Bills, Sabres to allow full capacity, fans must be vaccinated

Buffalo Bills fans celebrate Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Bills, Sabres to allow full capacity in fall, though fans must be vaccinated

By Blake Harper | Last updated 4/13/21

The Buffalo Bills and Sabres plan to have full attendance at home games in the fall, though you will only be able to attend if you can provide proof that you have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

"Our goal is to have a 100 percent full house for the Bills and the Sabres, starting in the fall," Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced via video conference.

Poloncarz said that while individuals can make their own choice about getting vaccinated, to ensure that as many fans as possible can attend safely, vaccination will be required. This will make it so mass testing is not required for fans, which will make the entire game-day experience feel more normal and enjoyable.

On Twitter, he said that fans can apply for an Excelsior Pass, which will show that they have been fully vaccinated and is already being used by the New York state health department.

You can apply now to receive your "Excelsior Pass."
There is a app you can download right on your cell phone. This app will show your shot records, and that you have been full vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/0yhrvbVFT2
— Mark Poloncarz (@markpoloncarz) April 13, 2021

The Bills did not have any fans in attendance during the regular season, though Gov. Andrew Cuomo did allow 6,700 fans to attend the team's first home playoff game since 1996. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Stadium, which was officially renamed from Bills Stadium in March, has a capacity of 71,870.

The Sabres have begun allowing fans to attend home games at KeyBank Center on a limited basis, with fans needing to provide proof of vaccination or a negative test taken within 72 hours of the game.

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