2026 Training Camp Announced, Just SEVEN Practices Open To Public

[Goin Breakdown]

Never thought the last time I went to camp was going to be the last. So if I can't afford seasons I have no chance. 

[zow2]

The Bills continue to throw SJF and Rochester a bone by going there at all.  Most NFL clubs stay home and have training camp at their facilities. 

[Big Turk]

Isn't that short?  I thought they were at St. John Fisher a lot longer than that normally.

[Just Jack]

8 hours ago, teef said:

the training camp has become such an issue to get tickets to.  when you go, it's wall to wall bodies unless you're in a specific hospitality tent.  last year was the first year i haven't gone in a long time, and to be honest...i didn't miss it.

 

I've only gone because I could get in the hospitality tent, and get the swag for having club seats. This may be the first time in over 20 years I'm not going to bother getting tickets. 

[galept]

2 hours ago, Big Turk said:

Isn't that short?  I thought they were at St. John Fisher a lot longer than that normally.

 

It was 3-4 weeks pre- and post-Covid. Dropped to two weeks last year. Dropped further this year.

[Sierra Foothills]

4 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

Do you have any intel this could be the last year?

 

In October, the Bills extended their lease at St John Fisher for 3 more years... so they'll likely have some degree of training camp in Pittsford through the 2028 season.

 

I highly doubt they would vacate the lease outright. Maybe as others have suggested, they'll simply spend less time there by possibly breaking camp earlier?

 

Regardless, the number of open practices is a slightly different discussion.

 

[BillsPride12]

10 minutes ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

In October, the Bills extended their lease at St John Fisher for 3 more years... so they'll likely have some degree of training camp in Pittsford through the 2028 season.

 

I highly doubt they would vacate the lease outright. Maybe as others have suggested, they'll simply spend less time there by possibly breaking camp earlier?

 

Regardless, the number of open practices is a slightly different discussion.

 

I know that but as Corta has mentioned in this thread there is speculation the Bills want to back out of their lease before then

[WotAGuy]

4 hours ago, Einstein said:

I remember just driving up to the fence at fredonia and watching bruce and kelly and them. 

now we have this nonsense.

I hear ya. I can’t believe things aren’t the same as they were 35 years ago. 

[US Egg]

I’m surprised the old fashion training thing lasted as long as it has.

[Sierra Foothills]

3 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

I know that but as Corta has mentioned in this thread there is speculation the Bills want to back out of their lease before then

 

Without knowing the terms of the lease I guess it's possible... but it would be a really sore outcome for Pittsford and the Rochester area if that happened... there would be a lot of hurt feelings for sure.

 

FYI, last year the Bills held 10 open practices at St. John Fisher.

 

I still think it's more likely that they minimize their time there than vacate completely.

 

Also not discussed (I think) is whether this has Joe Brady's fingerprints on it... I'm thinking yes because McDermott loved having camp in Pittsford.

 

[Malazan]

3 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Without knowing the terms of the lease I guess it's possible... but it would be a really sore outcome for Pittsford and the Rochester area if that happened... there would be a lot of hurt feelings for sure.

 

FYI, last year the Bills held 10 open practices at St. John Fisher.

 

I still think it's more likely that they minimize their time there than vacate completely.

 

Also not discussed (I think) is whether this has Joe Brady's fingerprints on it... I'm thinking yes because McDermott loved having camp in Pittsford.

 

 

I think it's unrelated. Many players likely aren't huge fans of being away from home. The organization is likely looking at opportunities to have more events in the area of the new stadium. 

[GunnerBill]

5 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Without knowing the terms of the lease I guess it's possible... but it would be a really sore outcome for Pittsford and the Rochester area if that happened... there would be a lot of hurt feelings for sure.

 

FYI, last year the Bills held 10 open practices at St. John Fisher.

 

I still think it's more likely that they minimize their time there than vacate completely.

 

Also not discussed (I think) is whether this has Joe Brady's fingerprints on it... I'm thinking yes because McDermott loved having camp in Pittsford.

 

 

Think the new stadium is likely a factor this year too. Reasonable they may want to practice in the facility for than they normally do to get used to it.

[teef]

11 hours ago, Just Jack said:

 

I've only gone because I could get in the hospitality tent, and get the swag for having club seats. This may be the first time in over 20 years I'm not going to bother getting tickets. 

i think unless you have a specific hook up like this, it's just not worth it.   there's always an element of hard core fans that arrive early to get good seats, really study the practice, etc.  i have about 30 minutes of that max in me, and i start wandering around looking for the tent.

[corta765]

15 hours ago, galept said:

 

I didn't realize we went from 3+ weeks pre Covid down to 7-10 days. 

 

I saw online (and in this thread) that some of the reasons are the new facilities far exceed the usefulness of what can be temporarily set up at the college, and two-a-days are not allowed in the current CBA so there's less incentive to get away to stay focused if your days are significantly shorter.

 

So, I get it. You can still make the argument of team chemistry building, but that's maybe one of the weaker arguments due to not being able to have easily quantifiable metrics.

 

Yep. Irony is the lack of two a days and limited practice have in turn hurt the quality of the game in terms of line play and player development which the union is finally seeing but you'll probably never get back.

15 hours ago, Low Positive said:

They have a lot to install with a new coaching staff. I can understand why they would need more focused practices behind closed doors, but this does suck for the fans. 

 

Brady is also part of a younger coaching generation where every advantage and thing is looked at and the idea of camp/team building through training camp is more an older coaching generations thing. Doesn't mean Brady isn't into team building by any means, but it use to be a very common thing that has now dwindled over the years.

[corta765]

8 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Without knowing the terms of the lease I guess it's possible... but it would be a really sore outcome for Pittsford and the Rochester area if that happened... there would be a lot of hurt feelings for sure.

It is 100% possible and very likely. The contract isn't something that an NFL team couldn't payoff in two seconds.

 

I use to think that the Rochester market mattered more in the teams eyes, but realistically the team has successfully regionalized where they no longer need to reach out as much as they did in 2000 when the entire effort started. With the golden horseshoe in Ontario that if anything is their next target to expand if any. And honestly as much of a bummer as it would be for Rochester, people would get over it. I live in Rochester and I have more been thankful we have had it this long and the access it gives. More then the team frankly it would be the amount of small to mid size events at local establishments that would really feel the hurt. Sal & Matt Bove did a live show at Bar Bill here last summer and it was packed to the brim, super cool event. It creates a really cool buzz outside of camp that would go away. That would to me be the bigger loss then camp itself frankly.

[JP51]

23 hours ago, corta765 said:

I am lucky because I have access through my employer that we have our own area so it is awesome.. BUT if I didn't I would find it frustrating. The downs of being good is everyone wants you and it is a full on zoo 24/7 to the point kids are tossed to the side by adults who have no brains just selfishness.

That sounds like a nice perk!  And yes, I hate seeing idiot adults reliving their 8 year old years pushing kids away...  people should start bleeping you tubing that stuff like they do idiots stealing pucks and baseballs away from kids... like Cmon man... 

[BillsSbSoon]

21 hours ago, BillsPride12 said:

That's what it is sounding like. Every year they are having less and less practices at Fisher. Feels like it is being phased out 

Seems that way and that sucks. There’s something to be said for a team going away for camp. Josh really likes it too. Shorter drive from Syracuse for me made it seem more special too. The past few years have been almost impossible to go to now though 

Edited June 17 by BillsSbSoon

[corta765]

48 minutes ago, JP51 said:

That sounds like a nice perk!  And yes, I hate seeing idiot adults reliving their 8 year old years pushing kids away...  people should start bleeping you tubing that stuff like they do idiots stealing pucks and baseballs away from kids... like Cmon man... 

Never forget in 2015 first year with Rex Aaron Williams threw cleats into the crowd and it was a war of biblical proportions for them. The kids never stood a chance.

[Mr. WEO]

19 hours ago, corta765 said:

I have a few connections to Fisher and I can confirm even though a contract is in place the expectation is it will be phased out and possibly ended early. Now whether they come here for even a weekend type thing the way some teams do is a whole different story. But I am expecting the days of Fisher being their camp spot to end soon unfortunately.

 

This is the 1st camp under the new contract extension, which is for only 3 years anyway.  Why would they try to get out of such a short contract they just recently signed?

[GunnerBill]

Just now, Mr. WEO said:

 

This is the 1st camp under the new contract extension, which is for only 3 years anyway.  Why would they try to get out of such a short contract they just recently signed?

 

Unless the change of Head Coach is a factor? Like if Brady is really against going away I could see that influencing it, otherwise I agree.