Buffalo Sabres Arena

The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Founded in 1970, the Sabres quickly made a name for themselves with the help of the "French Connection" line of Gilbert Perreault, Rick Martin, and René Robert. This trio led the team to a division title in 1975 and a Stanley Cup finals appearance, where they lost to the Philadelphia Flyers.

In the 1990s, the Sabres became known for their star goaltender, Dominik Hašek, one of the best in NHL history. Under coach Lindy Ruff, the team reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1999 but lost to the Dallas Stars in a controversial final. Although the team has faced ups and downs, including a playoff drought since 2013, it has a dedicated fan base and a rich history.

What is the name of the Buffalo Sabres Arena?

The Buffalo Sabres play at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. This arena has been their home since 1996, replacing the older Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, where the team played from 1971 to 1996.

The arena has had different names over the years. It was first called Marine Midland Arena, then later renamed HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center, before becoming KeyBank Center in 2016. It can seat 19,070 fans and is the largest indoor arena in Western New York.

Buffalo Sabres Arena History/Buffalo Sabres Arena Construction and Cost

The Buffalo Sabres have played in two main arenas throughout their history. From 1971 to 1996, they called Buffalo Memorial Auditorium home. In 1996, they moved to a new arena called KeyBank Center. This arena has undergone several name changes, starting as Marine Midland Arena, then becoming HSBC Arena, and later First Niagara Center before getting its current name in 2016. It remains the largest indoor arena in Western New York, serving as the Sabres' home and hosting other major events.

The construction of the Buffalo Sabres' arena, originally known as Crossroads Arena, began in the mid-1990s and opened on September 21, 1996, replacing the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. The total cost of construction was $127.5 million, which would be around $248 million in 2023. The site was initially considered for a domed stadium for the Buffalo Bills in the 1960s, but that plan was abandoned.

Where is the KeyBank Center

KeyBank Center is located in Buffalo, New York, at 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, near the waterfront and downtown area. It is the primary home for the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL and hosts various events throughout the year.

Buffalo Sabres Arena Capacity

The KeyBank Center, home of the Buffalo Sabres, can seat 19,070 people for ice hockey games. It holds 18,500 for concerts, 19,200 for basketball games, and 16,597 for wrestling events. The arena is 700,000 square feet in size.

What is the parking cost at Buffalo Sabres Arena?

Parking at the KeyBank Center for Buffalo Sabres games and other events costs between $5 and $25. You can park in the KeyBank Center parking ramp, surface lots, or at the nearby LECOM Harborcenter. All parking is cashless and accepts major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Buffalo Sabres Arena Notable Events

The KeyBank Center has hosted many notable events since it opened. It held its first Buffalo Sabres regular season game on October 8, 1996. It has been the site of significant NHL events, including the 1998 and 2016 NHL Entry Drafts and games from the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. The arena also hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament in 2003 and 2019, along with the IIHF World Junior Championship from December 2010 to January 2011.

In addition to hockey, the venue has seen basketball events, including NCAA tournaments and preseason games for the Toronto Raptors. Professional wrestling events from WCW, WWE, and AEW have taken place there, including several pay-per-view events. The arena also hosted UFC 210 in 2017, marking the first UFC event in Buffalo in over 20 years.