Bills break ground on new $1.54 billion stadium - ESPN

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The signs that something big is coming have been there. Across Abbott Road from the Buffalo Bills' facility and Highmark Stadium, dirt is being moved and construction vehicles are in full work mode.

With years put into coming to an agreement with New York state and Erie County on a deal, there was no time to waste on beginning construction on the new stadium grounds in time for the 2026 season.

On Monday morning, however, those came to a pause with gold shovels, a stage and all the proper tools for a celebration to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Bills stadium. The agreements include a 30-year lease and a non-relocation agreement that makes it difficult for the team to leave Buffalo, the second-smallest NFL market (larger than only Green Bay).

«While Buffalo isn't one of the larger NFL markets, the days of us operating as a small-market team are in the past,» EVP/chief operating officer Ron Raccuia said. «On the field, we've become a national brand, gaining national attention and attracting national opportunities. Our fans stretch across the country and the world, and as an organization, we carry this banner with commitment and pride.»

The ceremony included speeches from Raccuia, who has led the stadium project for the Bills, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Bills owner/CEO Terry Pegula, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. Coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane were also in attendance. Bills owner/president Kim Pegula, who played a significant role in the stadium process, was not able to be present as she continues to recover from a cardiac arrest last June.

Raccuia later described Goodell as being on the «Mount Rushmore of people who made»