ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills are set to officially start construction on their new stadium.
A number of leaders from the team, New York State, and the NFL attended a groundbreaking ceremony, including Bills Owner Terry Pegula, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
"As a native Buffalonian and a life-long Bills fan, I know how much this team means to this city and region as a whole," Governor Hochul said. "As we break ground on a beautiful new stadium, we're celebrating a new era for this region and for tens of thousands of New Yorkers who stand to benefit. With this project, the Bills — and New York State — are making a lasting commitment to the people of Western New York."
Bills Owner Terry Pegula said, "Congratulations, Bills fans. We all know the Bills are the only team that actually, physically plays in the State of New York, and we're very proud of that. The stadium we will build will not only be a new home for our players and coaches, but also for our fans. This stadium is a public, private, NFL, and I call it, a fan partnership."
Pegula also announced the new stadium will be called Highmark Stadium.
"As a Western New York kid, it gives me a great deal of pride to be here today. I've been to a lot of groundbreaking ceremonies in my time at the NFL. But none of them are more meaningful than being here today. This is an extraordinary community. They deserve an extraordinary stadium, and you're going to get it. And I think as Western New Yorkers, we'll all be proud. It'll be not only a great stadium, but filled with incredible fans," said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
New York State has committed to funding $600 million of the $1.4 billion project, with the NFL and the Bills investing $550 million and Erie County $250 million. The new stadium will be owned by the state rather than the county, as is currently the case with Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
Work has been underway at the stadium since the Erie County Legislature unanimously approved all documents related to the new Buffalo Bills Stadium deal back on May 4th.
Those documents include a new lease agreement, a community benefits deal, a non-relocation agreement, and 16 others, which were released on April 4 after being signed by the Buffalo Bills, Erie County, and New York State.
The team hopes to have the new stadium constructed by the start of the 2026 season. Highmark Stadium will have to be maintained by the county until then, at a cost close to $2 million per year.
After that Erie County will be "getting out of the stadium business" as the County Executive has stated time and again. The new stadium will be solely owned by the state entity set up to manage it.
Demolition of Highmark Stadium will commence when the new stadium and site are complete.
Pegula became emotional during the press conference, wiping away tears as he read the names of the 10 people who were killed in the mass shooting May 14.
He also mentioned his wife Kim, who is recovering from a cardiac arrest last June, calling her his star.