Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN) Construction on the Buffalo Bills’ new Highmark Stadium is approximately 93% complete, with full completion targeted for June, team officials said.
Crews continue to put finishing touches on key areas throughout the facility as the organization begins planning for limited “soft opening” events later this summer. Those could include the team’s annual Blue and Red scrimmage, expected toward the end of July.
"It feels real, for sure," said Frank Cravotta, Buffalo Bills' vice president of design. "Every day, something new gets installed."
The Bills also anticipate the stadium will be ready to host preseason games, marking the first opportunity for fans to experience the venue in a live-game setting.
By early June, fans will notice another stadium milestone taking shape - that being the installation of three stainless steel bisons - with the largest standing 27-feet tall and weighing more than 23,000 pounds. The other two will be 24-feet tall and 12-feet tall respectively and will be lit in Bills' red, white and blue colors.
The bisons will be the centerpiece of the family circle area that's part of the main entrance into Highmark Stadium.
A first look inside Highmark Stadium WBEN
"I suspect you will see a lot of people taking a lot of pictures by the bisons," Cravetta said.
Meanwhile, John Polka, Bills' vice president of stadium development, said all 60,000 red and blue seats have been installed as have massive end zone video screens .
"Things are moving along," Polka said.
The Bills expect to take possession of the stadium in June, taking it over Erie County, Polka said.
"It will be ours," Polka said.
The legal transfer of the stadium complex from Erie County to New York state is scheduled for late July.
Special events like a grand opening ceremony and the Bills' annual "Red and Blue" scrimmage are being planned as its the team's preseason schedule - with two home games - before the regular season begins in September.
The new stadium, a $2.2 billion investment by team owner Terry Pegula along with $850 in public sector funds from New York state and Erie County, represents a major investment in the future of the franchise, with modern amenities and fan-focused design elements aimed at enhancing the game-day experience.
"There will be a 'wow' factor," Cravotta said.
