LOS ANGELES – One sun-drenched Southern California day in February 2022, Kim Pegula stood in the end zone concourse of a soccer stadium. Her vantage point gave her a clear view of the high-stacked seats looking over the field. Much of the seating bowl on this 80-degree day was shaded by a canopy that ringed the stadium. To the outside, Pegula could see the Los Angeles skyline jutting beyond the freeway.
kAm%@ !68F=2[ E96 4@\@H?6C @7 E96 qF772=@ q:==D[ :E 4CJDE2=:K65 2 G:D:@?]k^Am
kAm“%9:D A=246 :D 8C62E[” !68F=2 D2:5] “%9:D :D H92E H6 42? 3F:=5] x’> 6I4:E65]”k^Am
kAm%96 A=246 H2D q|~ $E25:F>[ E96 9@>6 @7 E96 {@D p?86=6D ur[ 2 E62> :? |2;@C {628F6 $@446C] ~A6?65 7:G6 J62CD 28@ ?62C E96 &?:G6CD:EJ @7 $@FE96C? r2=:7@C?:2 2?5 25;246?E E@ E96 46?EFCJ\@=5 {@D p?86=6D |6>@C:2= r@=:D6F>[ E96 aa[___\42A24:EJ D@446C G6?F6 4@F=5?’E 2AA62C E@ 36 2 >@C6 5:DE2?E <:4< 7C@> H92E E96 !68F=2D 2C6 A=2??:?8 E@ 3F:=5 :? (6DE6C? }6H *@C<i 2 e_[___\A=FD D62E @FE5@@C qF772=@ q:==D 7@@E32== DE25:F> 56D:8?65 E@ 92?5=6 =2<6 H:?5D 2?5 7C:8:5 H:?E6CD] (:E9 E9C66 E:>6D E96 42A24:EJ 2?5[ 2E 2 AC@;64E65 S`]c 3:==:@?\A=FD[ A6C92AD 7@FC E:>6D E96 4@DE[ E96 q:==D G6?F6 H:== 36 3:886C[ AC:4:6C 2?5 72C =6DD 2:CJ E92? E9:D q|~ $E25:F>]k^Am
Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula was impressed by the Los Angeles FC's BMO Stadium, and it helped shape her thinking in developing the Buffalo Bills' new stadium-in-progress. Dave Hatheway, a consultant with Legends Project Management, has worked on both stadiums. Here at BMO Stadium, he explains the similarities between the LAFC and Bills' vision.
Tim O'Shei
kAmqFE :E H2D ?6:E96C D:K6 ?@C DA@CE E92E 42F89E !68F=2’D 2EE6?E:@?] $96 H2D 7@4FD65 @? 9@H E96 DE25:F>’D 56D:8?6CD 2?5 @A6C2E@CD 6I64FE65 56E2:=D – D@>6 @7 H9:49 >2J 36 32C6=J ?@E:465 3J C68F=2C 72?D[ 3FE @?6D E92E 5C:G6 677:4:6?4J[ 3C2?5:?8 2?5 C6G6?F6 7@C E96 E62>] %96 =@42E:@? @7 E96 D62ED[ DF:E6D[ <:E496? 2?5 6=6G2E@CD] %96 62D6 @7 H2=<:?8 2C@F?5] %96 36?67:ED @7 2 A2CE:2= C@@7 2?5 =2J6C:?8 =6G6=D] %96 DEC@?8 FD6 @7 G6CE:42= D62E:?8 E@ 4C62E6 4=62C D:89E=:?6D] %96 DF3E=6 FD6 @7 E62> 4@=@CD E92E 2==@HD 72?D – ?@E A2:?E – E@ AC@G:56 E96 4@=@C7F= 6IA6C:6?46]k^Am
kAm“xE H2D 56=:G6C:?8 @? E96 766=[ 56=:G6C:?8 @? E96 6IA6C:6?46[” C642==65 #@? #244F:2[ E96 q:==D’ 6I64FE:G6 G:46 AC6D:56?E 2?5 49:67 @A6C2E:?8 @77:46C] #244F:2[ H9@ C64@F?E65 !68F=2’D C624E:@? :? 2 C646?E :?E6CG:6H H:E9 %96 qF772=@ }6HD[ E@FC65 q|~ $E25:F> E92E 52J H:E9 E96 q:==D 4@\@H?6C 2?5 %2J=@C v29286?[ 2? :?G6DE>6?E 2?2=JDE 2?5 z:> 2?5 %6CCJ !68F=2’D D@?\:?\=2H]k^Am
kAm~G6C E96 =2DE 4@FA=6 @7 J62CD[ D6G6C2= 6I64FE:G6D 7C@> E96 q:==D 2?5 E96:C DE25:F> 56G6=@A>6?E E62>[ :?4=F5:?8 E96:C 4@==628F6D 7C@> E96 4@?DF=E:?8 8C@FA {686?5D 2?5 E96 2C49:E64EFC2= 56D:8? 7:C> !@AF=@FD[ G:D:E65 G6?F6D 24C@DD }@CE9 p>6C:42 2?5 tFC@A6] %96J =@@<65 7@C 36DE AC24E:46D[ 4C62E:G6 2AAC@2496D 2?5 D>2CE EC6?5D E92E E96J 4@F=5 :>A=6>6?E ?@H 2?5 4@F?E @? – @C FA52E6 – :? E96 7FEFC6]k^Am
The canopy and stacked seating at Los Angeles FC's BMO Stadium appealed to Buffalo Bills officials when they toured the venue in February 2021.
Los Angeles FC
kAmtG6? 36J@?5 E96 Q292 >@>6?EQ z:> !68F=2 6IA6C:6?465 E92E 52J :? {@D p?86=6D[ D@>6 @7 E96 36DE :562D E96J 8=62?65 H6C6 7@F?5 :? D@446C DE25:F>D =:<6 E96 @?6 :? $@FE96C? r2=:7@C?:2] W}@E6i z:> !68F=2[ H9@ DF776C65 42C5:24 2CC6DE =2DE yF?6 2?5 92D 366? C64@G6C:?8 D:?46[ H2D ?@E :?E6CG:6H65 7@C E9:D DE@CJ] w6C C624E:@?D 2?5 H:D96D H6C6 4@?G6J65 3J #244F:2]Xk^Am
kAmk6>mkDEC@?8mp E2=6 @7 EH@ DE25:F>Dk^DEC@?8mk^6>mk^Am
kAm%92E u63CF2CJ a_aa G:D:E E@ q|~ $E25:F> 92AA6?65 :? E96 >:5DE @7 E96 $FA6C q@H=[ H9:49 H@F=5 36 A=2J65 E9C66 52JD =2E6C 2E $@u: $E25:F>] ~A6?65 :? a_a_ 2E 2 4@DE @7 Sd 3:==:@?[ $@u: :D 2 8=:EKJ 2?5 DAC2H=:?8 4@>A=6I E92E :D 9@>6 E@ EH@ }u{ E62>D 2?5 D6E FA E@ 9@DE 2 >F=E:EF56 @7 DA@CED 2?5 6?E6CE2:?>6?E 6G6?ED]k^Am
kAmqFE $@u: :D D@ ?@E qF772=@] %92E H2D 2AA2C6?E H96? !68F=2 2?5 96C 6I64FE:G6 E62> E@FC65 E96 4@>A=6I 62C=:6C :? E96 H66<] “(96? J@F 8@ :?E@ 2 DE25:F> =:<6 $@u:[” #244F:2 D2:5[ “H96C6 :E :D D@ >F49 >@C6 E92? ;FDE 2? 2>2K:?8 7@@E32== DE25:F>[ :E’D 92C5 E@ 6?G:D:@? J@FC 3F:=5:?8 4@>A2C65 E@ H92E E96J ;FDE 3F:=E]”k^Am
kAmq|~ $E25:F> 4=2C:7:65 :E]k^Am
kAm“tG6CJE9:?8 :D 23@FE E96 72? 6IA6C:6?46 2D :E C6=2E6D E@ E96 E62> – E96 4@=@CD[ E96 DF3E=6EJ @7 E96 =@8@ 56D:8?[ H92E J@F H2?E E96 72? E@ 6IA6C:6?46 – :D A6C764E[” #244F:2 D2:5] “xE E@=5 FD H6 42? C62==J 6I64FE6 @FC >:DD:@? 2?5 @3;64E:G6D :? E96 DE25:F>[ 3642FD6 E96J 5:5 :E EC6>6?5@FD=J[ 6G6CJ 2DA64E @7 :E]”k^Am
kAmp>@?8 E96 56D:8? 56E2:=D E92E DE@@5 @FEik^Am
kAmk6>mkDEC@?8m• ~G6C9625 4@G6C286]k^DEC@?8mk^6>m r2?@AJ C@@7D 2C6 4@>>@? :? D@446C DE25:F>D[ H96C6 E96 DA@CE :D A=2J65 :? 2== H62E96C 2?5 EJA:42==J @? ?2EFC2= EFC7] $9:6=5:?8 72?D 7C@> E96 6=6>6?ED >2<6D 7@C 2 >@C6 4@>7@CE23=6 – 2?5 >2C<6E23=6 – 6IA6C:6?46[ 3FE E96 DF?=:89E :D ?66565 E@ <66A E96 8C2DD 8C@H:?8] %9FD[ E96 42?@AJ[ C2E96C E92? 2 7F== C@@7]k^Am
kAms2G6 w2E96H2J[ 2 4@?DF=E2?E 7@C {686?5D !C@;64E s6G6=@A>6?E H9@ :D H@C<:?8 @? E96 q:==D DE25:F> 2?5 AC6G:@FD=J D96A96C565 q|~ $E25:F> E@ 4@>A=6E:@?[ A@:?E65 @FE E96 42?@AJ 5FC:?8 @FC G:D:E E@ {@D p?86=6D] $E2?5:?8 2E E96 E@A @7 E96 DE25:F> :? 2 D>2==\8C@FA AC6>:F> D62E:?8 2C62[ 96 A@:?E65 E@ E96 C@@7 5:C64E=J @G6C9625]k^Am
kAmw6 4@?E:?F65i “%96 3:8 25G2?E286 :? E96 qF772=@ DE25:F> :D E96 9:896C FA J@F 86E[ E96 >@C6 4@G6C286 J@F 86E] !6@A=6 92G6 C676CC65 E@ E9@D6 2D E96 ?@D63=665 D62ED[ 3FE E96J 4@>6 H:E9 25G2?E286D E92E E96 =@H6C D62E:?8 D64E:@?D 5@?’E 92G6] x7 J@F’C6 5@H? :? E96 7:CDE C@HD[ J@F’C6 24EF2==J @FED:56 E96 4@G6C286]”k^Am
The Buffalo Bills have a weather challenge, but it’s not what you think.
kAm%9:D 7:CDE\C@H 724E :D 244FC2E6 :? {@D p?86=6D – H96C6 C2:? :D 2 C2C:EJ – 2?5 :? qF772=@[ E@@[ H96C6 C2:? 2?5 D?@H 2C6 2 ?62C 46CE2:?EJ =2E6 :? E96 D62D@?] u2?D H:E9 E96 4=@D6DE @7 =@H6C 3@H= D62ED H:== 92G6 2 4@FA=6 @7 @AE:@?D 7@C 5CJ:?8 @FE] %96 3:886C DA6?56CD H:== 92G6 2446DD E@ 2 4=F3[ H9:49 2=D@ :?4=F56D 6?92?465 7@@5 2?5 36G6C286 @AE:@?D] u2?D H9@ 5@?’E @AE 7@C 4=F3 D62ED H:== =:<6=J C6EC62E E@ E96 4@?4@FCD6[ H9:49 – :? 2 ?@5 E@ H92E E96 q:==D 6I64FE:G6D D2H :? {@D p?86=6D[ 2>@?8 @E96C DE25:F>D – :D 3F:=E H:E9 2 >@DE=J @A6? G:6H E@ E96 7:6=5 2?5 E96 23:=:EJ E@ H2=< 2== E96 H2J 2C@F?5]k^Am
kAm%92E :D 2?@E96C q|~ 762EFC6 E92E “z:> C62==J =:<65[” D2:5 w2E96H2J[ H9@ 4@?5F4E65 E96 !68F=2 E@FC @7 E96 DE25:F>]k^Am
kAm“*@F 92G6 2 AC6EEJ 8@@5 G:6H @7 E96 A:E49” – E96 7:6=5 – “:7 J@F’C6 H2=<:?8 E96 4@?4@FCD6[” 96 D2:5]k^Am
kAm|2?J }u{ DE25:F>D[ :?4=F5:?8 w:89>2C<[ 92G6 4@?4@FCD6D H:E9 =:EE=6 E@ ?@ G:6H @7 E96 7:6=5 3642FD6 4@?46DD:@? DE2?5D 2?5 C6DEC@@>D 2C6 3F:=E :?E@ E96 :?D:56 H2==] $:>:=2C E@ q|~ 2?5 @E96C ?6H6C DE25:F>D[ E96 ?6IE q:==D G6?F6 H:== 5@ E96 @AA@D:E6]k^Am
kAm“(6 >@G65 2== @7 @FC WC6DEC@@>D 2?5 4@?46DD:@?DX E@ E96 @FED:56[” w2E96H2J D2:5[ “H9:49 255D 2?@E96C :>A@CE2?E 6=6>6?E]”k^Am
kAm%9:D @?6 :D?’E ?66565 :? {@D p?86=6D[ 3FE 4@F=5 >2<6 2 G:E2= 5:776C6?46 :? ~C492C5 !2C<i “(6’C6 ECJ:?8 E@ 5@ 6G6CJE9:?8 H6 42? E@ 3=@4< E96 H:?5 4@>:?8 :? @77 {2<6 tC:6[” w2E96H2J D2:5[ “2D H6== 2D 8:G6 A6@A=6 D@>6 D96=E6C H96C6 :7 H6 H2C> E96> FA H:E9 C25:2?E 962E 5FC:?8 E96 H:?E6C[ E96J 42? D@CE @7 6I:DE >@C6 :? E92E 4=:>2E6 2C62]”k^Am
How will the experience of attending a game at this new stadium – which opens in 2026, if negotiations and construction schedules stay on track – vary from a game day at Highmark Stadium?
kAmk6>mkDEC@?8m• $62E:?8 =@42E:@?D 2?5 G6CE:42=:EJ]k^DEC@?8mk^6>m w:89>2C< $E25:F> :D DAC625 @FE] %96 D62E:?8 3@H= :D 2?8=65 @FEH2C5[ E96 DF:E6D 2?5 AC6>:F> D62ED 2C6 D42EE6C65 2C@F?5 E96 4@>A=6I[ 2?5 E96 >2:? <:E496? :D =@42E65 @FED:56 E96 DE25:F>]k^Am
kAmq|~ $E25:F>[ 3J 4@?EC2DE[ 92D DEC@?8=J G6CE:42= D62E:?8[ 6DA64:2==J :? E96 6?5 K@?6D] |@DE @7 E96 AC6>:F> D62E:?8 :D =@2565 @? E96 H6DE D:56 @7 E96 DE25:F>[ 2?5 =@42E65 @? =@H6C 2?5 9:896C =6G6=D[ H9:49 4C62E6D 2 C2?86 @7 AC:46 A@:?ED 7@C D2=6DA6@A=6 E@ A:E49 E@ AC@DA64E:G6 3FJ6CD]k^Am
kAmq|~’D >2:? <:E496? 2?5 6=6G2E@C DJDE6> 2=D@ :D =@42E65 @? E96 H6DE D:56 @7 E96 DE25:F>[ H9:49 >2<6D :E >@C6 677:4:6?E E@ D6?5 7@@5 E@ DF:E6D[ AC6>:F> D62E:?8 2C62D 2?5 @E96C 4@?46DD:@? DA@ED @? >F=E:A=6 =6G6=D @7 E96 DE25:F>]k^Am
kAmtJ6:?8 E9@D6 677:4:6?4:6D[ E96 q:==D 2C6 25@AE:?8 E9:D 2AAC@249 :? E96:C ?6H DE25:F> A=2?D] %96C6’D 2 3@?FD 36?67:E[ E@@i %62> @77:4:2=D H:== 36 23=6 E@ >:?8=6 H:E9 4@CA@C2E6 4=:6?ED >@C6 62D:=J] %92E 4@>6D 7C@> 2 DE24<65 DF:E6 56D:8?[ H9:49 H2D 2 z:> !68F=2 AC676C6?46]k^Am
kAm“%9:D 3F:=5:?8 96C6 AC@323=J H2D 96C 7:CDE D@CE @7 D?:AA6E 2E D66:?8 9@H E92E H@C<D[” w2E96H2J D2:5]k^Am
A lead architect on the Buffalo Bills stadium project discusses the design of the new stadium.
kAmk6>mkDEC@?8m• $F3E=6E:6D :? 4@=@C]k^DEC@?8mk^6>m q=24< 2?5 8@=5 2C6 E96 @77:4:2= 4@=@CD @7 E96 {@D p?86=6D ur] (9:=6 3@E9 E@?6D 2C6 2AA2C6?E E9C@F89@FE E96 DE25:F>[ E96J 2C6 EJA:42==J 2CE7F= 2?5 DF3E=6[ 6G6? C6DEC2:?65] q=24< =62E96C 4@F496D :? 2 7:6=5\=6G6= 3F?<6C DF:E6] p>36C\2446?E65 =:89E:?8 2?5 8@=5\EC:>>65 7:IEFC6D]k^Am
kAm“xE’D ?@E 4@>A=6E6=J :? J@FC 7246 2== E96 E:>6[” #244F:2 D2:5[ ?@E:?8 E92E E96 q:==D 8C@FA 2AAC64:2E65 E96 E62> 4@=@CD 36:?8 @? 5:DA=2J “:? 46CE2:? 2C62D[ H96C6 :E’D 72? 2AAC@AC:2E6[ 2?5 E96? :? D@>6 @7 E96 @E96C 2C62D[ J@F ?6G6C =@D6 D:89E @7 H96C6 J@F 24EF2==J 2C6]”k^Am
kAm%96 q:==D 2C6 25@AE:?8 E96 D2>6 2AAC@249[ @?6 E92E C6BF:C6D 2 ?F2?465 6J6 7@C 4@=@C 56D:8? 2?5 :D 5646:G:?8=J 5:77:4F=E E@ 56D4C:36]k^Am
kAmy@?2E92? |2==:6[ @?6 @7 E96 =625 2C49:E64ED @? E96 q:==D AC@;64E[ 56D4C:365 E96 DE25:F>’D 4@=@C]k^Am
kAm“xE’D 2 =:EE=6 3:E @7 2 4@>A=6I 2?DH6C[” D2:5 |2==:6[ H9@ :D 2 D6?:@C AC:?4:A2= 2?5 5:C64E@C 7@C !@AF=@FD] “(6 92G6 5:776C6?E 2DA64ED @7 E96 >2E6C:2=D H:E9:? E96 3F:=5:?8 E92E C6=2E6 E@ E96 4@@= 3=F6 766=[ 2?5 E96? H6 92G6 D@>6 H2C>6C 2DA64ED E92E C6=2E6 E@ E96 C65 766=] *@F 4C62E6 2 A2=6EE6 E92E H@C<D H:E9 3@E9] xE’D ?@E 6I24E=J E96 C65 2?5 3=F6[ 3FE :E’D 4@>A=6>6?E2CJ :? 2 H2J E92E 2>A=:7:6D E96 3C2?5]”k^Am
kAmx? D@>6 K@?6D @7 E96 DE25:F>[ 2? :?E6?D6 q:==D C65 @C 3=F6 H:== 36 G:D:3=6] qFE FDF2==J E9@D6 4@=@CD H:== 4@>6 7C@> E96 72?D H9@ 2C6 H62C:?8 ;6CD6JD @C 7246A2:?E @C C65[ 3=F6 2?5 H9:E6 +F32K A2?ED]k^Am
kAm“(6’C6 ?@E @G6C5@:?8 :E[” |2==:6 D2:5] “xE’D ?@E =:<6 E96 6?E:C6 DE25:F> :D C65 @C 3=F6] xE 364@>6D 2 324<5C@A[ 2?5 J@F >2<6 DFC6 E96 E@?6D 2?5 E96 4@=@C2E:@?D J@F’C6 H@C<:?8 H:E9 2C6 2 4@>A=6>6?E E@ E96 6?6C8J @7 E96 A6@A=6]”k^Am
Buffalo Bills owner Kim Pegula appreciated the crisp, clean and often-subtle Los Angeles FC branding at BMO Stadium.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles FC
Project leaders rely on a guiding set of principles – a checklist, if you will – for the design of the Bills’ projected $1.4 billion stadium, which the team plans to open in 2026 across the street from Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park.
kAmk6>mkDEC@?8mVqF:=5 >6 E9:DVk^DEC@?8mk^6>mk^Am
kAm$6G6C2= 52JD 27E6C E96 {@D p?86=6D E@FC[ E96 !68F=2D 2?5 ?62C=J EH@ 5@K6? @7 E96:C 72>:=J >6>36CD[ 6I64FE:G6D 2?5 AC@76DD:@?2= 4@?7:52?E6D 82E96C65 :? q@42 #2E@?[ u=2][ H96C6 %6CCJ 2?5 z:> !68F=2 =:G6[ 7@C 2 DE25:F> G:D:@?:?8 >66E:?8] (:E9 !@AF=@FD =6256CD DE66C:?8 E96 5:D4FDD:@?[ E96 8C@FA E2=<65 23@FE E96>6D 7@C E96 ?6H DE25:F>] (@C5D DF49 2D “AC@8C6DD:G6[” “>@56C?” 2?5 “C6D:=:6?E” H6C6 E@DD65 2C@F?5] $4@EE #2564:4[ 2 7@C>6C q:==D =:?6324<6C EFC?65 2C49:E64EFC2= 6?8:?66C 2?5 2?@E96C =6256C @? E96 AC@;64E[ C642==65 E96 !68F=2’D 6>A92D:D @? “7@@E32==[ 72>:=J[ 72?5@>[ 2?5 2 D6?D6 @7 36=@?8:?8 2?5 E@86E96C?6DD]”k^Am
kAm%96 :562D 7@C>65 E92E 52J H6C6 C@@E65[ 2E =62DE A2CE:2==J[ 2?5 46CE2:?=J D:8?:7:42?E=J[ :? E96 G:D:E E@ {@D p?86=6D]k^Am
kAm“(6 H2?E65 2 7@@E32== DE25:F> H96C6 @FC 72?D 42? 6IA6C:6?46 :E E@86E96C[” #244F:2 D2:5[ ?@E:?8 E96 be_\568C66 4@?4@FCD6 :? q|~ $E25:F> E92E 2==@HD A6@A=6 E@ “86E E@ E96:C 7C:6?5D 2E 92=7E:>6 5FC:?8 E96 82>6[ 367@C6 E96 82>6[ 27E6C E96 82>6]”k^Am
kAmp 76H 52JD =2E6C[ D6G6C2= >6>36CD @7 E96 DE25:F> 56D:8? E62> 7=6H E@ E96 &?:E65 z:?85@> E@ G:D:E %@EE6?92> w@EDAFC $E25:F>[ E96 D@446C 724:=:EJ E92E :D 2=D@ 9@>6 E@ E96 }u{’D {@?5@? 82>6D] u:?:D965 :? a_`h H:E9 2 42A24:EJ @7 D=:89E=J >@C6 E92? e_[___[ %@EE6?92> 92D E9@D6 72G@C65 762EFC6D D66? :? {@D p?86=6Di DE24<65 D62E:?8[ 42?@AJ 2?5 D@ @?]k^Am
kAm“tG6CJE9:?8 H6 D2H 2?5 =:<65 2E {p ur H2D ?@H DFA6CD:K65 E@ 2? }u{ DE25:F> :? %@EE6?92> :? 2=>@DE E96 6I24E D2>6 >2??6C[” #244F:2 D2:5] “%92E’D C62==J H96? :E 2== 4@??64E65 2?5 2== 42>6 E@86E96C]”k^Am
kAm~? E92E EC:A[ #244F:2 C6>6>36C65[ E96C6 H2D 2 >@>6?E H96? %6CCJ !68F=2 D@=:5:7:65 E96 q:==D’ DE25:F> G:D:@?]k^Am
kAm“~z[ 3F:=5 >6 E9:D[” !68F=2 D2:5[ 3J #244F:2’D C64@==64E:@?[ “3FE >2<6 :E 7@C qF772=@]”k^Am
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
