Buffalo Bills stadium drama escalates as team announces huge change to $2.2bn facility just days before season

The new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park is set to undergo another change as fans continue to complain about the issues with the infrastructure. This time, the issue is on the field.

After 53 years at Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Buffalo Bills will play in a new stadium which cost $2.2billion to build.

But fans have taken issue with poor sight lines in the building that have forced discussions over ways to fix errors in construction.

Now, there's a new issue the Bills are tackling: the actual playing surface itself.

The team is working on fully replacing the grass on the field ahead of its regular season opening in Week 2 on September 17. 

'We're committed to having the best possible playing surface for our players,' president of business operations Pete Guelli said in a statement.

'With a stretch of three consecutive home games early in the season, we decided it was the appropriate time to re-sod our field.

'This process will begin on Monday with full installation of a new surface completed by the end of the week. 

'We will continue to monitor the field and every aspect of our new stadium to ensure it is the best possible experience for our players and fans.'

Players have complained about the Kentucky bluegrass surface used in the preseason as bald patches and chunks of sod were seen flying into the air as tackles were made. A player told The Athletic that the 'field is a** right now.'

The original surface did pass the league's safety and playability standards, but the decision to re-sod the field came after feedback from players. 

'You can be happy with the performance and playability and still make the change,' Guelli told the Buffalo News. 

'As an organization, we're committed to having the absolute best possible playing surface for the players. 

'If it's even slightly better, we're going to make the change and err on the side of performance.'

The franchise opened the doors to its state-of-the-art stadium in Orchard Park for a practice session earlier this month, giving fans their first glimpse of the new Highmark Stadium. 

However, the grand reveal left fans in uproar as attendees shared videos and photos demonstrating severely compromised views of the playing field.

Following the first event at the stadium on August 8, several posts racking up millions of views showed lower-level seats, including those near the 50-yard line, partially obstructed with paneling. 

Meanwhile, fans in the upper deck revealed staircase railings and glass partitions blocking sight lines to much of the field and end zones. 

Substantial frustration was also directed at personal seat licenses (PSLs) and expensive lower-tier seats, where standing platforms completely blocked the view of the opposite side of the field for many spectators.

Some supporters claimed they felt misled by franchise representatives, alleging that they had been explicitly assured that railings and safety barriers seen in virtual venue tours would not impede real-life sightlines.

Yet, Populous' Americas practice, the New York-based architecture firm behind the build, later admitted that the flaws were unavoidable. 

Jonathan Mallie, the firm's global director and managing director, told The Buffalo News that the goal had been to design a stadium that would create a heightened atmosphere and brings fans as close to the field as possible.

However he insists, that to ensure compliance with building code standards, certain aspects could not be avoided. 

'You will find some level of obstruction in every stadium in the world,' Mallie told the outlet. 

'The goal was to bring everybody closer to the field and create an upper deck with an incredible proximity and presence within the bowl to help create a next level experience for Bills Mafia,' he added.

Mallie also explained that NFL stadiums are now required to follow stricter safety code requirements than the older builds around the league. 

Populous also designed the stadium to allow for larger concourses to afford greater flow and more space for spectators passing through.