Maybe we do need a dome? Ticket prices

[ColoradoBills]

20 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Also there's a bunch of unsold box office tickets for this game and the Jets. Didn't someone tell me here that fans would pack the stadium in December if the games meant something?

 

Not to mention a boost for signing free agents.

 

But even then some of those games didn't sell out.

 

I was just n the Bills Ticket office site and there are only a couple of hundred tickets left in the overhangs and some mid level.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

3 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

Simple economics- even at cheaper ticket prices- around the holidays people have to tighten up. I will be there and am fortunate to be able to afford it, not everyone can.

If there aren't enough Bills fans to buy sub-$100 tickets, I can't understand how anyone thinks a new stadium is going to work.

[billsfan_34]

4 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

If there aren't enough Bills fans to buy sub-$100 tickets, I can't understand how anyone thinks a new stadium is going to work.

Exactly- we will be talking PSL’s and higher ticket prices. 

[corta765]

18 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

 

Nah.

 

KC, NE, Green Bay have plenty of offense without a dome.  Full stadiums too...

 

KC- Bigger city and market

NE- Bigger city and market

GB- Season ticket waiting list so long your lucky if after a decade you can get tickets and the stadium/area is a pilgrimage for football fans

 

Buffalo.... we tailgate

1 minute ago, billsfan_34 said:

Exactly- we will be talking PSL’s and higher ticket prices. 

 

They don't have to do PSLs. For some reason people just assume it has to be done, its an organizational choice. Higher ticket prices mean the team is healthier and in demand. Having tickets this available at a low price before a game of this magnitude does not reflect the best.

[billsfan_34]

6 minutes ago, corta765 said:

 

KC- Bigger city and market

NE- Bigger city and market

GB- Season ticket waiting list so long your lucky if after a decade you can get tickets and the stadium/area is a pilgrimage for football fans

 

Buffalo.... we tailgate

 

They don't have to do PSLs. For some reason people just assume it has to be done, its an organizational choice. Higher ticket prices mean the team is healthier and in demand. Having tickets this available at a low price before a game of this magnitude does not reflect the best.

PSL’s offset the cost of a new build. Time will tell 

[BillsPride12]

Maybe everybody is saving their money for playoff tickets this year?

[Da webster guy]

There will be people in every seat.

 

Pegula has enough money.

 

Cheaper ticket prices mean more people can afford to go to the game that otherwise might not go.

 

No such thing as bad weather, just bad winter gear (make sure you bring a stadium blanket and a nice seat cushion)

 

Go Bills !

[Steptide]

The TV royalties from this being nationally televised will be plenty more than tickets sales. Also, I thought the bills changed the way they charge for tickets a few years back. I can't remember what it was called, but basically the earlier season games were more expensive than later in the season. A while back I could've gotten tickets for this game for $25, and that was for 300 level at the 40 yard line (pretty decent seats) 

Edited December 4, 2019 by Steptide

[Captain Hindsight]

32 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

Unbelievable that there are still tickets available from the Bills. It's not just that people are reselling them... The game isn't actually sold out. At home. 9-3 vs. 10-2. I'm not sure how this and "The Bills have the best fans in the league" can both be true. I'll probably get flamed for that, but really, what other conclusion can you draw? I think this game would be sold out in similarly cold Pittsburgh or Green Bay.

You buy tickets?

 

 

[HOUSE]

We don't need a dome

 

[Bubba Gump]

Cold weather? It's gonna in the mid 40's on Sunday. That's great weather for a December game. The past two November home games were colder. The cold doesn't bother me, you just have to dress right. I'd rather sit in 40-50 degrees than 75-85 degrees where it's impossible to cool yourself down. They call it football weather for a reason. I'll be there Sunday and I'll also be there week 17 in what could be a meaningless game against the hapless Jets. I can't ever see the Bills playing a mid January home playoff game in a dome, especially against teams like Indy, Houston, L.A., Miami, etc. It would ruin it for me. But hey, that's just me.

Edited December 4, 2019 by Bubba Gump

[OZBILLS]

What i'd give to be over there in the cold

 

Going to be mid 90's over here on Monday morning

[boater]

I'd like a dome if they could play more concerts in it. It lures in money from out of town.

 

A dome for ten games a year (including the preseason) just won't cut it.

[ThurmasThoman]

Honestly, Buffalo is due for a major market correction in their ticket distribution. A number of factors have gone into making the mess that is Bills ticketing, but 2 decades of irrelevance leading to low entry cost for seasons, and the low entry cost for seasons making the "commute" viable for people coming from VERY far away for games, creates what you have now, and what you're seeing with this game. 

With the team having a better product on the field, ticket prices will go up--and when ticket prices go up, people from Maine/New Hampshire/Ohio/etc. will have to decide if it's worth keeping their seasons, or if they should be single game buyers. With season ticket prices increasing, you'll also get the "sunk cost" fallacy at play for games like this Baltimore one, where people who payed thousands for seasons will feel like they HAVE to attend the late season contests to make the cost worth it.

 

Dome/weather has nothing to do with it, honestly. 

[Augie]

3 hours ago, TroutDog said:

Weather. Plus, most think we will lose. 
 

I don’t! ? 

 

We had DECADES of conditioning! How quickly we getting picky. ?

 

I like the way you think, and I sure hope you are right! 

[Charles Romes]

In the early 90s everyone ran out of cash around Christmas.  The Comeback was not a sellout. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

1 hour ago, billsfan_34 said:

Yep- people don’t wanna drive in dark n possible bad weather either. 

Ever ski’d when its -20 windchill? It straight up sucks. I learned quick to pick the nicer days ?

you dress warm enough and wear a full face mask you s/b good to go. 
 

when you are skiing and the temp is zero the wind chill will always be much worse. 
 

[Augie]

17 minutes ago, JohnnyGold said:

Honestly, Buffalo is due for a major market correction in their ticket distribution. A number of factors have gone into making the mess that is Bills ticketing, but 2 decades of irrelevance leading to low entry cost for seasons, and the low entry cost for seasons making the "commute" viable for people coming from VERY far away for games, creates what you have now, and what you're seeing with this game. 

With the team having a better product on the field, ticket prices will go up--and when ticket prices go up, people from Maine/New Hampshire/Ohio/etc. will have to decide if it's worth keeping their seasons, or if they should be single game buyers. With season ticket prices increasing, you'll also get the "sunk cost" fallacy at play for games like this Baltimore one, where people who payed thousands for seasons will feel like they HAVE to attend the late season contests to make the cost worth it.

 

Dome/weather has nothing to do with it, honestly. 

 

You make a VERY good point in that first paragraph, but I bet it’s some of both. When I get back for a game I’m always amazed by how far so many people have come to attend. Many have seasons, and they make the effort, which is a substantial commitment of time and money. 

 

Having said that, I go back for the home opener or an early season game. I still have a good buddy in WNY with seasons (at least as of a couple years ago). He goes in a group of four with awesome seats! If they get really foul weather late in the year they often make it a game day decision. I’m sure some others plan ahead trying to dump the tix and recoup some of the cost. I’m sure Raven fans are particularly rabid this year due to what they are doing on the field and all the hype it is getting nationally. I hope they are not represented TOO well, but I expect it to be more than it would have been just last year or in a typical season. 

 

I make one home game a year, so I don’t claim to be an expert, but I think both factors come into play. Regardless, I do expect changes in the ticket pricing structure, and eventually the venue. 

 

 

.

Edited December 4, 2019 by Augie

[TheFunPolice]

it's a league wide problem this season...

 

the home theater experience is too good... your own couch, better way cheaper beer, no drunken morons who just want to fight, and much cleaner restrooms

 

Plus, no issues with parking or driving home in traffic

[Call_Of_Ktulu]

A dome would be a huge boost for us. It's the main reason we don't go up for a second game in December and on, its too freaking cold. Would definitely be a selling point to players as well as coaches. 

[leonbus23]

I prefer a dome. I went to both L.A. teams temporary stadiums, the Bills and the Cardinals this season. The Cardinals by far was the most comfortable stadium. It's not just the weather, but also the seats. So, a dome with nice new comfortable seats would be fantastic for my once a year visit to Buffalo. 

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

1 hour ago, Captain Hindsight said:

You buy tickets?

 

 

Yes, lol. I was a season ticket holder last year and drove 5 hours both ways. Otherwise, I've been to about 20 other individual games. I couldn't this year because I have to work on Sundays. If I lived in Buffalo, I'd definitely go to each and every home game.

[TroutDog]

28 minutes ago, Augie said:

 

We had DECADES of conditioning! How quickly we getting picky. ?

 

I like the way you think, and I sure hope you are right! 

I know, I know.  I gotta tell you, since I started treatment, I can’t do it anymore. Just can’t handle the cold. I can tell you this, too: I am LOUD so I’ll be missed!!!! ? 

 

Actually, they may hear me in Buffalo from the east side of Rochester!!!!

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

2 hours ago, Billsfan1972 said:

Thank you all those who ensured a sellout and that the game is on TV......?

Sellouts or lack thereof haven't affected TV airing for some years now.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

I don't buy the talk about it not being sold out because people can't afford it. In a region this large, there have to be more than enough Bills fans who are not so economically challenged so as to have to choose between $50 tickets and Christmas presents. I think it's mostly an issue of the weather and comfortable living rooms, and maybe there aren't as many diehards as Bills Mafia would like to think.

[OZBILLS]

20 minutes ago, TheFunPolice said:

it's a league wide problem this season...

 

the home theater experience is too good... your own couch, better way cheaper beer, no drunken morons who just want to fight, and much cleaner restrooms

 

Plus, no issues with parking or driving home in traffic

 

You haven't met my partner

 

 

[Meatloaf63]

40 minutes ago, Charles Romes said:

In the early 90s everyone ran out of cash around Christmas.  The Comeback was not a sellout. 

Th first two years of the 4 year run were packed, after that the plastic fans Stopped coming because they kept losing Super Bowls. It was terrible...

[bbb]

55 minutes ago, JohnnyGold said:

Honestly, Buffalo is due for a major market correction in their ticket distribution. A number of factors have gone into making the mess that is Bills ticketing, but 2 decades of irrelevance leading to low entry cost for seasons, and the low entry cost for seasons making the "commute" viable for people coming from VERY far away for games, creates what you have now, and what you're seeing with this game. 

With the team having a better product on the field, ticket prices will go up--and when ticket prices go up, people from Maine/New Hampshire/Ohio/etc. will have to decide if it's worth keeping their seasons, or if they should be single game buyers. With season ticket prices increasing, you'll also get the "sunk cost" fallacy at play for games like this Baltimore one, where people who payed thousands for seasons will feel like they HAVE to attend the late season contests to make the cost worth it.

 

Dome/weather has nothing to do with it, honestly. 

 

Honestly, I don't really know what you're talking about.  

2 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Also there's a bunch of unsold box office tickets for this game and the Jets. Didn't someone tell me here that fans would pack the stadium in December if the games meant something?

 

 

This made me think it's a little like 1987.  Polian was complaining because either we didn't sell out or had trouble selling out the Patriots game in December when somehow it had playoff implications.  He said your 2nd sentence.

 

But, I do think people make football plans way early.  Mostly out of towners, but also probably some people in town..............I know a number of people who picked the Eagles game to come to for their one game..............But, next year, maybe a later game vs. a big opponent will have the same demand that the late season 1988 games did. 

[bbb]

 

2 hours ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

In DC tickets were on sale for  $4.00 

 

that's right FOUR 

 

The Bills ownership ahs done all it could to make games affordable for the Western and Central NY fans and our Canadian "neighbours" 

 

The Redskins demand SHOULD be four dollars.....................I agree about ownership but this is about supply and demand on the secondary market.  Not the owners.  

[PromoTheRobot]

17 minutes ago, bbb said:

 

Honestly, I don't really know what you're talking about.  

 

This made me think it's a little like 1987.  Polian was complaining because either we didn't sell out or had trouble selling out the Patriots game in December when somehow it had playoff implications.  He said your 2nd sentence.

 

But, I do think people make football plans way early.  Mostly out of towners, but also probably some people in town..............I know a number of people who picked the Eagles game to come to for their one game..............But, next year, maybe a later game vs. a big opponent will have the same demand that the late season 1988 games did. 

 

You and I are old enough to remember the Super Bowl run, that there were more than a few late season and even playoff games that either didn't sell out or needed Ch.2 (NBC had the AFC then) to buy out a game to lift the blackout.

 

Even though I hate being cold and wet, I am planning on being at the Jets game, and hopefully any home playoffs games.

Edited December 4, 2019 by PromoTheRobot

[Tesla03]

We need to hire the people who design european football (soccer) stadiums. if the team wants to keep the outdoor atmosphere alive just build roof covering over the seats with heaters that turn on when its cold. 

 

the fans won't feel a drop of rain/snow but the field won't be covered. also they are designed to amplify the noise levels. 

[PromoTheRobot]

1 minute ago, Tesla03 said:

We need to hire the people who design european football (soccer) stadiums. if the team wants to keep the outdoor atmosphere alive just build roof covering over the seats with heaters that turn on when its cold. 

 

the fans won't feel a drop of rain/snow but the field won't be covered. also they are designed to amplify the noise levels. 

 

At that point you might as well build a roof. Also it's damn near impossible to heat an open air stadium.

Edited December 4, 2019 by PromoTheRobot

[billsfanmiami(oh)]

2 hours ago, billsfan_34 said:

Ha you are a better person than me. It is great when the slopes are wide open. 30-40 with wind and rain at a Bills game can suck- its why I opted for clubs now ?

Simple economics- even at cheaper ticket prices- around the holidays people have to tighten up. I will be there and am fortunate to be able to afford it, not everyone can.

I’ve been thinking about moving to the clubs the last couple years. They really are fantastic. I kinda just want to see how the stadium situation plays out before making the commitment though. If my current “good” lower bowl seats double in price I’m fine with it. If I go to clubs (double) and then they again double, I’d probably have a (more) pissed off wife! 

[Tesla03]

1 minute ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

At that point you might as well build a roof. Also it's damn near impossible to heat an open air stadium.

 

it won't need that much heating, there are already heated sections in new era field. 

 

they just need a design that eliminates all wind, the wind is the worst part of our current stadium. 

[bbb]

18 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

You and I are old enough to remember the Super Bowl run, that there were more than a few late season and even playoff games that either didn't sell out or needed Ch.2 (NBC had the AFC then) to buy out a game to lift the blackout.

 

Even though I hate being cold and wet, I am planning on being at the Jets game, and hopefully any home playoffs games.

 

I remember it happening, but that might have been later in the 90s because I also remember many game weeks when they'd announce they are down to single seats, and I'd think who is going to buy a single seat.............Since I've had to sell my one ticket a few times this year (that I sit with my friends) - I've found out a lot of people buy single seats.  

 

17 minutes ago, Tesla03 said:

We need to hire the people who design european football (soccer) stadiums. if the team wants to keep the outdoor atmosphere alive just build roof covering over the seats with heaters that turn on when its cold. 

 

the fans won't feel a drop of rain/snow but the field won't be covered. also they are designed to amplify the noise levels. 

 

It seems like that's what's been done with the ever changing name that the Dolphins play in. 

[billsfan_34]

16 minutes ago, billsfanmiami(oh) said:

I’ve been thinking about moving to the clubs the last couple years. They really are fantastic. I kinda just want to see how the stadium situation plays out before making the commitment though. If my current “good” lower bowl seats double in price I’m fine with it. If I go to clubs (double) and then they again double, I’d probably have a (more) pissed off wife! 

You can always relocate back down to the lower bowl area. I cant see the ticket prices doubling but I definitely can see an increase. I think there are some great sight lines between rows 20-30 in the lower and in the clubs I lose a little there but the view is still great. I also enjoy no line going in, basically a sports type bar area, nice bathrooms and the heat lamps above. In the few years ive been up there ive witnessed one fight almost break out- I politely told the instigator that his behavior isnt allowed and he blew me off- there was older people and children around, called security over and they were gone. It is nice not having the tension in the concourses.

[PromoTheRobot]

24 minutes ago, Tesla03 said:

 

it won't need that much heating, there are already heated sections in new era field. 

 

they just need a design that eliminates all wind, the wind is the worst part of our current stadium. 

 

Yes, about 6 rows of the club section. And it's still cold in rows 1 and 2. Good luck heating 20-25 rows. And you'll never perfectly shield wind in an open air stadium.

[billsfan_34]

1 hour ago, TheFunPolice said:

it's a league wide problem this season...

 

the home theater experience is too good... your own couch, better way cheaper beer, no drunken morons who just want to fight, and much cleaner restrooms

 

Plus, no issues with parking or driving home in traffic

I have had many tell me why go to the game when I can watch it on my 80 inch etc with great food and no drive. I get it and to each their own, I just love being at the stadium however games on TV are great too- just different experiences/conveniences/inconveniences.

6 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

Yes, about 6 rows of the club section. And it's still cold in rows 1 and 2. Good luck heating 20-25 rows. And you'll never perfectly shield wind in an open air stadium.

8 rows are under cover. Right around that area on down you wont really feel the heat. I am in row 15 and towards the inside aisle so I am shielded from the wind, the heat is felt and the suites directly behind me always have the windows open and heat spills out. On nice days moving down to row 1-2 if open is a killer view!!!

 

On a side note- huge mistake having the end zones going west to east! If the stadium was situated north to south most of the westerly winds we normally get would have been blocked.

Edited December 5, 2019 by billsfan_34

[bbb]

7 minutes ago, billsfan_34 said:

On a side note- huge mistake having the end zones going west to east! If the stadium was situated north to south most of the westerly winds we normally get would have been blocked.

 

I learned when they were talking about the different stadium sites that all stadiums have to face that way - otherwise the sun will be blinding going into it.  

Totally agree with you on the in game experience being better 

[Mr. WEO]

2 hours ago, corta765 said:

 

KC- Bigger city and market

NE- Bigger city and market

GB- Season ticket waiting list so long your lucky if after a decade you can get tickets and the stadium/area is a pilgrimage for football fans

 

 

 

The argument being made by the poster was that a dome would or does lead to a consistently good/productive Offense, not "bigger markets fill stadiums all season".