Architect behind new $2.1bn stadium defends view-blocking stairways as Bills play first game

The Buffalo Bills begin their preseason on Saturday, but all eyes will be on the new Highmark Stadium, rather than the action that unfolds on the field.

Last weekend, the team offered fans a first look inside their new $2.1bn facility, which has been built in the shadow of the iconic ‘Ralph’ in Orchard Park.

X: Buffalo Bills

But the homecoming didn’t quite go to plan.

While many fans loved what they saw, a handful of images quickly surfaced on social media, which appeared to show poor sightlines and design flaws — including a stairway that blocked views of the field — at the new Highmark.

Posts slamming the stadium spread like wildfire, and sparked huge backlash that the Bills had to address in the days that followed.

Some of the customers who purchased Personal Seat Licenses (PSLs) attached to seats with obstructed views complained to the team, which is evaluating the concerns on a case-by-case basis.

NFL Weekly Newsletter - SIGN UP!

talkSPORT is your home for NFL in the UK as we launch our biggest year of coverage yet!

2026 promises to be an epic year for NFL on talkSPORT – and we want you to join us for the ride.

SIGN UP HERE!

This season will be our biggest ever with live commentary of 90+ games, including behind-the-scenes access to international games and all three London fixtures, plus bumper coverage of Super Bowl 61 at SoFi Stadium.

Exclusive interviews, hard-hitting opinion, latest front-office drama and top breaking news – all delivered straight to your inbox each week.

But according to Populous, the architectural firm that designed Highmark, those obstructed views were part of the plan.

Highmark Stadium architect responds to fan backlash

“You will find some level of obstruction in every stadium in the world,” Jonathan Mallie, global director and managing director of Populous’ Americas practice, told the Buffalo News.

“The goal was to bring everybody closer to the field and create an upper deck with an incredible proximity and presence within the bowl to help create a next level experience for Bills Mafia.”

Mallie claimed that there are more than 20 professional stadiums in the NFL and MLB that have the same staircases as the one that has been criticised at Highmark.

Getty

He added there are also ‘more code requirements’ for the team to meet at the new stadium, compared to their former home, which opened in 1973.

“There’s always what fans are used to versus what it can be today,” Mallie explained.

“We have to design to code and make sure to be safe, while achieving the overall goals.”

Bills stadium was designed with ‘trade-offs’ to improve experience

In a separate interview, Mallie further clarified why the now viral stairways have been designed as they are, and suggested all stadiums are designed with ‘trade-offs’ in mind.

“Starting with just the building type, stadiums in general or airports, these are some of the most complex buildings in the world that we have to deal with,” he said, having called into Buffalo’s WGR 550.

“When you think about that, all of design are trade-offs. And so one major thing that we wanted to do was alleviate as much congestion on the concourses as possible. Create open views from concourse. Old Highmark didn’t have this.

NFL Stadium Status

On the Move – Why is Roger Goodell allowing three of NFL’s most famous teams to build $8.8bn new homes and ditch diehard fans?

Chicago Bears – NFL’s second-oldest team admits defeat as $5bn relocation from 102-year-old stadium confirmed in statement

Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs owner issues response as Kansas City’s $4bn cross-state relocation plan hits roadblock

Jacksonville Jaguars – $5.6bn NFL team’s 150-mile relocation triggers unique rule exemption amid CBA conflict

Cleveland Browns – $2.6bn NFL stadium fraught with drama finally makes breakthrough as Super Bowl dream teased

Tennessee Titans – Super Bowl 2030 host is unopened $2.2bn ‘cookie-cutter’ stadium that will be NFL’s smallest

“So, old Highmark, you’re going behind a wall and you’re going to get your food, to get your drink.

“So we wanted to keep those stairwells out of that concourse and put them on that leading edge. And this is not unique to Buffalo.

“There are 21 professional stadiums between the NFL and Major League Baseball — 14 of which in the NFL — that have the outboard stairs. It’s common practice.

“It’s a way to create those views from the concourse, alleviate the congestion. And so when you go and get your drink, you can actually catch a view of the game.”

X: Buffalo Bills

The first reviews of new Highmark, which came from an open practice session, were far from positive.

But the Bills will play a real game inside the building for the first time on Saturday, where the on-field action should take center stage.

And should Josh Allen and his teammates start stacking wins once the regular season begins, all the talk around the stadium will surely subside.