A video is offering Buffalo Bills fans a fresh peek inside the new $2.1 billion stadium in Orchard Park as the project nears 90% completion.
Buffalo News photographer Harry Scull Jr. offered fans a video update on the stadium as “construction moves forward in the last few months before opening.”
The video offers a first-person perspective of a fan walking into the stadium from a concourse high up in one of the end zones. The unpainted cement walls and stairs are barren-looking compared to the color-splashed field and seats.
The Kentucky bluegrass on the heated and irrigated field is a mix of green- and yellow-tinted grass, with the tapered sideline a much more vibrant green. As the camera pans left and right, endless rows of plastic-covered, bright red or blue seats stretch out away toward the other end of the stadium.
The Bills and construction managers have said the stadium will open on time for the 2026 season.
Video inside stadium causes dozens of reactions
The video generated multiple questions and comments from Bills fans on X about the aesthetics of the new stadium.
“The natural grass is so pretty,” said @TheDoanZoan.
“Nice! Not a ton of room on the sidelines for photographers and reporters. But overall, love it,” said DanWild92624378.
“Anyone know the purpose of the color scheme on the seats? Hate to be Debbie Downer, but it looks like spattered red and blue all over with no design in mind,” PeterBoatLife asked.
“Those entry/exit ways look so narrow! Gonna be a pain to get in and out of there,” BuffaloBarry716 said.
Construction halted in February over graffiti
Construction at the new Highmark Stadium was temporarily suspended for four days after graffiti was found in multiple areas of the stadium in February.
In a statement, Gilbane Building and Turner Construction said graffiti was discovered “in several secure locations in both finished and unfinished areas of the stadium project site.”
The investigation into who is responsible for the vulgar graffiti that caused $150,000 in damage at the stadium has resulted in the identification of two people. However, charges have not yet been filed against them or any others, according to the Buffalo News.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Friday, March 6, that those workers found to be responsible for the vandalism should be fired, booted from the union and arrested.
How complete is the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium?
As of Feb. 28, the stadium project was approximately 89% complete, according to a third-party forensic analysis cited by The Buffalo News.
Despite reported delays in the project over the past year and a graffiti incident in February, the new stadium is scheduled for substantial completion on June 1, according to Penny Semaia, Bills vice president for new stadium relations
Bill Wolcott is a producer who helps cover the Buffalo Bills, high school and Rochester sports in general. The lifelong New Yorker has been a journalist for 32 years.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: New video offers sneak peek inside Buffalo Bills new stadium
Reporting by Bill Wolcott and Ryan Miller, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
