Final structural beam placed in Buffalo Bills' new stadium: Here's the latest

The Buffalo Bills are one step closer to taking the field in the new Highmark Stadium after the last structural beam was raised into place Friday morning.

On an unusually sunny spring day in Orchard Park, elected officials, construction workers and Bills staff looked on as a black and gray beam with the words Buffalo Bills sandwiched between two Bills logos slowly made its way up over and into the top of the new stadium to the sound of the 'Shout' song.

It's been almost two years since they broke ground on the now $2.1 billion project, which is on schedule to open ahead of the 2026 Bills season, and Friday's event brought Bills owner Terry Pegula, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and even NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell out to celebrate.

"This is where I needed to be, right here, right now," an enthusiastic Hochul told the crowd gathered Friday. "I cannot wait a year and a half from now when we go into that stadium ... and say we've got the greatest facility in all of America and it is our own in Buffalo."

Here's the latest on the Bills' new stadium.

When will the new Highmark Stadium be complete?

The new Highmark Stadium should be mostly completed by summer 2025, according to the Bills' website.

The project includes a new 1.35 million gross-square-foot stadium, 18,750 square-foot ancillary building, the demolition of the current stadium and related site development, the new stadium's website says. 

Inside the new stadium, there will be a minimum of 60,000 seats along with an expandable capacity to hold special events as well as new premium areas, which will include suites, ledge seats and clubs.

Other features in the new stadium include state-of-the-art video and scoreboards, a new sound system, administrative and event staff offices and lockers, broadcast facilities, a team store, locker rooms, food service kitchens and concession areas, sports lighting, parking and site landscaping.

What season will the Buffalo Bills play in the new stadium?

All home games of the 2026 season are expected to be played inside the new stadium, according to the Bills' website.

"You worked in some adverse conditions, but this stadium is on time. It's going to open next year," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said as he addressed the construction workers in attendance Friday. "We're going to see Josh Allen running out of that tunnel and the rest of the Buffalo Bills following him and each and every one of you are the reason that it's here ... and it's something we can all be proud of. So thank you all for the work you've done and Go Bills."

Where is the new Bills stadium located?

The new stadium is currently under construction on Abbott Road across from the current Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, Erie County.

When did the current stadium open?

During Friday's event, Pegula said the groundbreaking for the Bills' current Highmark Stadium was held on April 4, 1972 — exactly 53 years before the new stadium's topping out ceremony.

The stadium opened for its first game against Washington on August 17, 1973, as the Rich Stadium, according to the Bills' website. Throughout the years, the stadium was renamed the Ralph Wilson Stadium, New Era Field, Bills Stadium, Highmark Stadium and soon the New Highmark Stadium.

Contributing: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reporter Madison Scott

Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.