AP exclusive: Bills propose new 60k seat stadium by (update - 2025)

[Boatdrinks]

3 hours ago, unbillievable said:

Wait until they reveal the PSL price... then we'll  be wondering if there are 60k fans willing to pay it.

 

There will be. Won’t be 60k season tix available either. 

2 hours ago, red hots said:

 

Baylor's new stadium (2014) - Waco, TX - 45k seats, 42 suites - 266m

Bills Stadium - Orchard Park, NY - 60k seats, 60 suites - 1.4bn

 

😂

 

This is bordering on scandalous how much we are going to get shafted in every which way if this goes ahead as such. Brown envelopes at the ready.

That’s NY State  for ya

[klos63]

2027?  Are they planning on a workers strike during construction?  Took 2 1/2 years to build the Raiders new stadium in Vegas.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

Corporate 

 

Josh Allen commented that he tried to get a suite for his family this year and couldn't.  So current and former players might account for a handful.

4 minutes ago, klos63 said:

2027?  Are they planning on a workers strike during construction?  Took 2 1/2 years to build the Raiders new stadium in Vegas.

 

They said "no later then", depending upon how quickly a deal is made.  But it may take longer to build in Buffalo because of weather?

Congrats to @john wawrowfor breaking this

[BigDingus]

For $1.4 billion, I'm shocked it won't have a roof (retractable or otherwise), more suites & only 60k seats. I know New York state is more expensive to do a lot of things and inflation exists but...

 

Considering the Colts got a domed stadium built downtown for half that price, Jerry World was built for the same price (with 300+ suites & up to 100k seats), Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was $1.58 billion (that's adjusted for inflation, with 180 suites & up to 80k seats), etc... what the heck are they doing with all that money?

 

My point isn't they need more seats or suites, as I'm sure the proposed amount works for the local economics & all, but unless those seats are full leather recliners with built in massagers & seat warmers, where is all that money going? All the above stadiums are domed, state of the art, have all the bells & whistles, and are massive, but the Bills want to spend nearly the same amount, if not more than others, on a new roofless stadium in Orchard Park still? 

 

Are they going to deck it out with a live Bison habitat instead of fish tanks like some MLB stadiums or something? Even Met-Life was $1.7 billion (closer to $2 billion now) to build in one of the most expensive areas but was being used by 2 franchises. I'm just confused on how it could possibly be so expensive for such a modest projection of a venue.

[Process]

4 minutes ago, BigDingus said:

For $1.4 billion, I'm shocked it won't have a roof (retractable or otherwise), more suites & only 60k seats. I know New York state is more expensive to do a lot of things and inflation exists but...

 

Considering the Colts got a domed stadium built downtown for half that price, Jerry World was built for the same price (with 300+ suites & up to 100k seats), Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was $1.58 billion (that's adjusted for inflation, with 180 suites & up to 80k seats), etc... what the heck are they doing with all that money?

 

My point isn't they need more seats or suites, as I'm sure the proposed amount works for the local economics & all, but unless those seats are full leather recliners with built in massagers & seat warmers, where is all that money going? All the above stadiums are domed, state of the art, have all the bells & whistles, and are massive, but the Bills want to spend nearly the same amount, if not more than others, on a new roofless stadium in Orchard Park still? 

 

Are they going to deck it out with a live Bison habitat instead of fish tanks like some MLB stadiums or something? Even Met-Life was $1.7 billion (closer to $2 billion now) to build in one of the most expensive areas but was being used by 2 franchises. I'm just confused on how it could possibly be so expensive for such a modest projection of a venue.

It's mind boggling. $1.4B for a small stadium in the middle of nowhere WNY. 

[BigDingus]

5 hours ago, unbillievable said:

 

New York is more expensive than Indiana?

 

Not a full $600 million more expensive, and with being in the suburbs instead of downtown...and being open-air instead of a dome... and being smaller...

If you were literally building Lucas Oil stadium in NY, I could see it getting closing that gap. But when you cut out so much, it doesn't add up.

[Patience]

Just now, BigDingus said:

 

Not a full $600 million more expensive, and with being in the suburbs instead of downtown...and being open-air instead of a dome... and being smaller...

If you were literally building Lucas Oil stadium in NY, I could see it getting closing that gap. But when you cut out so much, it doesn't add up.

 

I agree with this.  Now, just so no one jumps down my throat, I'll just say that I am not an expert.  But, at the outset, knowing what we do, which is likely pretty limited, it doesn't appear to make sense.  

[BigDingus]

5 hours ago, red hots said:

Metlife Stadium - 82k seats, 230 suites (1.6bn value 2010, 1.9bn value 2020)

New Bills stadium - 60k seats, 60 suites (1.4bn value 2021)

 

Metlife is also quite a bit closer to Manhattan than the proposed stadium is to DT Buffalo. 

 

 

 

Don't forget, Metlife is being shared between 2 franchises, so the cost is split between them & the projected returns are increased to compensate for that.

[HalftimeAdjustment]

1 minute ago, BigDingus said:

For $1.4 billion, I'm shocked it won't have a roof (retractable or otherwise), more suites & only 60k seats. I know New York state is more expensive to do a lot of things and inflation exists but...

 

Considering the Colts got a domed stadium built downtown for half that price, Jerry World was built for the same price (with 300+ suites & up to 100k seats), Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was $1.58 billion (that's adjusted for inflation, with 180 suites & up to 80k seats), etc... what the heck are they doing with all that money?

 

My point isn't they need more seats or suites, as I'm sure the proposed amount works for the local economics & all, but unless those seats are full leather recliners with built in massagers & seat warmers, where is all that money going? All the above stadiums are domed, state of the art, have all the bells & whistles, and are massive, but the Bills want to spend nearly the same amount, if not more than others, on a new roofless stadium in Orchard Park still? 

 

Are they going to deck it out with a live Bison habitat instead of fish tanks like some MLB stadiums or something? Even Met-Life was $1.7 billion (closer to $2 billion now) to build in one of the most expensive areas but was being used by 2 franchises. I'm just confused on how it could possibly be so expensive for such a modest projection of a venue.

 

Well, if the taxpayers contribute any money then there should ideally be a mandatory public audit of the costs involved to ensure that money is well spent. 

 

Having said that, costs of doing business in WNY are clearly higher than those in Indiana, Georgia, or Texas. Both political and weather factors impact the cost. I don't see why that is not obvious. MetLife is probably a better comparison point. 

 

 

[Real McClappy]

4 hours ago, Huh? What? said:

If you do a Google search of"new Buffalo Bills Stadium renderings" and click on google images result you see a proposed drawing of a stadium that looks like what the AP said. The image was posted on redditt but it was removed from the thread at the request of someone. Shows a city setting.

 

This?

[MAJBobby]

42 minutes ago, BUFFALOBART said:

"Structural Report", or the media's "Stadium Report"???

If the Stadium was unsafe, no one would be allowed to attend games, right now.

NYS has nothing to do with it, but please, carry on.

Good thing you know 2024/25/26 are right now and there there are not a lot more freeze and thaw cycles I mean those are done forever 

[RiotAct]

17 minutes ago, HalftimeAdjustment said:

 

Well, if the taxpayers contribute any money then there should ideally be a mandatory public audit of the costs involved to ensure that money is well spent. 

that’s just crazy talk!

[HalftimeAdjustment]

11 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

that’s just crazy talk!

 

Sorry, I really meant an audit to ensure that legislators' friends got a sufficient percentage.

[Just Joshin']

5 hours ago, BuffaloRebound said:

60,000 is probably a negotiating tactic to get the government to pay more money if they want it bigger.  But 60,000 probably the right number.  

I wonder in 60k includes club seats?

[That's No Moon]

3 hours ago, Boatdrinks said:

Yes. It’s been a spartan stadium from its beginning. 

They ( Erie County)  should have done it years ago when they had the chance. They opted for a window dressing type “ renovation” and the market has changed dramatically in a short time. Sometimes the roll of the dice comes up snake eyes.

On the plus, borrowing money is as close to free as it has been basically ever.

2 hours ago, klos63 said:

2027?  Are they planning on a workers strike during construction?  Took 2 1/2 years to build the Raiders new stadium in Vegas.

You can build 12 months a year in Vegas. Buffalo is a little more challenging.

[MAJBobby]

1 hour ago, BUFFALOBART said:

Mmmm...just like every year, since 1973. (Yawn!)

Business taxes in NYS, are actually quite low. Personal Income taxes, are another story.  Put the final $tadium plan out for a bid, and it will go where it will..

Ahhh proved the point. So let me ask you will the County Dump money into a stadium that will be torn down?  If so there are some major issues in the county. 

[Just Jack]

8 hours ago, aristocrat said:

How many suites does the stadium have right now? 

 

56 on the 100 level

65 on the 200 level

 

[galept]

1 hour ago, Real McNasty said:

 

This?

 

I like the idea of covered stands like that. Traps sound in and keeps the decibels up.

[Just Jack]

Back around 2005, the smallest suite the Bills had, was about $12,000 for a season.  You still had to buy game tickets on top of that.  

[QCity]

I've always said the model for a stadium here should be the Seahawks' partially covered open-air stadium, although 60,000 seems a bit low to me. 

[LeGOATski]

15 minutes ago, QCity said:

I've always said the model for a stadium here should be the Seahawks' partially covered open-air stadium, although 60,000 seems a bit low to me. 

Me too. That's also a lot like most European soccer stadiums. Another sport that's meant to be played outside.

[LeGOATski]

4 hours ago, Real McNasty said:

 

This?

This was posted on this board a while ago. I love it, personally.

[Punching Bag]

10 hours ago, unbillievable said:

Build the stadium in West Virginia and truck it over in parts like an Aircraft carrier.

 

Just put in some Central America country where labor laws are "Work or go to jail".

[purple haze]

11 hours ago, corta765 said:

60,000 is light, boost it to 65,000 which is still 7k less. The season ticket holder amount is at 56k, your killing any chance for fans and you might lose STH

Hannnah Buehler reported that it could be as much as 62,000 seats.  Wouldn't have to worry about sellouts.  I would guess season tickets would be capped out at a certain number, say 50-52,000 and the rest would be individual game tickets.  The secondary market prices would jump through the roof too.  And there would be a segment of the fanbase who might get squeezed out, but that might be part of the plan too.  I wouldn't doubt PSE would like family friendly to be a thing again.  Ultimately, I think it gets boosted to the 65,000 you suggest.  Pittsburgh is 66,000 or so.  That's what I thought the Bills new joint would be built to hold as well.

11 hours ago, RiotAct said:

M&T Bank, Independent Health, Highmark BCBS, Moog, and… Mighty Taco.

Rich Foods, Key Bank, some law firms...

[Punching Bag]

Just now, purple haze said:

Hannnah Buehler reported that it could be as much as 62,000 seats.  Wouldn't have to worry about sellouts.  I would guess season tickets would be capped out at a certain number, say 50-52,000 and the rest would be individual game tickets.  The secondary market prices would jump through the roof too.  And there would be a segment of the fanbase who might get squeezed out, but that might be part of the plan too.  I wouldn't doubt PSE would like family friendly to be a thing again.  Ultimately, I think it gets boosted to the 65,000 you suggest.  Pittsburgh is 66,000 or so.  That's what I thought the Bills new joint would be built to hold as well.

 

They stopped worrying about sellouts prior to COVID. 

 

Bills sell very single tickets these years with blocks of them sold to ticket agencies; they used to sell them to Bills backers groups.

I am sure they will be getting even more bonuses from those ticket agencies.

[purple haze]

11 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

Once they make a decision I need to book to come over to a game at the Ralph before they knock it down. I gotta come at least once before we move into whatever modern state of the art thing they build. 

If you make it to one, you'll make it to a few.  You'll be hooked.

[NickelCity]

I hope it's like the stadium here in Seattle. 

[purple haze]

10 hours ago, MAJBobby said:

Yeah I did I think that initial 1.6B was at the 70K seat mark, because they mentioned cut seats to get into 1.4B.  

 

I do still think they are trying to release enough leverage out there to get the stadium down town, and why we are still talking 2027.  But cannot commit at ALL without infrastructure being addressed first.  Saying we are committed to DT without guarantees on infrastructure is a failure from jump.

 

We are talking about lets say 50% public money on the stadium, That is almost 1B downtown and then what another 500M-1B in public money for infrastructure.  That is essentially untenable in this market.

Initial report mentioned a downtown stadium was estimated at 2.6 billion including infrastructure necessitates.  And you know there will be cost overruns.

7 minutes ago, NickelCity said:

I hope it's like the stadium here in Seattle. 

That would be nice.  I'm guessing it will be in the mould of a European soccer stadium.  

[StHustle]

@john wawrow is the man!

[JoPoy88]

3 hours ago, LeGOATski said:

This was posted on this board a while ago. I love it, personally.

It’s a mock up that some Chinese firm did that is definitely not in the negotiations anymore. Sucks i know.

[dollars 2 donuts]

If the bills are in for close to 50% then I am fine with the county and state on the other half.

 

My problem would be if the Bills were asking for the public to be in for all of it.

[BisonMan]

29 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

If the bills are in for close to 50% then I am fine with the county and state on the other half.

 

My problem would be if the Bills were asking for the public to be in for all of it.

Under the NFL’s G-4 loan program, the league will match the team’s contribution toward renovations or a new stadium. It provided ~$500M toward the Rams new SoFi stadium. So, if the Pegulas pony up $300M, the NFL will contribute $300M and the state could fund the remaining $800M of the new stadium.

 

That’s just an example and I doubt the Bills will want to contribute much more than $200M along with a lease extension through 2026 on the existing facility.

[HOUSE]

I broke this story to the media on Monday and got no credit

[machine gun kelly]

This is on the Howard and Jeremy show now, but Sal is on.  They are debating both sides.  Goodell made a good point that it needs to fit Buffalo.  I can see 65-70,000 seats.  60k would be the smallest in the NFL.  We’re not SF.  this would be a huge mistake as all the players even from other teams state we have a college feel.  Go to an AL or FL game and you’d know Buffalo is special.  That needs to stay that way.

 

Besides, do you know how expensive a 60k stadium would be?  It would completely price out the real fans.

[Greg S]

13 hours ago, klos63 said:

2027?  Are they planning on a workers strike during construction?  Took 2 1/2 years to build the Raiders new stadium in Vegas.

 

Took 3 years to build MetLife. The one thing that sucked was parking was reduced greatly for those 3 years as the new stadium was built right next to Giants Stadium. If they build the new stadium next to the current one then prepare for traffic and parking to be a pain in the ass until Hallmark is taken down.

[Greg S]

3 minutes ago, NJKBillsfan said:

Does it even make sense for the new stadium to be only 60k when the current stadium consistently sells out at 73k?

 

Plus the team is just getting good so demand will be even higher in the future. 

 

Ticket prices will be much higher plus PSL fees. Many people either won't or can't afford to go to games when that happens. I don't think the Bills will have trouble selling out games but the fact is many people will be priced out. 

Edited September 1, 2021 by Greg S

[Rochesterfan]

5 minutes ago, NJKBillsfan said:

Does it even make sense for the new stadium to be only 60k when the current stadium consistently sells out at 73k?

 

Plus the team is just getting good so demand will be even higher in the future. 

 

Depends upon the reasoning for it.  If they think 60,000 fans will create a huge increase in demand and cause ticket prices to go up and allow higher PSLs - they why wouldn’t they do that.  Higher demand - higher ticket prices - higher PSLs - more resale tickets with the NFL collecting on resales fees - different clientele that will most likely purchase more and higher costing in stadium food and drinks.

 

What is Buffalo currently know for and we read on here all the time - pre and post game tailgating.  If people are eating and drinking in private lots before and after the game - how much money does that bring into the Bills coffers?  That is exactly what the Bills should be trying to eliminate and replace with people that want to eat and drink in the stadium at a higher price point.
 

During the drought the biggest complaint/laughing point was the Bills tickets on the secondary market.  You could routinely get Bills tickets on Stub Hub for $2-3 dollars starting in November.  - so no they did not consistently sell out - they have recently, but for many years late season games were well attended.

 

If as was proposed they cut nearly 10,000 seats to get to a specific price point - then it will be on the county or state to decide if they want to put more in the pot and increase the public funding.  
 

The plans are going to change a million times in the next couple of years and as I have said in the other thread - most fans that attend the game should be hoping and praying for a large public funding of the stadium as that will help defray costs across the a significantly higher number of people.

 

If the public funding comes in at 40-60% of the cost - then the size of the stadium and the ticket cost and PSLs will go way up to recoup costs - making for a much different game day experience.  If the public funding come in at 75-80% then they could afford to keep the experience closer to current levels.

[SoMAn]

Why does every project take soooo long up there these days? 

 

The Empire State building took 13 months to build with 1930s technology.  Why does it take 6 more years to complete a 60,000 seat open air stadium?

 

Maybe if the people involved hadn't been dragging out endless feasibility studies for umpteen years, the cost to build could have been far less than what's now projected and Buffalo could be ready to host the January 2022 AFC Championship game in the shiny new facility.

 

I'm in the metro Atlanta area where they've built 2 baseball and 2 football stadiums in the past 28 years or so.  That's hardly more time than the period since the Flutie era of the late 90s when the first major renovations to Rich were happening.

 

For all the money spent on renovations and upgrades to the current stadium, I'd guess they could have built one similar to the one being planned.

 

Is it politics or just business people who have some financial incentive to drag this out? Or just stupidity?

 

By the way...how's the signature Peace Bridge coming along?

 

 

Edited September 1, 2021 by SoMAn

[4_kidd_4]

Can we get a “facepalm” emoji choice on the board? Need it for those that keep saying we can host a SB in Buffalo. 🤦🏻‍♂️ 

[Greg S]

2 minutes ago, SoMAn said:

Why does every project take soooo long up there these days? 

 

The Empire State building took 13 months to build with 1930s technology.  Why does it take 6 more years to complete a 60,000 seat open air stadium?

 

Maybe if the people involved hadn't been dragging out endless feasibility studies for umpteen years, the cost to build could have been far less than what's now projected and Buffalo could be ready to host the January 2022 AFC Championship game.

 

I'm in the metro Atlanta area where they've built 2 baseball and 2 football stadiums in the past 28 years or so.  That's hardly more time than the period since the Flutie era of the late 90s when the first major renovations to Rich were happening.

 

For all the money spent on renovations and upgrades to the current stadium, I'd guess they could have built one similar to the one being planned.

 

Is it politics or just business people who have some financial incentive to drag this out? Or just stupidity?

 

By the way...how's the signature Peace Bridge coming along?

 

 

 

2027 does seem to far off. When they get shovels in the ground it should take 2.5-3 years to build it. Having Hochul on the Bills side should help them get thru all potential problems that could come up with a project like this.