ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — It's hard to miss if you’re in Orchard Park: the new Highmark Stadium towering next to the current home of the Buffalo Bills.

The build is on schedule and set to open next July, just more than a year away now.

"It feels great, especially coming through the winter that we had, to make sure that we’re still on time,” said Bills Chief Operating Officer Pete Guelli. “We have no choice but to be open in July, and no choice to make sure that this building is ready for our football team and for our fans, so it will be."

The outside is easily seen driving by. This week, however, brought a look inside at the progress that's been made and a better feel of the stadium from field level.

"You start to see some of the spaces actually closing in, visualizing where people will be,” said Guelli. “As you probably saw, we put some seats in for the first time about a week ago and had people sitting in them. It's amazing to see what we’re adding. What I'm most proud of is we’ll finally have this state-of-the-art facility in a city like Buffalo."

At the end of the day, when the 2026 football season rolls around, it will be all about the fan experience at the new Highmark Stadium, from tailgating in the parking lot, to entering the building, buying concessions and souvenirs, to the game and beyond.

"This is a fan-centric expedition from the beginning,” said Guelli. “We wanted to make sure this building was built for Buffalo, that we didn't lose any of the connection that our fans had with the old building and that when they walk in, they see a similar experience, but just elevated from an experience and technology standpoint."

Construction will continue through the upcoming season and be ready for events prior to the Bills’ 2026 season.