After more than five decades of serving as the home of the Buffalo Bills, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park is set to become history. Following the team’s move to its new stadium next year, demolition of the current venue will begin — a project to be carried out by ARC Building Partners.

A massive undertaking

The project, while inevitable, stirs strong emotions among fans and those involved in its execution. ARC Building Partners president Frank Ciminelli admitted that for many, it will mark a symbolic farewell to a place that has been an integral part of the local community for generations.

ARC has worked with the Bills since 2012 and will take full charge of decommissioning and dismantling the current stadium once the team completes its final season there. The demolition site covers the area east of Abbott Road. According to company officials, the process will involve not just tearing down the main structure but also securing surrounding infrastructure and filling in the massive excavation on which Highmark Stadium was originally built. Ciminelli emphasized that many neighboring facilities are interconnected with the stadium’s utilities, adding to the complexity of the job.

The structure will not be imploded — instead, it will be carefully taken apart in stages. Portions of the materials will be recycled and reused in the redevelopment of the site. The project will require significant logistical and labor resources, and bids from subcontractors have already been invited.

© Quintin Soloviev (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Memories that will remain

Bills fans will have a chance to own a piece of history — original stadium seats and other memorabilia will go on sale. Erie County, which owns the stadium, is currently developing a plan for collecting and distributing the keepsakes.

Demolition is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026 and conclude in the second quarter of 2027. The entire process, including preparation, will take roughly a year. It’s not yet known what will replace the old venue, but the redevelopment of the Orchard Park site is drawing major interest from local authorities, residents, and team officials alike.

Pete Guelli, the Bills’ chief operating officer, called the New Highmark Stadium the largest infrastructure project in Buffalo’s history. The club hopes the new facility will not only meet top technical standards but also deliver a unique experience for every fan attending a game.

© Josh Pohlman, Buffalo Bills