure the franchise would remain in Western New York for years to come.
Fast forward to March 2022, when New York State, Erie County, and the Bills announced a tentative agreement to build a new open-air stadium in Orchard Park. At the time, the project carried a price tag of just over $1 billion. Taxpayers would pay $850 million of that.
Just over a year later, in May 2023, final agreements were approved. The deal included a 30-year lease, cementing the Bills’ future in Western New York for decades and officially clearing the way for construction.
On June 5, 2023, shovels hit the dirt as officials gathered for the stadium’s groundbreaking ceremony. Construction quickly ramped up. By January 2024, project leaders marked the start of major structural steel work. More than 800 workers had already contributed to the project – the largest in local history.
As construction picked up steam, so did the cost. In December 2024, the project’s estimated price rose to approximately $2.1 billion, with the Pegulas responsible for covering all costs above that original public-private funding agreement.
In April 2025, another major milestone. Crews hoisted into place the final major structural steel beam, known as the “topping out” ceremony.
The 2025 season served as a farewell tour for the Bills’ current home, which first opened in 1973.
And the Bills went out in style on January 4th – with a 35-8 blowout of the Jets.
And now, the moment Bills Mafia has been waiting for, the new Highmark Stadium, the only NFL stadium in New York State, is finally ready for its close-up.
WATCH: The road to Highmark Stadium: How the Buffalo Bills new home went from idea to reality
The road to Highmark Stadium: How the Buffalo Bills new home went from idea to reality
NEW STADIUM BY THE NUMBERS
The numbers help tell the story of the largest construction project in Western New York history.
The $2.1 billion stadium is more than a million square feet, with about 60,000 seats. Nearly two-thirds of the seats are covered by the massive canopy roof.
There are two state-of-the-art video boards and heated concourses with 360-degree views so you won’t miss a play while grabbing some food or drinks.
It took about 210,000 bolts to connect some 21,000 pieces of steel. The heaviest came in at 80,000 pounds!
None of it could have happened without the many men and women hard at work, about 10,000 union tradespeople in all over the three-year construction period. Add it up and you’re talking about 6.2 million hours of labor.
With most of the work done, the focus now shifts to the opening season of football, though the stadium is described as a “365-day” venue.
WATCH: By the numbers: Inside the construction of Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills
By the numbers: Inside the construction of Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills
TAKING YOU THROUGH THE NEW HIGHMARK STADIUM
Come with us on a journey through the stadium that the team says will be “more than just football,” although it will be football first. You’ll also hear from Terry Pegula, Kathy Hochul and Pete Guelli in the video below.
WATCH: Taking you through Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills
Taking you through Highmark Stadium, the new home of the Buffalo Bills
7 SPORTS SHARES INSTANT REACTION FROM STADIUM TOUR
7 Sports’ Matt Bové and Dom Tibbetts were also at the stadium on Tuesday and went on multiple tours throughout the morning, capturing video and taking in all the bells and whistles. Matt and Dom share their takeaways and favorite parts of the new stadium in the video below.
WATCH: New Highmark Stadium brings all the bells and whistles to Orchard Park
New Highmark Stadium brings all the bells and whistles to Orchard Park
OPENING OF NEW STADIUM SPARKS HOPE FOR GROWTH IN ORCHARD PARK
For years, Louie’s Texas Red Hots has been a gameday staple in Orchard Park. Now, the new stadium towers over its parking lot.
The stadium has taken shape piece by piece, and Jennifer Crevatin has watched it all unfold. She’s hoping the stadium’s opening brings even more people to the area and that’s one reason she believes Orchard Park could use more places for visitors to stay.
Customers Edward Carlson and Lester Ormsby — both self-described big Bills fans — echoed Crevatin’s sentiment. They said while they’re excited for a new era of Bills football, they believe the community around the stadium could keep growing too.
WATCH: New Highmark Stadium opens, sparking hopes for growth in Orchard Park
New Highmark Stadium opens, sparking hopes for growth in Orchard Park
FANS RAISE AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS
Bills fans gathered outside the new stadium, eager to catch a first look at the team’s new home — though many said the cost of attending a game remains a serious concern.
WATCH: Fans raise affordability concerns as Buffalo Bills open new Highmark Stadium
Fans raise affordability concerns as Buffalo Bills open new Highmark Stadium
