Bills fans and Super Bowl champ triggered by footage of $2.1bn ‘soccer style’ stadium: ‘Waste of money’

The Buffalo Bills faced a huge decision over whether to include a roof over their $2.1 billion new home.

It would have allowed New Highmark Stadium to host year-round events and protected players and fans from the brutal winters.

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But in the end, the team decided to retain a competitive advantage, knowing that a lack of infrastructure was unlikely to bring a Super Bowl or massive concerts in the coming years.

Their final concept borrowed heavily from English Premier League club Tottenham’s arena, which was also designed by Populous, with a canopy intended to keep at least some seats clear.

New aerial footage showing the Orchard Park landmark — due to open for the 2026 season — almost completed is doing the rounds on social media and stirring up debate.

Former NFL star Torrey Smith — a Super Bowl champion with the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles — isn’t impressed.

“2.1 Billion Dollar Mansion with no roof and HVAC system. I’ll get over the waste of money one day,” he wrote on X.

Bills fans are not afraid of picking up a shovel and pointed out that the stadium does indeed boast state-of-the HVAC system and a heated field.

“We know… yall are afraid of a little cold and snow,” added one with a clip of the Bills strip-sacking Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in a snow game.

“It’s beautiful. The elements are part of Buffalo football. And I’m glad they didn’t take that part away,” a second posted.

“It has a heated natural grass surface and is covered, one of the most advanced facilities in the NFL. Football is an outdoor sport,” a third noted.

Is the New Highmark Stadium bigger than the old one?

Some people did agree with Smith and the 62,000 capacity — around 10,000 lower than the current stadium — also came under fire.

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“Buffalo is spending billions on a new stadium and it’s only going to seat around 60,000. Smaller capacity than many existing NFL venues, yet one of the most expensive projects in league history with taxpayers heavily involved,” a critic posted.

“So dumb there’s not at least a retractable roof,” added a second.

The Bills are happy with their work.

“When you’re standing there looking across the street, you’re looking at a 50-year-old building, and that’s the difference,” said John Polka, the Bills vice president of stadium development. “We skipped a generation of stadiums.

“You’re looking at 50 years of progress and trends and construction kind of culminating here with the new stadium.”

Specially-designed panels will create a micro climate inside the stadium even if the elements are not shut out completely.

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“It’s one thing to invite in the weather because that’s what Buffalo is about, and you want the snow in the game,” said Jonathan Mallie, Populous’ managing director of the Americas “But it’s another thing to make fans — or have fans be — uncomfortable.

“We’ve created a level of protection that’s going to be a tremendous difference from the current Highmark Stadium.”

A 270,000-square-foot canopy covers 60 percent of the seats and will bounce crowd noise back into the arena to help create an intimidating atmosphere.

“We’re still creating the type of environment we want for Buffalo, the type of home-field advantage we want for Buffalo,” Pete Guelli, Bills executive vice president and chief operating officer told SBJ. “But it is going to be a much better experience for the fans.

“We’re not necessarily going to be hosting a Final Four or Super Bowl here. So, what’s the priority? And the priority was football.”

The Kansas City Chiefs, Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders and Cleveland Browns all have ambitions to host the Super Bowl in their own new homes.

The Bills will be happy to snap a drought that goes back to the early 90s.

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