The main structure of the new Buffalo Bills stadium is now complete. The final beam was lifted into place during a special ceremony on Friday.

Shovels first hit the dirt in June 2023. Nearly two years later, 22,400 pieces of steel and 223,088 bolts have been installed. 

Friday's ceremony included a host of speakers. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Bills co-owner Terry Pegula all took the stage.

“We go into that stadium and march in there and say, ‘we've got the greatest facility in all of America and it is our own in Buffalo,’” said Hochul. 

The crowd got to make their mark on history — the home of the Bills for the next 30 years — covering the final steel beam with signatures and well wishes.

“It’s a really great opportunity for everybody just to appreciate what’s happening here in Western New York and Orchard Park,” said Vice President of Stadium Development John Polka.

The people who have been working every day to help the stadium take shape were also in attendance. They received a standing ovation during the ceremony. Pegula says to date, 3,580 people have worked on the project. He thanked them during his time at the podium.

"I call it installing the first piece of building the rest of the stadium and I know one thing — I am not capable of getting it up there," said Pegula. "But I know you guys know how to hook up to it, how to raise it, bolt it and get it done, and I want to thank you all for that."

“It's a real thrill for a kid from Jamestown, New York, to be here today having come to this stadium across the street for many years," added Goodell. "To see what's behind me, I sort of wish I was a kid going into that stadium, because it is just remarkable.”

According to recent reports, the cost of the facility has ballooned from its original projection of $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion. However, as part of the 2022 deal with New York state and Erie County, the team agreed to absorb any cost overruns.

"We're always trying to mitigate and keep costs under control,” Polka said. “I would say, as the price tag continued to grow, it really just emphasized (owner Terry Pegula's') commitment to this project and what he wanted to build and what the vision was for not only him but Kim (Pegula) and the rest of the family.”

Under the deal, the state agreed to pay $600 million and Erie County an additional $250 million. At the time, that meant the public investment would be more than 60%, but now the public share projects to less than 40%. Hochul and Poloncarz said they're happy with the way things worked out.

"I made sure that it was not tied to any cost overruns,” Hochul said. “In addition to saying that, as part of the deal the Bills have to stay here at least 30 years. Those were the two priorities that I had in my negotiations and I'm really glad I was able to get them over the finish line.”

Poloncarz said, importantly, the additional money the Bills are spending remains in the region.

"It's going into the pockets, it's going into the wallets, it's going into the purses of the workers that you see here on site and that's a beautiful thing actually. I don't mind the cost overruns because we know that money's going to be invested back here in our community," he said.

Experts said the deal also looks good relative to what's come since. In 2022, the State of Tennessee and the City of Nashville agreed to share $1.26 billion in costs for a now projected $2.2 billion stadium for the Titans.

Last year, the City of Jacksonville and the Jaguars agreed to pay $625 million each for a stadium renovation project, with the city picking up another $150 million for maintenance and repairs to ready the facility for construction. Similar to the Bills deal, both ownerships agreed to pay for overruns. 

Syracuse University Professor of Sport Management Rick Burton said, in smaller markets, the public should expect to pay a premium but all sides are likely happy in Western New York.

"What's amazing is in places like Green Bay and Buffalo, the fanbase is so strong, the van avidity is just kind of off the chart that for Buffalo to have hung onto this amazing piece of Americana, which is the NFL, I think is a great deal," Burton said.

Hochul said the Bills have been a unifying force in Western New York.

"It doesn't matter who's a Democrat, Republican or non-affiliate, it doesn't matter, because we all have a common bond and that is our love for Buffalo and the Buffalo Bills, and that is enduring and we need to see more of that," she said. 

Officials said the biggest roadblock so far has been the weather.

"This past winter was a challenge," said Polka.

The sun shining on "topping out" day was hopefully a sign of good things to come.

"Day to day? It's a whirlwind and a grind," Polka said. "A day like today where you get to see the excitement of the fans, you get to see the excitement of the construction workers, it's just a great opportunity. It's really humbling for us to be part of the project."

While this day was a celebration of this foundation for Bills Mafia, there is more to be done.

"All the exterior facade and skin of the building. The playing field will be starting this spring. Some of the seating will start to go in,” Polka explained.

They're all aspects to make the stadium feel like a home.

"Their passion, their pride in this community, you can feel it every time you walk into this stadium, but more importantly you can even watch it on television," Goodell said. "And this is going to be a symbol of the Buffalo community and the Buffalo Bills all over the globe for decades to come. And that is going to make me proud every day I see it." 

He congratulated the fans, saying this community has fans like no other.

"You're as loyal as they get. And I know you can't wait for the next chapter in the history of the Buffalo Bills," he added. "Enjoy it and I'll see you on opening day.”

Officials say the seating bowl has also been completed and turf installation will start in the fall.

The project is set to be completed in time for the 2026 season.