Buffalo Bills shun NFL stadium trend with $2.2bn soccer-style design that ‘skipped a generation’

NFL teams are rushing to create domed stadiums in the middle of mixed-use developments.

The attractions are clear to see — potentially hosting the Super Bowl and bringing year-round revenue with events other than football.

Getty

It could have been the same for the Buffalo Bills, with plenty arguing for a downtown location and a roof.

The team had other ideas, spending $2.2 billion to move within a stone’s throw of Highmark Stadium, which the franchise said goodbye to after a 35-8 victory over the New York Jets.

When the 2026 campaign begins, Josh Allen & Co will be in very familiar surroundings — even the name is staying the same.

That is not to say that nothing has changed, hidden within the design is the very latest in technical innovation.

“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.”

Over 60,000 fans will be able to pack in and the Bills will not lose their home-field advantage with the field still exposed to the elements.

The grass playing surface will be heated from below when necessary, however, and a canopy will protect most supporters from rain and snow, while creating a micro-climate.

Designed by Jerry Jones‘ firm Populous, It will be slightly smaller than 71,000-seater Highmark, but the people inside will be treated to a superior experience.

“You want to find that sweet spot — what can the market stand, what should be the mix of premium to GA for that market?” said Jonathan Mallie, Populous’ managing director of the Americas. “But 60,000 seems to be a bit of a sweet spot at the moment, relative to overall capacity and market.”

Getty

Getty

Highmark long suffered from wind exposure and in the Bills’ new home perforated metal panels — inspired by Buffalo’s Kleinhans Music Hall — have been specially designed to make fans more comfortable.

“It’s one thing to invite in the weather because that’s what Buffalo is about, and you want the snow in the game,” added Mallie. “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.”

English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur‘s stadium was a huge influence on the design.

The 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.

By 2031, open-air stadiums will be a minority, but that was not an option for the Bills.

“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.”

All of this won’t matter if the product isn’t right on the field.

That will be the responsibility of a new man after head coach Sean McDermott was brutally fired having failed to lead the team into Super Bowl LX, which fans can watch here.

Brian Daboll is the favorite to land the role, but Phillip Rivers has emerged as a shock candidate.

Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for news, exclusive interviews and more.