Orchard Park, N.Y. (WBEN/WGR Sports Radio 550) - It has been nearly two years since ground broke on the new Highmark Stadium along Abbott Road in the Town of Orchard Park, and construction of the state-of-the-art facility continues to remain on schedule.
"I'd characterize it as 'on time'," said Bills COO Pete Guelli on Monday during an announcement just outside the current facility across the street from the new stadium. "We're still expecting a July open. We're gonna need a window in there to test it out. We don't want the first thing we do in that building is to play football games. We'd love to make sure everything's working before we do that. But I'd characterize it as on time, and we're making great progress."
Last month officially marked the halfway point of the project with the "topping off" of the stadium, setting the final structural beam of the multi-billion dollar facility atop the structure.
Every passing day since the topping off ceremony feels just another day closer to getting the new Highmark Stadium open.
"It feels great, especially coming through the winter that we had, to make sure that we're still on time," Guelli said. "We have no choice but to be open in July. We have no choice to make sure this building is ready for the football team and for our fans, so it will be.
"What I'm most proud of is we finally have this state-of-the-art facility in a city like Buffalo. The fans have deserved it forever, and it's finally happening."
Monday saw the Bills announce a founding partnership with Verizon, who will provide fans with the latest 5G technology to enhance gameday experiences, and create an atmosphere unlike any other.
With the upcoming announcement of a number of other partnerships with the Bills for the new Highmark Stadium, Guelli says the ultimate goal is to make the facility a place built for Buffalo and "Bills Mafia".
"This is a fan-centric expedition. From the beginning, we wanted to make sure that this building was built for Buffalo, that we didn't lose any of the connection that our fans had to the old building, and that when they walk in, they see a similar experience, which is elevated from an experience in technology standpoint," he said.
"It really is a team effort, and it started with the county and the state getting involved. Obviously, the PSL model is very important, sponsorships later on top of it. That's the kind of synergy you need to create a building like this in a market like Buffalo. We're excited we can bring this to the fans."
Following Monday's announcement, WBEN was granted access inside the new Highmark Stadium, and given a look at the scope of the project with about 14 months remaining until it opens to the public.
Here's a look at the new facility from field level:
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the North end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the West end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the East end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the South end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the West end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the South end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the Northeast end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at crews working on the West end of the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at the few seats already installed at the West end of the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at crews working high above the West end of the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look toward the North end of the new Highmark Stadium from field level on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at the West end of the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
Orchard Park, N.Y. - A look at the new Highmark Stadium on Monday, May 12, 2025, as construction of the state-of-the-art football facility continues along Abbott Road. Completion of the stadium is expected by July 2026.
Photo credit Brayton J. Wilson - WBEN
