Bills fans fume over $2.2 billion stadium during first preseason game: ‘Extremely weird’
Highmark Stadium’s design is getting bottom-tier reviews from Bills Mafia.
During the Bills’ preseason opener against the Panthers on Sep. 15, Bills fans were again expressing their displeasure over the new Highmark Stadium’s layout, which includes these massive railings and glass barriers that fans have been saying is a view obstruction since they first entered on Aug. 8.
“How can that possibly be something that would be in our face during the game?” one Bills fan told local Rochester news WROC TV reporter Caleb Carr while attending the team’s 29-14 preseason victory over the Panthers. “Here we are, and I’m watching through the glass like I’m at the neighbor’s house.”
Some season ticket holders were outraged when they first saw their seats at the $2.2 billion stadium, including one who was assured there would be no view obstruction before she came to see the action, but her view was far from perfect.
Another fan agreed with season ticket holders’ gripes and added that the glass is see-through and clean for now, but between glare and worsening weather later in the season, that can easily change.
“It wouldn’t be so bad; seeing through the plexiglass – the problem is the reflection of the rows on the plexiglass,” the fan said. “You can see that, and it’s very hard to see through that for the rest of the game.”
“It’s glass. It’s see-through, but there is a glare from the reflection, and it is showing. So you kind of have to bobble your head a little,” another fan admitted. “ I could see it being an issue if its snowing and the snow hits the glass.”
Still, the Bills claimed that after last week’s practice, which served as the opening for Highmark Stadium, less than one percent of fans have reached out to the team about the spectating issues.
“Saturday’s practice was a great opportunity to test the new stadium. We are currently addressing internal and external feedback regarding the facility’s operation following the first event,” a Bills spokesperson told The Post last week as frustration raged on. “We’ll utilize the next six weeks to refine any details as we prepare for the home opener on Thursday, September 17.”
The architect of the new stadium, Populous, downplayed the issue adding that it exists everywhere.
“You will find some level of obstruction in every stadium in the world,” Jonathan Mallie, global director and managing director of Populous’ Americas practice, told the Buffalo News.
“The goal was to bring everybody closer to the field and create an upper deck with an incredible proximity and presence within the bowl to help create a next-level experience for Bills Mafia,” Mallie said.
On top of yearly season ticket costs, fans were outraged by obstructed views, in part because of highly expensive Personal Seat License (PSL) fees that add a high additional cost for fans, starting near four figures and going into five figures for better seats.