When will the Bills get their new stadium? All you need to know about Buffalo’s plans for $1.4 billion venue
Since the new-era Buffalo Bills arrived thanks to Josh Allen's breakout, the team has not felt the same as in previous decades. Now, it seems, the franchise will have a new home to look forward to as well. There has been a new update for a future Buffalo Bills stadium, which certainly looks exciting.
The stadium, slated for a 2026 completion date, will be located on Abbot Road in Orchard Park. The venue is expected to be an open-air stadium, rather than a dome. This came as a surprise to many who expected a roof, especially after watching the city get buried in snow recently. However, it appears the designers are meeting the dome trend halfway.
The stadium will feature an overhanging ring around the stadium designed to keep fans dry and warm. The stadium will be designed to maximize crowd noise and feature a more modern look.
The current home of the Bills, known as Highmark Stadium, was built in 1972. It features seating for roughly 70,000 people and features 121 luxury suites. The venue currently boasts 135 restrooms and allows for parking for 12,000 cars, 300 buses, and 250 campers. The Bills' new stadium will have a capacity of 60,000 and is expected to cost $1.4 billion.
As it stands, it will be multiple seasons before the team sets foot on the field. The Bills are the latest NFL team to be looking at a new home, following the Chicago Bears and the Tennessee Titans' new stadium announcements.
Is Josh Allen guaranteed to see the new stadium of the Buffalo Bills?
The NFL is a dangerous place for long-term prospects. Estimated at roughly four years from completion, the Bills' new stadium is a lifetime away in NFL years. That said, is Josh Allen locked in to lead the team when the stadium is done?
As it stands, Allen's contract takes him well beyond the opening date. Not only is he expected to be with the team in 2026, he'll be able to play on the new field for three seasons. His current deal runs through 2028, and, assuming the venue is completed on time, he is set to enjoy the facility for years to come.
With Buffalo looking strong in the 2022 season, the new stadium is very much a distant thought. They stand at 8-3, a tie-breaker behind the Miami Dolphins who lead the AFC East. With six games remaining, Allen and company will be confident they can find a way to top the division and maybe even secure a first-round bye in the playoffs.
We shall see how they get on in the quest for their first-ever Super Bowl win over the coming weeks.