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This is a guide to the Buffalo Bills home stadium (Highmark Stadium). Going to a NFL game can be fun, but it is also a unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. There are certain policies and procedures you will want to be aware of beforehand, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Buffalo Bills tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).
In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a Bills Game
- Buffalo Bills Ticket Information
- Highmark Stadium Gate Information
- Best Place to Park at Highmark Stadium
- Does Highmark Stadium Take Cash?
- How Long are Buffalo Bills Games?
- Where is the Bills Team Store?
What to Bring to a Buffalo Bills Game?
If you are going to a Buffalo Bills game, planning ahead is always important. Below is a list of things you might need to bring, and you will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – NFL stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)
- Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of Buffalo Bills parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
- Weather and Sun Protection – Highmark Stadium is an open-air stadium, which means you will need to be prepared to face the elements when you go to a Buffalo Bills game.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is a good idea.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
Can You Bring a Bag Into Highmark Stadium?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, NFL stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. There are strict regulations regarding the types of bags allowed inside a stadium. The NFL recommends fans to use clear stadium bags like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Highmark Stadium information guide.
Can You Bring a Blanket Into Highmark Stadium?
Yes, you can bring a blanket into Buffalo Bills games at Highmark Stadium (source). However, most stadiums ask that you make sure items such as a blanket are used in a manner that do not bother those sitting in seats next to you.
Buffalo Bills Ticket Information
Buying Bills Tickets
Yes, you can buy Bills tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, because NFL game usually sellout, it is very difficult to buy tickets at the stadium on gameday. Buying in advance is almost always necessary.
You can buy your tickets directly from the team’s website, but once the game is sold-out, you will need to use the secondary ticket market, where you can buy Bills tickets that are being re-sold. For these types of tickets, I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase.
- Click here to view Bills tickets available at Vivid Seats (affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
If you wish to speak to the ticket office in person, the Bills Ticket Office on gamedays is located adjacent to gate three on Abbot Road on the west side of the stadium (view). As you can see, it is a small building in between gates three and four.
To read more, visit our article about purchasing Bills tickets at the stadium.
Highmark Stadium Gate Information
Highmark Stadium gates open two hours prior to kickoff for Buffalo Bills games (source). Gates 2-7 are used for general admission, but some of these gates will also have VIP entry lanes. To read more about which entry gates might be best for you, visit our Highmark Stadium Gate Guide.
Best Place to Park at Highmark Stadium for Bills Games
The Highmark Stadium Public Lots are used for general parking, so these are the parking lots that most fans will use. Below is a list of the main Highmark Stadium Public Lots:
- Highmark Stadium Lot 1
- Highmark Stadium Lot 3
- Highmark Stadium Lot 4
- Highmark Stadium Lot 5
- Highmark Stadium Lot 7
Highmark Stadium Lot 3 is a bit different than the others because it requires a permit that must be purchased in advance, and is used as a parking lot for oversized vehicles, and is home to the popular tailgate village. Let’s take a closer look at these Highmark Stadium Public Lots so you know details and locations.
- Buy Prepaid Parking if Possible – Buying a parking permit in advance can help you avoid the hassle of buying at the stadium, and allows you to reserve a spot in a parking lot that makes the most sense for you. It’s also worth noting that certain lots require pre-purchased permits.
- If you are coming from the North – If you are driving in from the north, the best Highmark Stadium Public Lots for you will be Highmark Stadium Lot 4, Highmark Stadium Lot 5, and Highmark Stadium Lot 7.
- If you are coming from the South – If you are driving in from the south, the best Highmark Stadium Public Lots for you will be Highmark Stadium Lot 1 and Highmark Stadium Lot 4.
It is important to note that there is much more general parking located on the north/northwest side of the stadium than the south side of the stadium. If possible, coming in from the north might be the best option if you plan to use Highmark Stadium Public Lots.
To read more about lots and options, visit our Buffalo Bills Parking Guide.
How Long Do Buffalo Bills Games Last?
You can expect a Buffalo Bills game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to 3.5 hours (or longer) depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average length of a Buffalo Bills game was 3 hours and 11 minutes.
In 2021, the longest Buffalo Bills game lasted 4 hours and 14 minutes, and the shortest Buffalo Bills game lasted 2 hours and 49 minutes. The main takeaway is most Buffalo Bills games last slightly over 3 hours, but there are exceptions both ways.
To read more, visit our article about the length of football games.
SOURCE: Pro Football Reference Gamelogs
Where is the Bills Team Store?
There are several retail shops located around Highmark Stadium, but the main Bills Team Store is located on the west side of the stadium just off of Abbott Road (near gates 4 and 5)
If you are shopping for Bills fan gear, you can also do that online. This is where you can view Bills gear available at NFLShop.com (paid affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). If you want to read more about the different types of Bills fan jerseys, visit our Bills jersey guide.
Does Highmark Stadium Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Highmark Stadium does not accept cash inside the stadium. Guests can pay for items using valid debit or credit cards, or mobile wallets including Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay (source).
Highmark Stadium Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Highmark Stadium, the Buffalo Bills, the NFL, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Buffalo Bills staff. Contact information is below:
- Buffalo Bills – View Contact Information
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view Buffalo Bills tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).