During the peak of Highmark Stadium's construction, more than 1,500 people made up its population. Architects, superintendents, steelworkers, electricians, trades workers, laborers and more frequented the stadium's dirt paths before the roads were paved.
While many came from different backgrounds, it created a diverse family that made history – the largest construction project Western New York has ever seen.
"You motivated each other, tried to pick each other up on the bad days," General Superintendent of Turner Construction Matt Sikora said. "You tried to help each other out, applauded your successes together as a team. That atmosphere is the reason why I loved it so much."
Another reason why Sikora loved working on the stadium project was because he got to do it with his daughter, Sam Sikora. The two grew closer in many ways because they shared a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Matt was near the top of the ladder on the construction project as a general superintendent. Sam was just starting out in the industry as a second-year intern.
"It was awesome," Sam said of working on the same site as her dad. "I have never experienced anything like it. I saw a whole different side of him. I obviously only know my dad; I don't know Matt Sikora. It was really special."
"Jim Kelly was here one day, and we were touring him through the building," Matt explained. "I saw my daughter and said to Jim, 'Can I introduce you to somebody?' He said, 'Yeah, sure.' Sam came up, and the first thing I said to her is, 'Josh Allen is to you as this man is to me.'
"Having her share that moment and connect those dots was priceless."
While moments like that describe how unique it is to have your child working with you on a monumental project, for the first few months on the job, Sam was told to go incognito. Her father didn't want her to be treated differently.
"He kept telling me I couldn't say that he was my dad," Sam explained. "I was like, I think they're going to figure it out."
"I didn't want her to get special treatment," Matt said. "I just wanted her to get treated like everyone else. I said, 'Just go do your work.'"
It didn't take long for people to figure out who Sam was connected to. Instead of getting treated differently, she quickly learned how respected her dad is amongst his peers.
"I heard the way people talk about him in such a positive manner," Sam said.
Workers view Matt in the same way Sam views her dad. He's someone to look up to.
"I started studying construction engineering because of my dad," Sam shared. "Obviously, I was always around it."
Matt started working in construction in 1996. Thirty years later, he became a leader on the site. He oversaw 26 superintendents and knew about every inch of the project.
"The general superintendent is the top of the pyramid on a construction site," Matt explained. "They answer to no one except the people in the office, but you're in charge of everything. So you have to know the seating, you have to know the elevators, structural steel, concrete, electrical, mechanical, plumbing enough where you could stand there and have a conversation, say, 'Hey, this isn't right; I think you've got to fix this.'"
The light came on for Sam to pursue the construction industry when her dad was working on the now Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo at the same time she had to visit for complex migraines.
"I had a 'woah moment' and thought, you don't have to be like a doctor to save people's lives. You can build the buildings that people go to, or change people's lives by building stadiums, building the venues that people go to," Sam said.
From that moment, she was hooked. She's beginning her junior year at Michigan State and is majoring in engineering. On the project, her day-to-day was frequenting all areas of the construction site to make sure work was completed.
"I did punch lists, so I got to run around everywhere with my iPad and took pictures of everything," Sam said.
Matt believed he kicked it into a higher gear because of his daughter's presence at work.
"It's very humbling to have your child work with you," Matt explained. "It takes you to a different level of performance because as a dad, you don't want to ever fail your kid. That's the last thing you want to do."
Matt also didn't want to fail his town or team. He was born and raised in Tonawanda and has been a Bills fan since he was a kid.
"There's nothing bigger than this, nothing better than this," Matt said of working on his team's stadium. "I don't think there ever will be. As a fan, as an athlete, it combines everything that you want to do in one."
While he grew up watching the Bills, he also grew up playing the sport. Matt played football at Western Michigan University. He started on the defensive line and moved to the offensive line during his senior year. He pursued playing professionally, but construction had a higher upside.
By combining his two passions, construction and football, he's learned that the two worlds parallel each other in more ways than one might think.
"There were a ton of similarities," Matt exclaimed. "Turner coined the term, 'The Working Athlete,' meaning in the workforce, you have to be athletic because you move so much in this job. Dion Dawkins visited and witnessed the stretch and flex for the laborers. Every morning, just like players do before practice, workers stretched. Dion smiled and said, 'Oh, I do this!'
"Another thing is, this group that came together to build this stadium will never be together again, similar to the 2026 Bills. Your goal in sports, when that team comes together, is to make it all the way, whether it's a World Series, Stanley Cup, or Super Bowl. Those teams rarely play together again."
It was the feeling of working together on a team that Matt sought out after he retired from football. He found that in construction, trading his cleats for some steel-toed boots.
The Sikora's version of the Super Bowl is making it to the Thursday night opener against Detroit on September 17. It's seeing Highmark Stadium open its doors to the people that will call it home, Bills Mafia. It's hearing the roars and cheers reverberate from Buffalo's newest landmark as Josh Allen runs through the tunnel for the first time.
"The laborers and construction workers, they ran through mountains to get the stadium done," Sam said. "People were here overtime. People were proud to be here. They wanted the work they did to look good. They're excited to come in and say, 'I poured that concrete. I was here because I love the Bills.'"
The workers on the job site embodied the many things that make people proud to be a Buffalonian.
"The people who built this are from Hamburg, Tonawanda, Orchard Park, Salamanca, West Seneca, Lancaster," Matt said. "They came here every day to build this, and they have a lot of pride in it."
"On this site, the saying 'The City of Good Neighbors' came to life," Sam said. "Everyone had each other's backs. We were all here for the same goal. We wanted to do this for each other and our community. It's a big deal. If you're from here, you know."
To many who helped build the stadium, the project marked the pinnacle of their careers. It's something they'll never forget. They got to help their hometown team.
Matt believes the biggest gesture of support they've received is seeing their names etched into the stadium. On the front door of Highmark Stadium, a sign reads, 'We Built This House.' Next to it are 5,369 names, the names of everyone who helped build Highmark Stadium.
The idea came from Bills owner Terry Pegula because he wanted a place where construction workers could bring their family and friends to show they had a part in building the stadium.
"Never have I seen anything like that," Matt said of the kind gesture. "So now, as the workers age and come back for a game, I get to see everybody standing out there looking for their names with their friends and family. I get to come with my daughter and reminisce about being a part of this. It's such an honor to have that be how we're remembered.
"It's true, it's right, and it's Buffalo."
From the 50-yard line marker in 2022, to the day of ribbon cutting in 2026, take a look back at the milestone moments of the construction progress at Highmark Stadium.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 07, 2022.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 07, 2022.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 05, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 05, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 05, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 05, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 05, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 31, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 31, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 31, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 02, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 02, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 20, 2023.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 02, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 02, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 02, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 02, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 02, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, March 15, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, March 15, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, March 15, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 05, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 15, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 15, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 23, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, September 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, September 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, September 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, September 03, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, November 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 06, 2024.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, January 30, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 14, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 14, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 30, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 30, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 16, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 16, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 28, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 28, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 28, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, August 28, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 04, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 06, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 07, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 07, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 07, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 07, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 08, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 08, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 10, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, October 24, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 05, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 05, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 05, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, December 05, 2025.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 26, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 26, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 26, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, February 26, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, April 13, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 11, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 11, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 11, 2026.
Video Board Test, May 5, 2026 at Highmark Stadium.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, May 11, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 15, 2026.
Highmark Stadium, May 11, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 15, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 16, 2026.
Behind-the-scenes photos of Highmark Stadium construction, June 16, 2026.
Highmark Stadium, June 15, 2026.
Highmark Stadium, June 15, 2026.
Highmark Stadium, June 15, 2026.
