The Bills will once again hold training camp in Pittsford, New York on the campus of St. John Fisher College. Training camp begins Saturday, July 30th and runs until Monday, August 22nd. Fans can take in up to 16 free practices and enjoy a great opportunity to interact with the Bills coaches and players.

This guide will give you everything you need to know in order to plan a trip to Bills training camp and what to expect when you arrive.

Dates & Times

Transportation & Parking

As has been the case for years, there is no parking available at St. John Fisher. Some of the locals that live across from the college turn their front yard into parking lots and charge up to $20. That is an option for those that do not want to wait in line and sit on a school bus. The alternative option is to park at one of four local schools:

For daytime practices, The Mendon High School and Barker Road Middle School lots will be the primary lots, with Calkins Road Middle School serving as overflow. For night practices, Mendon High School and Sutherland High School serve as the primary lots, with Barker Road Middle School serving as overflow. This is important to note, as shuttles will only depart from the primary and overflow lots.

Once you’re parked at one of these schools there will be a $1 round-trip shuttle to the facility. If you’re under 12 or over 62, the shuttle is free. The shuttles begin running an hour and 15 minutes before the practice is scheduled to start and run for an hour and 15 minutes after it is scheduled to end. Definitely plan on getting on the shuttle early to avoid any time waiting in line or traffic, and also to get there early to experience all training camp has to offer.

Tickets & Cost

All practices open to the public are free. Night practices, however, require a ticket that must be obtained ahead of time from several local sponsors. Click here for information on where to obtain tickets for each night practice. People have also been known to bring any extra tickets they may have and leave them with the ushers, so if you do not have a ticket, you might be able to luck out and still get in. The night practice tickets are free.

Grounds

Shuttles will drop off fans at the entrance to training camp. Once through the gates, you’ll proceed through the Merchandise Tent. Here there are samples and product information from a litany of vendors, as well as official Bills merchandise.

After you make your way through the Merchandise Tent, you’ll be by the concession stands and will have access to the rest of training camp. The St. John Fisher campus features three practice fields. The first one you will notice and the largest is the Growney Stadium field. This has permanent bleacher seating and standing-room only access. Across from Growney Stadium’s turf field is a full grass field. There is bleacher seating here too and Rex and other coaches have hosted a good portion of practices here. There is a second grass field behind the field house. To get there follow the only pathway open to you.

There are two other areas of note at training camp, the first is the Bills Experience. It is to the right of the first grass field when looking at it from the Growney Stadium bleachers. Here there are different (mainly) kid-friendly activities for fans to partake in. The other area of note is the Autograph Tent. This tent, located on the left side of Growney Stadium, is open to all children ages 14 and under. The tent is only open for 20 minutes after daytime practices.

Food & Drink

Semi-reasonable priced food and drink are available in the concession area outside the Merchandise Tent and to the right of the first grass practice field. All concession locations are cash only. For select practices there will also be food trucks on site. There is no alcohol for sale at practices and is prohibited on the grounds unless you are in a VIP section. Fans are allowed to bring in their own drinks, food, and small coolers.

Autographs

Training camp is the best place to score Bills autographs. The way to do this is to be at camp before practice and stay after. Get close to the locker room entrance (inside the field house, on the left as you look at Growney Stadium) and wait there. Players will generally stop and sign along that fence.

As mentioned before, the Autograph Tent is open to kids 14 years-old and under and will be open for 20 minutes after daytime practices.

Miscellaneous

Bring sun screen. There is not a lot of shade at available at Bills training camp and we can get some scorchers in late August here in Western New York.

Rain delays are possible. If the team has to move inside then the practice (and other areas of camp) will be closed to the public. You can call 1-877-BB-TICKS to get up to date weather information.

Be nice. The Bills players, coaches, and staff as well as media members will treat you how you treat them. Be nice and they’ll be nice in return. The same goes for your fellow fans. Everyone is there to enjoy themselves, watch the Bills, and maybe get an autograph or two.