Would we sell out a home playoff game?

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Duh!  Tough question.

[longtimebillsfan]

7 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Yes.  

 

/End thread.

 

Is this literally the most unnecessary thread of all time on here?  Its gotta be a contender

Yes

[HOUSE]

Is this a serious question ?

 

[BreezeMafia]

LOL...........really?

6 hours ago, Bakin said:

looks like 4 of the last 4 home playoff games didn’t sell out. 
 

Capacity was 80,000. 
 

Saturday Dec 28, 1996

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 70,213

 

Saturday Dec 30, 1995

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 73,103

 

Sunday Jan 23, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 76,642

 

Saturday Jan 15, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 61,923

 

The last four home playoff games in order and if the game was televised locally in Buffalo:

Jacksonville - No

This game was on Saturday and Wildcard Game #1 of Wildcard Weekend

 

Miami - Yes

This game was on Saturday and Wildcard Game #1 of Wildcard Weekend

 

Kansas City - Yes

AFC Championship

 

LA Raiders - Yes

AFC Division Round

[cage]

I think the OP's point is in connection to the fact that the most recent Ravens game, pretty big game, didn't sell out.  They've been running at 95% capacity, which in the middle of the league despite putting up their best season in a long time.  The Ravens game amounted to a good proxy for a home playoff game

 

http://www.espn.com/nfl/attendance/_/sort/homePct

 

I was at the Eagles game in Week 7, which also was a pretty big match-up given where they were at the time.  The game did not sell out (also poor weather) and probably a 1/4 of the crowd were Eagles fans

Edited December 12, 2019 by cage

[Buffalo Barbarian]

We sell out every game, you don't think we sell out a playoff game ???

 

 

[Beast]

7 hours ago, Bakin said:

looks like 4 of the last 4 home playoff games didn’t sell out. 
 

Capacity was 80,000. 
 

Saturday Dec 28, 1996

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 70,213

 

Saturday Dec 30, 1995

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 73,103

 

Sunday Jan 23, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 76,642

 

Saturday Jan 15, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 61,923

 

3 of those games were on local television because they he SOLD OUT.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Binghamton Beast

[HOUSE]

Maybe we do need a dome?

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

1 hour ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

We sell out every game, you don't think we sell out a playoff game ???

 

 

We don't sell out every game though.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Giuseppe Tognarelli

[Gugny]

4 minutes ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

We don't sell out every game though.

 

Only nine teams have sold out every home game this season.  Through 6 home games, Bills are at 13th with 95.7% capacity.

[Giuseppe Tognarelli]

7 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

Only nine teams have sold out every home game this season.  Through 6 home games, Bills are at 13th with 95.7% capacity.

Exactly

[Gordio]

10 hours ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

I thought some of the home playoff games in the '90s (specifically the comeback game) weren't sold out. So why are people acting like this is a dumb question?

 

 

A lot of things in play for that game why it didn't sellout.  They just got smoked up at the Astrodome on Sunday night by the same Oilers that we had to play the following week.  That gave the division to Miami & had to settle for the Wildcard.  That might seem like a nice opportunity now but back then fans were spoiled, coming off of two back to back #1 seeds.  Several starters were hurt including Kelly & Bennett & I believe Thurman Thomas also.   Back then too, there was no online stuff, moving 25-30K tickets in 4 - 5 days would be a tall task for any team.  Also, remember back then the stadium held over 80K people.  That was the only home playoff game besides Kelly's last game against Jacksonville in which the blackout was not lifted.  A lot of things in play. They still got I think 72 thousand + there, which would be a sellout today.

Edited December 12, 2019 by Gordio

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

40 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

Only nine teams have sold out every home game this season.  Through 6 home games, Bills are at 13th with 95.7% capacity.

 

Then as a NY resident I say

 

Do Your Job and make that 95.7 into 100% 

 

[Gordio]

9 hours ago, Bakin said:

looks like 4 of the last 4 home playoff games didn’t sell out. 
 

Capacity was 80,000. 
 

Saturday Dec 28, 1996

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 70,213

 

Saturday Dec 30, 1995

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 73,103

 

Sunday Jan 23, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 76,642

 

Saturday Jan 15, 1994

Start Time: 12:30pm

Stadium: Rich Stadium

Attendance: 61,923

 

 

 

That is actual attendance.  The only two home games that did not sellout were Houston & Jacksonville.  That 61K Oakland game was sold out believe it or not but had about 20K no shows because the temps with the wind chill were like -20 that day.

[billybob71]

what this thread proves is that Bills Mafia is lame, spoiled, afraid of the cold, and does not support its team.

We are just a bunch of whiners who post stupid s*** on two bills drive.? ? And we have a dumb nickname for ourselves

Edited December 12, 2019 by billybob71

[Bob Chandler's Hands]

9 hours ago, Bakin said:

That’s really dumb. 
facts is facts. 

 

I already reserved my tickets but considering history - I thought it was somewhat relevant. 

Fans were very spoiled back then after all the years of home playoff games. 

And the economy was pretty bad in WNY at that time so paying the higher price to fill the 80,000 seat stadium before the era of Stubhub was not so easy as today. 

in 2020, opposing team fans would soak up the remaining tickets in any event. 

[Gugny]

1 hour ago, SlimShady'sGhost said:

 

Then as a NY resident I say

 

Do Your Job and make that 95.7 into 100% 

 

 

There is one TBD user who opined that, if a Bills fan lives in NY and is not a season ticket holder, then that Bills fan isn't "as committed of a fan," as those who do have season tickets.

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

50 minutes ago, billybob71 said:

what this thread proves is that Bills Mafia is lame, spoiled, afraid of the cold, and does not support its team.

We are just a bunch of whiners who post stupid s*** on two bills drive.? ? And we have a dumb nickname for ourselves

 

I do not mean to be rude at all

 

your post indicates that you think everyone calls themselves part of the Bills Mafia

11 minutes ago, Gugny said:

 

There is one TBD user who opined that, if a Bills fan lives in NY and is not a season ticket holder, then that Bills fan isn't "as committed of a fan," as those who do have season tickets.

 

Oh my ...  Ummm  How many people (head of households) live in NY state?  

there isn't a stadium big enough 

[foreboding]

Is this a trick question?

[klos63]

2 hours ago, Gordio said:

 

 

A lot of things in play for that game why it didn't sellout.  They just got smoked up at the Astrodome on Sunday night by the same Oilers that we had to play the following week.  That gave the division to Miami & had to settle for the Wildcard.  That might seem like a nice opportunity now but back then fans were spoiled, coming off of two back to back #1 seeds.  Several starters were hurt including Kelly & Bennett & I believe Thurman Thomas also.   Back then too, there was no online stuff, moving 25-30K tickets in 4 - 5 days would be a tall task for any team.  Also, remember back then the stadium held over 80K people.  That was the only home playoff game besides Kelly's last game against Jacksonville in which the blackout was not lifted.  A lot of things in play. They still got I think 72 thousand + there, which would be a sellout today.

But the self proclaimed 'greatest fans' found many reasons to not show up for a playoff game. We obviously were Super Bowl contenders but I guess that's not enough. Buffalo fans love to knock other fans for their lack of support- imagine if Miami didn't sell out a playoff game, that's all you would read about on this site.

[row_33]

by SB year 3 it was dissipating as a thing

 

i would have no doubt a home playoff game for the Bills in this season would sell out easily.

[Gordio]

1 hour ago, klos63 said:

But the self proclaimed 'greatest fans' found many reasons to not show up for a playoff game. We obviously were Super Bowl contenders but I guess that's not enough. Buffalo fans love to knock other fans for their lack of support- imagine if Miami didn't sell out a playoff game, that's all you would read about on this site.

 

 

I was there, sat in the top row of the upper decks.  We contemplated leaving at halftime but we paid I believe $45 for the tickets & back then being broke college kids we decided to stick it out & try to get our money's worth.  When the Bills score their first TD to make it 35-10 my one friend made a comment & said "the sad thing is probably at least half the people in the stadium think we still have a chance of winning."  The funny thing was as the game got closer we looked out the stadium & could see people climbing the fences.  That was the greatest sporting event I was ever at.

 

I was also at that Jacksonville playoff game when Kelly got knocked out.  There was an eerie feeling about that game as we walked out to the parking lot after they loss.  I remember thinking to myself "ah they will reload next year & be right back at it."  Little did I know that would be the last playoff game played at the Stadium.  That was 23 years ago.  

 

Also, I remember the temps were in the 50's that day.  Can't blame the weather for not selling out that game.  

[1ManRaid]

OP definitely seems to have an agenda so if he could just come out and say what it is, that would be great.

[Liberal Bob]

Yes the game would be a sell out however it might be harder than people think. If the game is a Saturday or Sunday afternoon then it is a no brainer. But on the other hand if the game is played at 8 pm on a Saturday or Sunday evening in frigid cold I can see people staying home in front of the tv.

 

The game time will decide it for sure.

 

If it means anything I know of a scalper that has bought many tickets for the first playoff game if that means anything. The thought being that it would be a very ticket or he would simply not of bought them.

 

[row_33]

Bills relied on local business to clear out the last 5-15,000 seats back then to help get sellouts

 

Tops was instrumental in coming through to make sure the game was on TV

 

[PromoTheRobot]

7 hours ago, Buffalo Barbarian said:

We sell out every game, you don't think we sell out a playoff game ???

 

 

 

But we DON'T sell out every game. The Ravens game didn't sell out and the Jets hasn't either. That's why the question.

[Lv-Bills]

https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/one-of-two-possible-home-playoff-games-for-the-bills-sells-out/

 

LOL.  Wow.  Considering one game is already sold out......

Edited December 12, 2019 by Lv-Bills

[GunnerBill]

Who voted no?

[Buffalo Barbarian]

30 minutes ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

But we DON'T sell out every game. The Ravens game didn't sell out and the Jets hasn't either. That's why the question.

 

 

 

[RyanC883]

16 hours ago, Bakin said:

The last home playoff game we had. 
1996??

Did it sell out?

 

Answer: No. 

 

 

 

symptom of sports fans getting quickly spoiled.  Figured there would be other home playoff games to attend.  OOPS.  

[Don Otreply]

I voted yes, after all the years of team incompetence you would think there would not only sell out the stadium but have screens in lots for the over flow, 

 

Go Bills!!!

[CLTbills]

17 hours ago, Bakin said:

Assume we get one. 
How hot is that ticket??

 

Pretty positive tickets already went on sale for the "potential" home playoff game and it is already sold out. 

So..... yes.

 

EDIT: See attached screenshot.

Edited December 12, 2019 by CLTbills

[cba fan]

18 hours ago, Giuseppe Tognarelli said:

I thought some of the home playoff games in the '90s (specifically the comeback game) weren't sold out. So why are people acting like this is a dumb question?

because we are talking about a home playoff game that Bills fans have not had for decades vs.........a very long playoff run in the 90's with many home playoff games that then resulted in a couple at the end of that run that did not sell out. Plus at that time the stadium held about approx 7 to 10k more or so.

 

Plus the first Bills home playoff game for this season at home, if it happens,  is already sold out.

Edited December 12, 2019 by cba fan

[row_33]

2 hours ago, RyanC883 said:

 

symptom of sports fans getting quickly spoiled.  Figured there would be other home playoff games to attend.  OOPS.  

 

they quit selling out the 3rd SB playoff run, 1996 was like a long time after that

 

 

[Mikie2times]

OP,  to give you an idea, you not only have the local fan base fighting for a ticket but you have an entire generation of Bills fans between the ages of 34-41 (Give or take) across the United States that has never had a chance to see a Home playoff game. That fan base was was born from the early 90's Bills and these people become fans as kids because we had a lot of national exposure. Now they make adult money. I'm one of them and know several others. Good luck getting a ticket, it will be hard to come by. 

[RiotAct]

41 minutes ago, KzooMike said:

OP,  to give you an idea, you not only have the local fan base fighting for a ticket but you have an entire generation of Bills fans between the ages of 34-41 (Give or take) across the United States that has never had a chance to see a Home playoff game. That fan base was was born from the early 90's Bills and these people become fans as kids because we had a lot of national exposure. Now they make adult money. I'm one of them and know several others. Good luck getting a ticket, it will be hard to come by. 

Great point!  Last time the Bills had a home playoff game, I was 8 years old and getting $5/week allowance from my parents.  And wearing Bugle Boy apparel to school.

[Bakin]

1 hour ago, KzooMike said:

OP,  to give you an idea, you not only have the local fan base fighting for a ticket but you have an entire generation of Bills fans between the ages of 34-41 (Give or take) across the United States that has never had a chance to see a Home playoff game. That fan base was was born from the early 90's Bills and these people become fans as kids because we had a lot of national exposure. Now they make adult money. I'm one of them and know several others. Good luck getting a ticket, it will be hard to come by. 

Got my tix on reserve so I’m good. 
 

[elijah]

This past game was 10-2 vs 9-3, the best records for a game at The Ralph this late in the year since either 1991 or 1992 — I forget the exact statistic but that’s a fairly close ballpark.  Tickets were selling for less than $30 come gametime.

 

The amount of people giving sh*t to the OP for this topic is ridiculous.  It’s a serious question that warrants serious consideration. 

 

A dome is needed. I agree with all the ‘weather is a part of the game,’ people, but more importantly than that are the ‘‘money talks’ people. 

[TwistofFate]

What kind of question is this? 

 

If you can't sell out your first home playoff game in 20 years, your city doesn't even deserve a team. 

[Punching Bag]

Bills did not sell out during the Kelly Superbowl years so I think it greatly has to do with opponent.  If Ravens take AFC as likely and Pittsburgh gets in and travels to Buffalo yes.  But is a team without a strong road presence no.