New York Construction Report staff writer
Buffalo Bills players Dion Dawkins and O’Cyrus Torrence toured the New Highmark Stadium construction site this week, meeting the local construction workers, exploring their future locker room and practicing their touchdown celebrations.
“I’m starstruck, honestly,” Torrence said on the field. “It’s state of the art … looks way better from this side than the outside.
“You drive by it every day and don’t really think about the work that’s going into it, but coming here and seeing it . . . This is amazing. I can’t wait to play here.”
Watch the players’ video here.
The $1.7 billion, 62,000-seat stadium is being built adjacent to Erie Community College’s south campus across the street from the existing Highmark Stadium, which will be demolished following the completion of the new stadium.
A joint venture between Gilbane Building Company and Turner Construction Company, working with 34 Group and Arc Building Partners, is overseeing the build.
The stadium was designed by Populous, who previously designed Sahlen Field in downtown Buffalo and twelve other active NFL stadiums, with which the new Orchard Park stadium will share numerous design elements and features.
“This is what you call greatness,” Dawkins said as he toured the construction site. “This stadium is top tier.”
Construction started in 2023. The project is scheduled for completion in time for the 2026 season.
