Highmark Stadium
On the 10th of February 2014, Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration appointed Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster to a new study board. This group included Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy and Empire State Development President Kenneth Adams. Their task was to discuss the feasibility of a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills. The County of Erie added its own members on the 6th of March 2014. Kathy Hochul served as one of these appointees while working at M&T Bank. Richard Tobe joined the panel as Deputy Erie County Executive.
The Bills selected their representatives shortly after owner Ralph Wilson died on the 27th of March 2014. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Bills CEO Russ Brandon were among those chosen. Local developer Louis Ciminelli also sat on this initial panel. The group held its first meeting on the 1st of April 2014. Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula joined the working group later that year on the 5th of November 2014.
AECOM released a report in mid-January 2015 detailing suggested sites based on land cost and infrastructure needs. The study narrowed options to four specific locations. By the 31st of July 2015, the Pegulas stated they had no immediate plans to pursue a new stadium. The situation remained unchanged through November 2017. In March 2018, the owners entered early stages of exploring long-term options. They planned to begin planning after the November 2018 gubernatorial elections since state funding would be required.
The estimated cost for the stadium reached $1.7 billion by the 9th of August 2023. This figure increased by $300 million due to higher labor and material costs. Under the agreement with New York State, taxpayers will pay $850 million of the construction cost. Six hundred million dollars comes from New York State while Erie County contributes $250 million. The Bills contribute $350 million themselves. The National Football League provides a G-4 loan of $200 million.
Economics professor Victor Matheson described this deal as one of the worst stadium deals in recent memory. Neil deMause criticized the financing plan for not taking present value of money fully into account. Much of the construction money is paid upfront while hoped-for economic increases take place over thirty years. The state pays all maintenance and repair costs once the stadium opens. This represents the largest taxpayer contribution ever for an NFL facility.
Four hundred eighteen million dollars of the state's funding comes from funds seized from the Seneca Nation of New York. These funds were overdue under a compact to operate three casinos. The state also contributes $100 million over fifteen years for maintenance. An additional six million dollars per year goes toward capital improvements throughout the lease term.
Ceremonial groundbreaking occurred on the 5th of June 2023, leading into excavation work over the following months. By March 2024, excavation was nearly complete with concrete pouring beginning. Steel beam assembly started that same month. Observers noted the design similarity to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London by August 2024. Metal panels added weatherproofing inspired by Kleinhans Music Hall.
The steel structure topped out on the 4th of April 2025 as the final beam was added. Terry Pegula and his daughter Laura attended alongside Governor Hochul and Roger Goodell. A minor fire broke out on the 14th of December 2025 during welding operations. Sparks from grinding caused the blaze but it was extinguished without injuries or significant damage. No delay to construction resulted from this incident.
Populous designed the stadium after creating Sahlen Field in downtown Buffalo. They have designed twelve other active NFL stadiums sharing numerous features with this new venue. The 67,000 capacity facility will be built adjacent to Erie Community College's south campus across the street from the existing Highmark Stadium. The old stadium will be demolished once the new one completes.
During the excavation phase in September 2023, a fan jumped over a fence guarding the construction site. He fell into a hole thirty to forty feet deep. Security personnel found him covered in human excrement under the influence of drugs and alcohol before removing him from the site. Throughout the remainder of the Bills' 2023 season, fans continued jumping into the stadium area later nicknamed The Pit.
A superstition developed that Feeding the Pit would lead to a Bills win. This belief coincided with the team going on a six-game winning streak entering the playoffs. Someone had fallen into the stadium site before each game during that stretch. The Bills and the Erie County Sheriff's Office increased security around the site in response to these unauthorized entries. The phenomenon became known as Feeding The Pit among local supporters.
The first major Buffalo Bills stadium proposal appeared in 2012 when George Hasiotis and Nicholas Stracick presented a plan to the Buffalo Common Council. Their October 23 rendering included a $1.4 billion retractable roof stadium for the Outer Harbor. The project also featured a convention center, hotel, and sports museum. At first this plan met cynicism regarding its feasibility.
On December 11, the company met with AFL-CIO members discussing job creation numbers said to be ten thousand. Howard Zemsky opposed granting options on waterfront land stating they were not doing that. By the 26th of August 2014, the Outer Harbor site was ruled out after studies showed at least four bridges needed building to service traffic increases.
Another proposal called Olympia Sports Park emerged on the 11th of May 2014 slightly south of the previous site. An Artvoice magazine issue from the 7th of August 2014 detailed a downtown plan east of KeyBank Center. AECOM recommended four sites including along the Buffalo River and Ohio Street. Land bordered by Illinois, Exchange, Michigan and Perry Streets remained another possibility considered during negotiations.
New Era Cap Company held rights of first refusal for naming until surrendering them in 2020. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield entered an initial ten-year agreement on the 29th of March 2021. The Bills announced on the 5th of June 2023 that their deal had been extended during the groundbreaking ceremony. Ron Raccuia referred to it as a long-term deal without releasing specific terms. Highmark had rights of first refusal which wrapped quickly.
On the 10th of October 2025, National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman committed to hosting a future NHL Winter Classic. The league set a nonbinding target for the 2028 event celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Ice Bowl at the previous stadium. The new venue will not include a roof making it ineligible to host Super Bowls. Civic leaders argued Buffalo lacked infrastructure for such large events outside football anyway. Western New York's harsh winters play into the team's decision to keep the stadium open-air.
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Common questions
When did Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration appoint the study board for Highmark Stadium?
Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration appointed Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown and Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster to a new study board on the 10th of February 2014. This group included Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy and Empire State Development President Kenneth Adams.
What is the total estimated cost for the construction of Highmark Stadium as of August 2023?
The estimated cost for the stadium reached $1.7 billion by the 9th of August 2023. This figure increased by $300 million due to higher labor and material costs.
Where will the new Highmark Stadium be located in relation to existing landmarks?
The 67,000 capacity facility will be built adjacent to Erie Community College's south campus across the street from the existing Highmark Stadium. The old stadium will be demolished once the new one completes.
How much money does New York State contribute to the financing of Highmark Stadium?
Six hundred million dollars comes from New York State while Erie County contributes $250 million. Taxpayers will pay $850 million of the construction cost under the agreement with New York State.
When did steel beam assembly begin at the Highmark Stadium construction site?
Steel beam assembly started in March 2024 following nearly complete excavation work. Concrete pouring also began that same month during the early stages of structural development.