Key facts
- Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula and Mary Wilson, widow of founder Ralph Wilson, attended the ribbon-cutting for the new Highmark Stadium.
- The new stadium cost $2.1 billion to construct, replacing the team's former home.
- The facility features enhanced amenities, a grass field, and a reduced capacity of over 60,000.
- The Pegula family is covering $700 million in cost overruns for the project.
- The stadium will host its first event, the "Blue and Red Scrimmage," on August 8.
Buffalo Bills owner Terry Pegula became emotional during the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the team's new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium, referencing his wife Kim's passion for the project before she fell ill. Mary Wilson, widow of the team's founder Ralph Wilson, also spoke, reflecting on her husband's legacy.
The new stadium, located across the street from the former facility, represents a significant upgrade with modern amenities, including palatial lounges, wide concourses, local artwork, and a curved roof covering about 60% of the seats. The capacity has been reduced from 73,000 to just over 60,000 to create a more intimate environment with improved sightlines. The team has also transitioned from artificial turf to a Kentucky bluegrass field with underground heating.
The project's initial cost was projected at $1.4 billion, with $850 million contributed by New York State and Erie County. The Pegula family is covering the remaining $700 million in cost overruns, supplemented by seat-licensing sales and an NFL loan program.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul expressed pride in the new stadium, anticipating it will be a venue for making memories and winning championships. The stadium's first official event will be the Bills' annual "Blue and Red Scrimmage" on August 8, followed by home preseason games against Carolina on August 15 and Pittsburgh on August 27.