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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Seeing the Buffalo Bills in person just got more expensive than watching any other team in the NFL, according to a new study from the Action Network.
The digital sports outlet analyzed more than 500,000 tickets across all 32 NFL teams, factoring in stadium food, drinks and parking, to determine the average cost for a family of four to attend a game. Highmark Stadium topped the list at $2,193.95, the highest total in the league.
It’s the fourth year the Action Network has run the study, and spokesperson Kathy Morris said the Bills’ new stadium is the clear driver behind the jump.
“The new stadium, I think is definitely what has propelled Highmark to the top,” Morris said. “It’s something we see across all sports teams, where we see a team move up and it’s an interesting jump, why? And we look and it’s the new stadium driving that.”
Morse said tickets, sourced through Ticketmaster, make up the largest share of the cost, though concessions aren’t cheap either.
“They also do have some pretty expensive hot dogs,” Morris said with a chuckle, “so maybe eat beforehand.”
With fewer season tickets available on the open market, she said many fans are being pushed toward resale prices.
“The firsthand market is almost evaporated for a lot of tickets,” Morse said. “If you want to go see your team, you really do have to pay those additional secondhand prices.”
Buffalo isn’t the only team feeling the effects of a new venue. The Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers, both playing in newer stadiums, also rank among the league’s top 10 most expensive. Morris said some fans are already looking for cheaper alternatives, including traveling to see the Bills play the Jets in New York.
“It’s still quite a drive for Bills fans, obviously,” she said, “but it’s almost half the price.”
Morris said whether prices keep climbing will likely depend on how the Bills perform this season, along with fan demand.
“I think it’s going to depend a little bit on performance,” Morris said. “The demand is definitely there, the team is performing, their fans are going to show up, and they seem to be willing to pay almost endlessly.”