BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The decision to allow fans for Buffalo Bills games is one that many are rejoicing. When the game starts, the Bills will be the 19th team to allow fans at some point during the NFL season.
The first team to allow fans, were the Kansas City Chiefs, whom many teams adopted their reopening policies after. The Chiefs have allowed as many 16,812 fans or 22% capacity and have remained socially distant by separating groups by three rows.
Many of the Bills protocols will be similar to those in Kansas City and other stadiums. Despite the Bills having 10% capacity being on the low end, the protocols below are standard for most stadiums.
- no tailgating
- required mask wearing
- tickets only being available in a maximum of four per group
- staggered entry
"We're going to have social distancing at the gates," Andy Major, VP of Operations for the Bills, said "have everyone spread out for different arrival times to their gates to avoid any congestion."
The big difference for the Bills comes in the mandatory negative COVID-19 tests. This is the first time it has been done for any professional football team in addition to the prevention of selling seats on a secondary market.
All protocols are subject to change if the bills make it to future playoff rounds. A full breakdown of the Bills' policies can be found here.
