Ticket prices slashed for Buffalo Bills' Toronto game

Chicago Bears' Chester Taylor celebrates a touchdown during second half NFL action against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre in Toronto Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. (Darren Calabrese / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Tickets for Buffalo's "home" game against Seattle in Toronto have been reduced from past Bills contests at Rogers Centre.

Buffalo will take on the Seahawks on Dec. 16, and tickets in every section have been cut up to 51 per cent, as both Rogers Media and the Bills look to increase awareness and atmosphere around a team that made an off-season splash in its attempt to get back to the AFC playoffs.

As a result of the new pricing structure, 58 per cent of tickets are less than $100, and 88 per cent of tickets are less than $150. Those who have already purchased tickets as part of the "Bills in Toronto Series" will have the option to receive a refund for the price difference or have their seats upgraded.

"The reduced price-point is fantastic value for a premium sporting event. These ticket prices are now more in line with the average NFL ticket price and are the right price-point in this market," Rogers Media senior vice-president Dale Hooper said. "After four seasons of the Bills in Toronto, we were able to establish some significant key learnings. We have adjusted our ticket prices every year, and have made good on a new price package, one that's right for today's environment."

The Bills finished 6-10 last season, but defeated Washington, 23-0, in Toronto in front of an announced crowd that was about 3,000 short of the stadium's 54,000-seat capacity.

"This is a significant step in the right direction to help us re-engage with our fans who attend our games at Rogers Centre," Bills executive vice-president Mary Owen said. "Last year's shutout victory over the Redskins featured our best gameday atmosphere to date at Rogers Centre. Our goal is to build on last year's momentum and provide an exciting Bills gameday experience."

The win over Washington was Buffalo's first in four trips north since the cross-border annual series was established.