Going to my first Bills home game

[Hambone]

I am born and raised in Kentucky, but have been a diehard Bills fan since the Super Bowl years. Over the last several years, I have turned my son into a diehard fan as well. For my sons graduation and my birthday, my wife got us tickets to the Vikings game. It will be my first Bills home game and my sons first Bills game ever. I have a few questions about the gameday experience i was hoping someone would answer for me.

 

1. If I wanted to Uber to the game, where is a good location to have them drop us off at to avoid as much traffic as possible. Somewhere within a reasonable walking distance. I would say a mile or so from the stadium. We are staying in East Aurora.

 

2. Where is Hammer's Lot? The parking lot maps I see just show lot numbers. We want to check out the tailgating experience and heard that it is one place I should check out. Also, are there any other lots I should visit? 

 

3. Is there any thing special I need to know about entering the stadium? Do you still have to have proof of Covid vaccine, or was that just a thing last year? 

 

4. As far as dressing for the game, what is the weather typically like mid-November. Is it usually colder or warmer then the temperature suggests in the stadium?

 

That is all I can think of for now. If there is anything else you think I may need to know, please let me know.

 

Thanks and Go Bills!!!

[albanyfan]

Temperature-wise, I’d say somewhere between 25 and 55 degrees. So dress appropriately.

[RiotAct]

Hammer Lot is right across Abbott Road from the stadium, next to the RV/camper lot.  Google “Buffalo Bills parking lot maps” and there’s some good ones out there in the public domain.

 

Mid-November weather is a crapshoot… it could be 55 and sunny, or 20 and snowing. Or anything in between.

 

No vaccine cards or proof of vaccine required anymore.

Edited October 26, 2022 by RiotAct

[US Egg]

Never went to a game without a packed vehicle.

 

A place to keep everything needed for November weather. Weather varying clothes/rain gear, supplies for and during multiple hours of pre/post game tailgating, somewhere to warm up while tailgating and an after game changing room. 

Mother Nature can be kind or cruel in November.

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by I am the egg man

[Einstein]

I would not Uber to the game, personally.

 

Unless you want to be dropped off a mile from the stadium and walk the rest.

 

All traffic within a mile of the stadium gets very congested.

 

Photo I took of the traffic going to the game a few weeks ago:

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Einstein

[Big Turk]

Weather wise November can be crazy. Anything from 60 and sunny to mid 20s and snowy.

 

Typically November can be pretty windy and along with March is probably the month we get the most frequent high wind warnings. 

 

I'd make sure to have hunter heat packs for your feet and hands if you need to wear gloves. Have attended numerous cold weather games and one of the worst feeling is between plays with your feet being so cold that all you can think about is how they feel like they are freezing and having that cold concrete come up through the bottom of your shoes.

 

After the first time I used some hunter heat packs in my boots and gloves I would never attend another cold weather game without them...made it so much better where I could actually not even worry about it between plays.

 

 

Also, my advice would be to get there early...tailgating here is second to nowhere so come have the full Bills experience.

Edited October 26, 2022 by Big Turk

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Rent a car and drive and park. Nothing but frustration will come from Uber to stadium and back.  

[eee1776]

No sneaks. Keep feet warm with a good boot.

[haroldwaide]

I always tell everyone to take in one more layer then you think you'll need.  A t shirt and jacket might feel like enough, but after a couple of hours in the stadium you might wish you'd brought your sweater in. Better to be prepared.

 

[LabattBlue]

Two piece rain suit is a must. Regardless of temps(20°-50°), if you get wet…it will be miserable. Ponchos don't get the job done.   You don’t have to spend a lot. Can find something decent for $30-40.  

[Bills!Win!]

Get there 4 hours before the game. Park on one of the lawns across the street from Hammer Lot. There’s plenty to do and see around the stadium. I would suggest lining up at the gates 15 minutes before they open, you’ll be able to get in and see the players warm up. If you wait til 12 to get in you could miss part of the game. If you’re on the tunnel side you’ll get to see a lot of the Bills players. Diggs throws the ball around with fans.
 

My wife only ever liked the Yankees. She made fun of me for being a bills fan and liking football. She never understood why Western New York was obsessed with football and didn’t understand my fandemonium  I took her to the Tennessee game. We sat in the 2nd row, got on TV, saw Bruce and Thurman up close, caught a football from a titans player and the bills won. Now she’s a bigger fan than I am. 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Bills!Win!

[machine gun kelly]

1 hour ago, Hambone said:

I am born and raised in Kentucky, but have been a diehard Bills fan since the Super Bowl years. Over the last several years, I have turned my son into a diehard fan as well. For my sons graduation and my birthday, my wife got us tickets to the Vikings game. It will be my first Bills home game and my sons first Bills game ever. I have a few questions about the gameday experience i was hoping someone would answer for me.

 

1. If I wanted to Uber to the game, where is a good location to have them drop us off at to avoid as much traffic as possible. Somewhere within a reasonable walking distance. I would say a mile or so from the stadium. We are staying in East Aurora.

 

2. Where is Hammer's Lot? The parking lot maps I see just show lot numbers. We want to check out the tailgating experience and heard that it is one place I should check out. Also, are there any other lots I should visit? 

 

3. Is there any thing special I need to know about entering the stadium? Do you still have to have proof of Covid vaccine, or was that just a thing last year? 

 

4. As far as dressing for the game, what is the weather typically like mid-November. Is it usually colder or warmer then the temperature suggests in the stadium?

 

That is all I can think of for now. If there is anything else you think I may need to know, please let me know.

 

Thanks and Go Bills!!!

Hambone, have a great time.  I’m sure you’ll check the weather that day.  I’ve heard Uber is a nightmare so consider a rental.  If alcohol is a must then Uber just or be safe, but hang at the big tree for a couple hours so you can easily Uber.  You’ll be fine.

 

Get you’re MT and for me Blasdell Pizza.  There is great fine dining, but there is everywhere else too.  Beef on Weck is a must.

[RiotAct]

9 minutes ago, Bills!Win! said:

Get there 4 hours before the game. Park on one of the lawns across the street from Hammer Lot. There’s plenty to do and see around the stadium. I would suggest lining up at the gates 15 minutes before they open, you’ll be able to get in and see the players warm up. If you wait til 12 to get in you could miss part of the game. If you’re on the tunnel side you’ll get to see a lot of the Bills players. Diggs throws the ball around with fans.
 

My wife only ever liked the Yankees. She made fun of me for being a bills fan and liking football. She never understood why Western New York was obsessed with football and didn’t understand my fandemonium  I took her to the Tennessee game. We sat in the 2nd row, got on TV, saw Bruce and Thurman up close, caught a football from a titans player and the bills won. Now she’s a bigger fan than I am. 

that is awesome!  Were you in the tunnel

end zone by chance?

[Bills!Win!]

3 minutes ago, RiotAct said:

that is awesome!  Were you in the tunnel

end zone by chance?

Scoreboard side. Next time I got im going to sit tunnel side up close. I’m thinking either Miami game or one of the playoff games 

[shane nelson]

Came across this beauty a fews weeks back. Everything you need to know about attending a Bills game.       https://www.buffalorumblings.com/2021/9/4/22647817/rumblings-guide-to-mastering-your-first-buffalo-bills-home-game

 

My recommendation if you are going to UBER.  Leave early, very early and go home at least one to two hours after the game ends.  I love walking through the lots, talking with people, checking out the vendors on Abbott, the Bills store and of course the Hammer Lot.  Post game, head to the Hammer lot, people are there long after the game or go to Danny's South for a pop or two

 

Weather, it Buffalo and its Nov.  Be prepared, the biggest killer in Nov is rain and wind.  Based on where you are seating, the upper deck and end zone seats are metal and can be bone chilling.....have fun and go Bills 

Edited October 26, 2022 by shane nelson

[RiotAct]

25 minutes ago, Bills!Win! said:

Scoreboard side. Next time I got im going to sit tunnel side up close. I’m thinking either Miami game or one of the playoff games 

Nice!  That’s where my wife and I were (Section 102 Row 1).  Awesome seats for feeling like you’re “in the action”.  Not so good for determining how much a play went for, though, especially on the other side of midfield 😜

[Mafioso]

Make sure to get bbq sauce on your wings and ask for a side of ranch.

[Big Turk]

35 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

Hambone, have a great time.  I’m sure you’ll check the weather that day.  I’ve heard Uber is a nightmare so consider a rental.  If alcohol is a must then Uber just or be safe, but hang at the big tree for a couple hours so you can easily Uber.  You’ll be fine.

 

Get you’re MT and for me Blasdell Pizza.  There is great fine dining, but there is everywhere else too.  Beef on Weck is a must.

 

There is also a shuttle bus that leaves from UB South Station from what I have heard...maybe someone else could chime in about that?

[AlfaBill]

Don’t piss in the sinks. 

[Matt_In_NH]

Just now, AlfaBill said:

Don’t piss in the sinks. 

 

Definitely piss in the sinks!

[BillsDad51]

Right now, AccuWeather has a high of 40 with afternoon showers. I'm checking daily cause my son and I are coming from Chicago for the game. Hopefully the forecast will improve as Nov.13 gets closer.

 

[Gugny]

2 hours ago, Hambone said:

I am born and raised in Kentucky, but have been a diehard Bills fan since the Super Bowl years. Over the last several years, I have turned my son into a diehard fan as well. For my sons graduation and my birthday, my wife got us tickets to the Vikings game. It will be my first Bills home game and my sons first Bills game ever. I have a few questions about the gameday experience i was hoping someone would answer for me.

 

1. If I wanted to Uber to the game, where is a good location to have them drop us off at to avoid as much traffic as possible. Somewhere within a reasonable walking distance. I would say a mile or so from the stadium. We are staying in East Aurora.

 

2. Where is Hammer's Lot? The parking lot maps I see just show lot numbers. We want to check out the tailgating experience and heard that it is one place I should check out. Also, are there any other lots I should visit? 

 

3. Is there any thing special I need to know about entering the stadium? Do you still have to have proof of Covid vaccine, or was that just a thing last year? 

 

4. As far as dressing for the game, what is the weather typically like mid-November. Is it usually colder or warmer then the temperature suggests in the stadium?

 

That is all I can think of for now. If there is anything else you think I may need to know, please let me know.

 

Thanks and Go Bills!!!

 

I went to my first Bills game many years ago in late October.  

 

I was NOT prepared, as far as attire goes.  

 

If nothing else, make sure you've got some sort of rain gear or water-resistant outerwear.  And, as someone mentioned upstream, wear waterproof, insulated boots.  Once your feet are cold and/or wet, you're fuct.

 

Enjoy!!!

[MarlinTheMagician]

Have a great time!  It will be memorable.  You can park close pretty cheap ($30), it is Buffalo.  When they opened Joe Robbie in Miami years ago, I was standing behind Ralph Wilson waiting for tickets at Will Call.  His comment:  "Can you believe what they get for parking?  They would skin me alive in Buffalo if I tried that."  Great game, Bills won.

[RiotAct]

31 minutes ago, BillsDad51 said:

Right now, AccuWeather has a high of 40 with afternoon showers. I'm checking daily cause my son and I are coming from Chicago for the game. Hopefully the forecast will improve as Nov.13 gets closer.

 

that’s a total guess this far out.

[US Egg]

1 hour ago, shane nelson said:

the upper deck and end zone seats are metal and can be bone chilling

Excellent reminder. 
 

A butt comforting/warming blanket, carried loosely in, a plus on non rainy such days. 

[LabattBlue]

1 hour ago, BillsDad51 said:

Right now, AccuWeather has a high of 40 with afternoon showers. I'm checking daily cause my son and I are coming from Chicago for the game. Hopefully the forecast will improve as Nov.13 gets closer.

 

"Checking daily" for a forecast 3 weeks away?  They can't get a forecast right 3 days ahead, let alone 3 weeks.

Edited October 26, 2022 by LabattBlue

[Maine-iac]

Moved away from upstate NY when I was a kid in the early 90s but was already a Bill's fan.  Saw some games against the Jets when I lived near NY City when I worked for Ralph Lauren but went to my first game in Buffalo last year.  If you are staying in Buffalo paying the 50 bucks for a Rally bus is a great deal.  They pick you up down town and drive you to and from the game and have storage under the bus if you want to tailgate.  You can leave your stuff with the bus drink all game and they'll drive you back to the city afterwards.  I tried to dress warm enough for the game and my daughter talked me into buying a Bills blanket on the way in and I'm glad I did.  We'll see how warm that blanket keeps me when I bring it to Foxborough December 1st.

 

https://rally.co/buffalo-bills/

[Irv]

Bring extra clothes. Dress in layers. You can always take them off.  You can't put them on if you don't have them.  

 

Sincerely,

Dad

 

 

Edited October 26, 2022 by Irv

[BillsDad51]

True. But it takes me a grand total of 30 seconds to check. 

[Hambone]

So, I made it in to town yesterday and I am having a great time. I do have one question about parking. I was just reading that you need to have a parking pass to park in the lots by the stadium (Lot 4 for example). If I don't have one, can I just pay there at the lot in the morning?

[Since1981]

I’d just park at a dude’s lawn. 
For example guys on Webster Road have porta potties and tailgates. Easy walk. Drive to Abbott + Webster road give the owner $10. The houses all north of the stadium park in their grass. *our weather just switched totally, a Kentuckian needs to think “winter skiing”

Edited November 13, 2022 by Since1981

[Since1981]

Is it petty common and reasonable to have a bunch of tickets on one phone? 

[Hambone]

Thanks. Based on where I am staying and looking at the parking map, I guess will try to find a place on 20a near lot 1.

[goober]

I can’t offer any useful advice re. parking, but am hoping you have decent luck with it, that you’re well prepared and that you, your wife and son have a great time at the game tomorrow!

[billsfanmiamioh]

35 minutes ago, Hambone said:

Thanks. Based on where I am staying and looking at the parking map, I guess will try to find a place on 20a near lot 1.

Where you are staying should dictate where you park. For instance, if staying in Hamburg I’d park at ECC (Erie community college south campus) for an easy exit.