The Buffalo Bills are entering a new era, thanks to their brand-new $2.1 billion stadium built across the street from old Highmark Stadium. New York government officials and the team's ownership announced the stadium's construction in March 2022 in Orchard Park.
The new Highmark Stadium will replace the iconic Ralph Wilson Stadium as the Bills' new home from the upcoming season. Josh Allen and company are now set to participate in their first practice session at the new facility on Saturday for the Bills' annual Blue and Red scrimmage.
The star quarterback spoke about the stadium and is looking forward to "having good times" in his team's new home.
"It's really cool to be a part of a team that gets to play the inaugural season at a new stadium, a stadium I think that was long-needed here in Western New York," Allen said. "Looking forward to having good times in the new one."
The stadium has a seating capacity of more than 60,000, which can increase up to 66,000 depending on the event. Construction of the stadium began in 2023 and will host its first NFL game on Sept. 18 against the Detroit Lions.
Buffalo is known for its windy conditions, and the new stadium has taken measures to reduce the effects of the winds on matchdays. It will be a special challenge for the Bills' special teams to adjust to the new surroundings.
"I'd love to go over there on a windy day just to see," Reid Ferguson, the team's long-snapper, said. "I'm sure it'll take a few practices in there to kind of get our bearings on the different parts of the field where the wind may swirl a little bit if there is any. So, yeah, excited to get in there."
Although the Bills are entering a new chapter in their storied history, some players still look back fondly on their former home.
"It's that old-school feel. Everybody shares the same tunnel, the locker room's not super updated, the shower's cold, even when it's cold outside," Bradley Chubb, who played the previous four seasons with the Miami Dolphins, said. "But you know, change is good. New is good."
The Bills have established themselves as one of the NFL's most consistent teams in recent years, making the playoffs regularly with Josh Allen leading the offense. With their new stadium now set to host home games, Buffalo will hope the new era can help fuel its pursuit of a long-awaited first Super Bowl title.
