sport
Buffalo Bills Break Ground: Highmark Stadium Transforms Orchard Park
The NFL club’s new venue in Orchard Park advances while other local projects move forward.
How we reported this
The Buffalo Bills stand out as the club generating current attention through steady progress on a major new stadium project.
Stadium Construction Updates
The new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills has topped out in Orchard Park. The project sits at roughly 50 percent completion and is slated to open before the 2026 NFL season, with the official opening set for June 23, 2026.
Old Stadium Demolition Timeline
Demolition of the former 53-year-old Highmark Stadium, formerly known as Rich Stadium, began in May 2026 in Orchard Park. The dismantling work is expected to finish by 2027.
These steps for the Buffalo Bills occur alongside other facility developments that support broader local sports activity. The Thomas Smith Indoor Athletic Facility, an $11.5 million complex featuring a turf field and batting cages, broke ground in North Buffalo at Shoshone Park and is scheduled to open in late 2027. The University at Buffalo broke ground on the $7.5 million Brittany Murchie Mulla Sports Performance Center on its North Campus, a 12,000-square-foot building intended for all 14 varsity teams. The 716 Sports Complex, a $50 million indoor facility with full-length fields and a 200-meter track, is planned for Amherst near Maple Road, with construction expected to start in spring 2026 and completion targeted for 2027.
Next Steps for Local Teams
With the Bills’ new stadium scheduled to open on June 23, 2026, focus now shifts to completion of the remaining work and coordination with the other projects already underway across North Buffalo, Orchard Park, the University at Buffalo North Campus, and Amherst near Maple Road.