KeyBank Center
KeyBank Center is a hockey rink in Buffalo, New York, home of the Buffalo Sabres (NHL, Atlantic Division). It opened in 1996, making it 30 years old in 2026 and seats 19,070 for hockey. That makes it the 9th-largest rink in NHL.
Rink facts
- Location
- Buffalo, New York
- Home of
- Buffalo Sabres
- League
- NHL · Atlantic Division
- Opened
- 1996
- Capacity
- 19,070
- Former names
- Crossroads Arena (construction)
Marine Midland Arena (1996–2000)
HSBC Arena (2000–2011)
First Niagara Center (2011–2016) - Also home to
- Buffalo Bandits (NLL)
- Size rank in NHL
- 9th of 32
Famous moments at KeyBank Center
- 1999 Stanley Cup Final Games 3, 4 and 6 (1999)
- 2016 NHL Entry Draft (2016)
- UFC 210 (2017)
- Sabres play their first regular-season home game here (1996)
- NHL Entry Draft, the first of three held here (1998)
- NCAA Frozen Four (2003)
- IIHF World Junior Championship (2011)
Game night
Getting there. DL&W station (NFTA Metro Rail)
Seating & views at KeyBank Center
Hockey capacity is 19,070. Seats are arranged in 100, 200 and 300 levels, and an extra row was added to the 200 level in 2012. The arena has 80 luxury suites.
Parking & tailgating
Parking is offered in the KeyBank Center ramp, the arena's surface lots and LECOM Harborcenter, which links to the arena by an elevated walkway. All lots are cashless. The DL&W Metro Rail station opened next to the arena in December 2025.
Tops Markets Alumni Plaza, created in 2012, has plaques honoring Sabres players and a 10-foot bronze statue of The French Connection line.
Sources: Wikipedia, nhl.com, nhl.com
Plan your trip to KeyBank Center
Rinks near KeyBank Center10
- 1NCAALECOM Harborcenter — Canisius Golden Griffins same city
- 2Junior AGale Centre — Niagara Falls Canucks 20 mi
- 3NCAADwyer Arena — Niagara Purple Eagles 23 mi
- 4U SportsCanada Games Park — Brock Badgers 25 mi
- 5CHLMeridian Centre — Niagara IceDogs 28 mi
- 6AHLTD Coliseum — Hamilton Hammers 56 mi
- 7Junior ASixteen Mile Sports Complex — Oakville Blades 58 mi
- 8Junior ACentral Arena — Burlington Cougars 58 mi
- 9NHLScotiabank Arena — Toronto Maple Leafs 62 mi
- 10AHLCoca-Cola Coliseum — Toronto Marlies 62 mi
Questions about KeyBank Center
Where do the Buffalo Sabres play home games?
The Buffalo Sabres play at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York.
How many people does KeyBank Center hold?
KeyBank Center seats 19,070 for hockey.
When did KeyBank Center open?
KeyBank Center opened in 1996.
What other rinks are near KeyBank Center?
LECOM Harborcenter is also in Buffalo. See the full list of nearby rinks on this page.
Where do you park at KeyBank Center?
Parking is offered in the KeyBank Center ramp, the arena's surface lots and LECOM Harborcenter, which links to the arena by an elevated walkway. All lots are cashless. The DL&W Metro Rail station opened next to the arena in December 2025.
What is the seating like at KeyBank Center?
Hockey capacity is 19,070. Seats are arranged in 100, 200 and 300 levels, and an extra row was added to the 200 level in 2012. The arena has 80 luxury suites.
Facts are for the 2026–27 season. Distances are straight-line miles between city centers. Capacity figures vary by source. See something wrong? Let us know. Is this your rink? Get the “Listed on RinkGuide.com” badge for your website.