The Buffalo Bills have announced their 2026 training camp schedule, returning to St. John Fisher University for a seventh straight year with seven open practices beginning July 29, down from 11 in 2025. The team also confirmed ticket details, including a public lottery for general admission and an exclusive presale for season ticket holders.
Why the Bills are cutting practices—and what it means for Rochester
The 2026 camp marks the 25th year the Bills have held training camp at St. John Fisher, a tradition dating back to 2000—except for the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The reduction from 11 to seven practices reflects a broader NFL trend of shorter preseason preparations, but general manager Brandon Beane emphasized the value of the Rochester location in a statement to the Democrat and Chronicle.
“We really enjoy the setup there. We think it’s important to our team,” Beane said. “Even though it’s a dying breed of teams that like to go away, and we love our facilities here, we feel it provides such an important element of team chemistry, bonding, a real focus for everyone for how to prepare our team for a long season.”
The shorter schedule doesn’t diminish the cultural significance of the camp. Bills Executive Vice President Pete Guelli called the partnership with St. John Fisher “one of the longest-running off-site training camp traditions in the NFL” when announcing a three-year extension in October 2025. “St. John Fisher University has been an amazing host to our organization,” Guelli said. “Rochester will always be an important part of Bills Mafia.”
Ticket demand and how to get in
With limited capacity at St. John Fisher, the Bills will again rely on a public lottery for general admission tickets. Fans can enter the lottery—open June 24–26—through Ticketmaster, with winners notified by email. Season ticket holders get first access to an exclusive presale on June 24 at 10 a.m., limited to six tickets per account. The lottery closes June 26, and winners must accept their tickets within 72 hours.
Demand remains high despite the reduced practice count. The Bills’ 2025 camp drew record attendance, and the team expects similar interest this year. “No news is good news” in the NFL offseason, as Buffalo Rumblings noted, but the return to Rochester is a bright spot for fans eager to see their team in action.
What’s next: Camp scuffles, preseason, and the new stadium
The Bills’ 2026 camp will feature seven open practices from July 29 to August 7, all at 8:30 a.m. local time. The team has not yet announced details for the annual “Return of the Blue & Red” practice, which in 2025 moved to Highmark Stadium—the team’s new home in Orchard Park. This year, the event is tentatively scheduled for August 8, according to the Bills’ official announcement.
Beyond camp, the Bills face key questions about their defense. Safety Cole Bishop and linebacker Dorian Williams missed mandatory minicamp due to injuries, raising concerns about their readiness for the season. Bishop underwent an offseason procedure for a knee issue, while Williams’ injury remains unspecified. Their absence has opened the door for rookie Kaleb Elarms-Orr to compete for a starting role, as Sports Illustrated reported, potentially forcing veteran Matt Milano or Shaq Thompson off the free-agent market.
Why Rochester matters—and what’s at stake
The Bills’ commitment to Rochester extends beyond football. The team’s partnership with St. John Fisher has fostered community engagement, from fan events to local outreach. Bills Mafia—a grassroots fan group—has grown alongside the tradition, with Guelli noting that “Rochester will always be an important part of Bills Mafia.”
Yet the shorter camp schedule raises questions about the NFL’s evolving approach to preseason preparation. While some teams have abandoned off-site camps entirely, the Bills’ decision to stay in Rochester reflects their belief in the value of team bonding away from home. For fans, the camp remains a chance to see their team up close—especially as the preseason approaches, with the first game at Highmark Stadium expected to draw massive crowds.
With the Bills aiming for another Super Bowl run, the 2026 camp will be a critical test of their roster depth and defensive readiness. The reduction in practices may limit on-field drama, but the tradition—and the community—remain as strong as ever.
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