ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (WKBW) — Select Bills fans had the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets Thursday.
This comes just hours after New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Bills fans will be able to attend the home wild-card playoff game.
“Our slot was at 10 in the morning, so I was anxious all night,” said longtime club seat holder Nicold Erb.
Nicole and her husband Allen are part of the 6,772 Bills fans able to purchase wild-card tickets. The tickets are eligible to cub season ticket holders and regular season ticket holders based on seniority.
The Erb family business has had club season tickets for years.
For Bills fans, it’s not always just about a football game. It’s family, and tradition. It’s years of heartbreak and hope. @wkbw
— Hannah Buehler (@HannahBuehler) December 31, 2020
“We’re excited to have the chance to go,” Allen said.
The Erbs say their four club tickets came to about $1,200. That’s about $300 a piece. Ticket prices depend on where the seats are.
Kevin Buzzelli from Lancaster inherited his grandfather Frank’s season tickets that he has held since 1965. Frank Buzzelli served in World War II. For Kevin, it’s a family tradition.
“It’s a nice tradition to keep it in the family and keep it going,” he said. “He went to every single game, and never left early,” he said of his grandfather, who passed away about three years ago.
Kevin says at 35, he’s never seen a Bills playoff game in person.
He scored four tickets in section 109.
Other Bills season ticket holders are hopeful they’re next in line.
5 o'clock here. 1988
— Hungus (@DickPicnic086) December 31, 2020
I’m trying very hard. I don’t have any yet.
— LeShawn Jerman (@warloc6) December 31, 2020
Ahead of the game, fans who receive a ticket must get a COVID-19 test through Bio Reference Laboratories and pay for it themselves. Fans then must show a negative test result 72 hours ahead of the game.
These fans say it’s a small price to pay to watch the AFC East Champion Bills in person.
“We’re excited to have a chance to go to the game,” Erb said.
At this point the Bills are not releasing specifics on how many tickets were sold or how many are left, but a source at One Bills Drive says the response has been “overwhelmingly strong and positive.”
