The Buffalo Bills are a professional American football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the East Division of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills have a large and passionate fanbase, evidenced by their season ticket sales over the years.
Bills Season Ticket Sales History
The Bills have sold out every home game since the 2008 season. Here is a look at their season ticket sales history over the past decade:
| Year | Total Season Tickets |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 57,500 |
| 2015 | 57,500 |
| 2016 | 57,500 |
| 2017 | 57,500 |
| 2018 | 57,500 |
| 2019 | 57,500 |
| 2020 | 57,500 |
| 2021 | 57,500 |
| 2022 | 57,500 |
| 2023 | 60,000* |
*Projected season ticket sales for 2023
As the table shows, the Bills have consistently sold around 57,500 season tickets over the past decade, with the number holding steady in recent years. The season ticket base has remained very stable despite the team missing the playoffs from 2000-2016. The passion of Bills fans cannot be overstated.
For the 2023 season, the team projects selling 60,000 season tickets on the heels of making the playoffs 4 out of the past 5 seasons. The Bills Mafia fanbase continues to grow.
Breakdown of Bills Season Ticket Holders
In addition to how many total season tickets are sold, it is also interesting to break this down demographically. Here is a breakdown of Bills season ticket holders:
- 60% from Western New York
- 30% from Central/Eastern New York
- 7% from Southern Ontario, Canada
- 3% from other U.S. states or Canada
As expected, the vast majority (90%) are from New York State or the broader Great Lakes/Northeast region. However, their nationwide popularity is evidenced by fans traveling from California to Florida for home games.
In terms of the split between counties:
| County | Percentage of Season Ticket Holders |
|---|---|
| Erie County | 50% |
| Niagara County | 10% |
| Other WNY Counties | 5-7% each (Orchard Park, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton) |
| Ontario, Canada | 7% |
Erie County is unsurprisingly the top source, accounting for half of all season ticket holders. This includes the city of Buffalo and its suburbs. Niagara County is next, which includes Niagara Falls. The other counties of Western New York – Orchard Park, Rochester, Syracuse, Binghamton – account for 5-7% each. Southern Ontario provides a solid source of support as well.
Season Ticket Holder Loyalty
Bills season ticket holders are known as some of the most loyal in sports. Some fans have held them for over 50 years, passing them down through generations. The average tenure of a Bills season ticket holder is 20 years.
Even through the 17-year playoff drought from 2000-2016, 92% of season ticket holders renewed their tickets each year. This demonstrates their dedication through the team’s ups and downs.
The season ticket waiting list currently stands at over 120,000 people. Fans can expect to wait 10-15 years for the chance to purchase season tickets due to the immense demand.
Highlights and Milestones
Here are some key highlights and milestones from the history of Bills season ticket holders:
- 1990: 50,000 season tickets sold during Super Bowl era
- 1991-94: 57,550 season tickets sold each year during Bills’ 4-year Super Bowl run
- 2008-Present: Bills sell out every home game to season ticket holders
- 2016: Despite 17-year playoff drought, 57,500 renew season tickets
- 2020: Pandemic impacts attendance but season tickets remain near max
- 2023: Projected to hit 60,000 season tickets for the first time
The Bills have enjoyed strong season ticket sales throughout their history, even when the on-field product has struggled. Selling out New Era Field eight times per year is a point of pride for Bills Mafia.
Waiting List for Bills Season Tickets
The long waiting list for Bills season tickets is a testament to their popularity in Western New York:
- Waiting list started in 2009
- Has grown to over 120,000 names as of October 2022
- Estimated 10-15 year wait for new season tickets
- Option to pay annual fee to hold spot on waiting list
- All new season ticket holders come from the waiting list
The team has effectively sold out of season tickets for the foreseeable future. Fans who want to purchase them must put their name on the waiting list and exercise patience. Even when existing holders give up their tickets, demand is so high that no public sales take place.
This situation presents a stark contrast to the 1990s, when the Bills struggled to sell out home games and avoided local TV blackouts. The tide turned in the late 2000s, when sellouts became the norm. Bills Mafia has shown up in full force ever since.
Process to Get Off Waiting List
Here is the process for fans when their name reaches the top of the waiting list:
- Contacted by Bills ticket office when tickets become available
- Have 24-48 hours to place a deposit on the season tickets
- Must purchase a minimum of two seats
- Existing seat holders have first priority to relocate seats
- New holders pick from remaining available locations
The long wait pays off once fans finally have the chance to buy Bills season tickets. It’s a limited window to make the purchase, so they must act quickly to secure their spot.
Pricing and Seating Options
Bills season ticket prices vary based on seat location:
| Seating Zone | Average Price Per Seat |
|---|---|
| Lower Bowl Sideline | $2,100 |
| Lower Bowl End Zone | $1,600 |
| Upper Bowl Sideline | $850 |
| Upper Bowl End Zone | $650 |
The lowest cost season tickets are in the upper bowl end zones, while lower bowl sidelines command the highest prices. Many factors affect individual seat pricing within each zone.
There are also various seating options when selecting tickets:
- Individual seats
- Two seats together
- Four seats together
- Private luxury suites (additional cost)
Fans can choose everything from single seats to large groups. Luxury suites provide premium amenities but cost substantially more.
Benefits of Bills Season Tickets
Here are some benefits that come with Bills season tickets:
- Fixed pricing – Costs don’t increase annually
- Playoff ticket priority – Chance to buy playoffs before general public
- Season ticket member events
- 10% discount at Bills Store
- Flexible payment plans
- Ticket exchange program
The biggest perk for season ticket holders is the ability to purchase playoff tickets. This provides peace of mind after needing to wait so long for tickets. Other nice benefits include merchandise discounts and exclusive events.
Conclusion
Bills season tickets remain in high demand coming off their dominant AFC East victory in 2022. The waiting list stretches over a decade long for the chance to buy them. Bills Mafia consistently sells out New Era Field to support their beloved franchise.
It will be exciting to see if the team reaches their projection of 60,000 season tickets sold for 2023. This would represent a new high mark for the passionate fanbase. Expect tickets to remain near impossible to come by in Buffalo for the foreseeable future.
