Highmark Stadium has been home to the Buffalo Bills since 1973. While it’s had many names over the years, from Rich Stadium (1973-97) to Ralph Wilson Stadium (1998-2015), New Era Field (2016-19), and now Highmark, it’s time for a much bigger change for the only pro football franchise that actually plays their home games in the state of New York.
But that change may be closer than we think. On Tuesday, the Bills officially announced all documents and contracts for their proposed New Bills Stadium have been signed by the state of New York. Their social media page called it a “significant step in the stadium project.”
Much like their current setup, the renderings for the new stadium also include an open-air outdoor stadium, delivering football games with heavy amounts of snow on the upper east coast.
However, unlike their current venue, their new proposed plan would feature state-of-the-art equipment and a much better overall fan experience for Bills Mafia and visiting fanbases.
Buffalo fans are known for their unique excitement for the game of football, and the Bills’ website suggests Buffalo wants “that passion to swell throughout the stadium.”
While the early concepts are subject to change, it’s hard not to fall in love with the designs the Bills have released so far. You can view some pictures of their ideal stadium, which would still be located in Orchard Park, here.
If approved, the Bills would then have a 30-year lease on the new stadium, which would then be built next to the current venue that fans already know how to commute to. In addition to the new stadium, the lease would also include a separate clause featuring a “non-relocation agreement,” which would keep the Bills in Buffalo for years to come.
Ultimately, the building plans are in the hands of the Erie County Legislature at this point, who will get to decide whether the stadium is approved for construction or not.
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