Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - A near record level demand for hotel rooms in Downtown Buffalo - and across Erie County - has some hotel rooms going for a record $1,000-plus per-night for Wednesday and Thursday.
The reason?
The Buffalo Bills' home opener and regular season debut of the $2.2 billion Highmark Stadium, coupled with Thursday's game against the Detroit Lions being broadcast nationally.
"It's a matter of supply and demand," said Patrick Kaler, Visit Buffalo president and CEO.
Downtown has approximately 1,500 hotel rooms, while Erie County has more than 10,000 hotel rooms.
The Bills-Lions game has attracted football fans from Michigan and other midwestern states, because of the draw of both teams.
Adding to the demand are music fans coming to the region for Thursday's Roger Daltrey (from The Who) concert at Artpark.
While other high profile events hosted by Buffalo like this summer's NHL Draft or this spring's NCAA Men's Basketball playoff series created demand for downtown hotel rooms, interest in Thursday's game is even higher.
"There has been a lot of interest," Kaler said. "It began when it was first announced."
Kaler said many fans are coming in Wednesday and many are staying over until Friday or Saturday.
"I'd love if they stayed four days, but we will take this," Kaler said.
The Bills' home opener is driving a big demand for rooms downtown and across the region
The Bills' home opener is driving a big demand for rooms downtown and across the region
