KeyBank Center - Buffalo Sabres
- Dave Cottenie
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Photos by Dave Cottenie, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.86
KeyBank Center One Seymour H Knox III Plaza Buffalo, NY 14203
Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 19,070
Welcome to the Sabrehood
One of the longest-running futility streaks in professional sports belongs to the Buffalo Sabres. As of this writing, they are currently tied with the New York Jets for most consecutive seasons missing the playoffs. However, this was not always the case.
The Sabres were established in 1970 as an expansion team along with the Vancouver Canucks. The famed French Connection line of Richard Martin, Rene Robert, and Gilbert Perrault almost immediately brought success to Buffalo, and they were a bit of a plucky and scrappy team early on.
Over time, the Sabres would reach the Stanley Cup Final on two occasions, falling to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975 and the Dallas Stars in 1990. They would also earn the President's Trophy in 2007. Founded by Seymour and Northrup Knox, the Sabres would end up in bankruptcy and eventually end up under the control of the current owner and Buffalo sports magnate, Terry Pegula.
The Sabres began their tenure in the venerable Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. In 1996, they moved just up the street to the brand-new Marine Midland Arena, which would change names over time as a result of numerous bank mergers and settle in as KeyBank Center in 2016. Sabres owner Seymour Knox passed away just one month after the final game at the Auditorium. KeyBank Center is a solid NHL facility, and a trip to the Sabrehood is worthwhile.
Food & Beverage 4
Buffalo definitely has a cuisine that is unique, and much of that is reflected at KeyBank Center. On both the lower and upper concourses, there are a number of different options for food and drink. A full accounting of the concession options at KeyBank Center is found on the arena website.
Some options include: Sahlen’s (hot dogs), Walking Taco, Greek Out, Tim Hortons, Soultowns BBQ, Perry’s Ice Cream, Center Ice Cantina (bowls), Let’s Dough (fried dough and floats), and La Nova (pizza). Trying the uniquely Buffalo “Beef on Weck” may be the best choice. There are also a number of different bars that are available.
The Labatt Blue Zone is the largest and overlooks the atrium. In the concourse, finding a “Beer Sabre”, a huge, long, sword-shaped beer container, may help fit in with the locals. Otherwise, getting a beer from local legend “Conehead,” who is found in the main concourse, may be the best plan.
Atmosphere 3
Opened in 1996, KeyBank Center is probably due for a bit of a renovation, it is still a solid NHL venue. The exterior is a bit curious with a rounded, white roof, making it look like a UFO from the highway. The north side of the arena is where the atrium is found, which is mainly glass with brick. The northeast corner of the block is Alumni Plaza, a good meeting spot if the weather cooperates.
A large mural featuring a number of Sabre greats is found on the bridge that joins the KeyBank Center with the neighboring parking garage. Beneath the mural is an excellent bronze statue immortalizing the French Connection line of Rene Robert, Rick Martin, and Gilbert Perrault. North of the neighboring LECOM HarborCenter is a bronze statue of Tim Horton.
The main entry to KeyBank Center is through the atrium, where the ticket windows are still found on the east end, unless fans are taking the convenient bridge from the parking garage. The atrium has ceilings that are a couple of stories high and gives the building a grand entrance feel with banners and a view of the Labatt Blue Zone bar.
The Sabres Store is found at the west end of the atrium and is worth a visit before passing by the ticket takers. After scanning tickets, fans will ascend the escalator to the main concourse, which is dotted with many posters featuring Sabres of the past. Inside the seating bowl, the ice is basically north-south oriented, in which the best spot for a centre ice logo picture is from the west. Banners memorializing the accomplishments of the Sabres are found at the southeast corner, which include Division banners and Conference
Championship banners from 1975, 1980, and 1999, as well as the 2007 Presidents' Trophy. The retired numbers of Danny Gare, Tim Horton, Pat LaFontaine, Dominik Hasek, Ryan Miller, and the French Connection hang in the northeast corner, along with a banner honoring broadcaster Rick Jeanneret.
In the northwest corner, there are banners honoring owners Northrup and Seymour Knox, and on the west side, the media box is named after former broadcaster Ted Darling. Unfortunately, the Sabres feel the need to hang banners on the west side that honor various sponsors, which seems a bit tacky. A new four-sided videoboard that is just the right size and not overpowering hangs above center ice.
The gameday production at a Sabres game is solid. A pair of crossed sabres descends from the ceiling on the east side and is part of the pregame entrances. In the northwest corner is where the organ is found, and the organist is basically out in the crowd. For the game that was reviewed, a live band also played in this corner. The mascot, Sabretooth, takes part in the promotions and interacts with the in-game host. A local celebrity signals the start of the game by banging a large drum and leading a “Let’s Go Buff-A-Lo” chant. Overall, it is plenty of fun for fans.
Neighborhood 5
KeyBank Center is located in Downtown Buffalo. There is no shortage of places within walking distance of the arena for pre and post-game food and drink. The Draft Room, The Brick, Cobble Stone, Southern Tier Brewery, Pearl Street Grill, Buffalo Ironworks and Washington Square are just a few. The Sabres share KeyBank Center with the Buffalo Bandits of the NLL.
Just across the road from KeyBank Center is LECOM HarborCenter, which is the home of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres and Canisius Golden Griffins. Other sporting options in the city include Canisius basketball, the Buffalo Bisons, Buffalo Bulls football and basketball and, of course, the Buffalo Bills. Other tourist options fans should consider include Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino, Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum and Buffalo Naval Park. For fans wishing to stay in the area, Buffalo Marriott and Courtyard Marriott Buffalo are just steps from KeyBank Center
Fans 4
In general, Buffalo Sabres fans are loyal and supportive. However, the attendance over the last couple of years has taken a dip as the Sabres are in the midst of a horrible playoff drought. At the time of writing, the Sabres were averaging 16,700 fans per game, ranking them 24th of the 32 NHL teams. For the 2024-25 season the Sabres averaged under 16,000 fans and ranked 27th. However, the game that was reviewed was a full 19,070 sellout and the Sabres are showing a bit of life and are making a run towards a playoff spot. Fans in attendance are pretty loud and the chant of “Let’s Go Buff-A-Lo” can be heard often.
Access 4
The KeyBank Center is located in Downtown Buffalo, on the northeast corner of Main and South Park Ave, bordered by Perry Street and Illinois Ave. It is immediately south of I-190 which provides easy access from the highway. There are a number of surface lots within steps of the arena as well as a few parking garages. Prepurchasing parking is still a good idea for people not familiar with the area, however, it is not critical.
For those fans wishing to take public transit to the game, there are bus stops on Scott Street and Michigan Ave. Light rail is just northwest of KeyBank Center. Fans should consult the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority website for maps, schedules and fares.
Inside the KeyBank Center, concourses are on the narrow side in spots and getting around, especially at the conclusion of a game, can be a slow process. The washrooms are good for the facility. Fans should be wary of some of the seating at the ends in the lower bowl which lack any sort of leg room. Seats are also narrow in general.
Return on Investment 4
According to the 2025 NHL Fan Cost Index, the Sabres were the cheapest NHL experience at $457, far below the league average of $761. Sabres tickets begin at $37 and go up to $200. Lower bowl end seats can be had for under $100. Parking can be found for $25 or under and concession prices are what one would expect for an NHL game. The Sabres do a good job providing a fun atmosphere and fans will definitely enjoy their time in KeyBank Center.
Extras 3
An extra mark for the Sabres embracing their Canadian neighbors to the north. The Canadian National Anthem is played at all Sabres games regardless of who the opponent is.
An extra mark for the signature Sabres song, “Sabre Dance” which is not original to the team but is recognizable and peppered throughout the gameday production.
An extra mark for Buffalo icon “Conehead.” Tom Girot has been selling beer at Buffalo venues since 1972 and is immediately recognizable with his Conehead head gear, akin to the classic SNL skit. When purchasing a beer from Conehead, make sure to listen for the “Conehead Guarantee.”
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the futility the Buffalo Sabres have shown in the past, taking in a Sabres game is a great experience and KeyBank Center is a solid NHL facility. There is a glimmer of hope in the Sabrehood and a return to playoff hockey in Buffalo is hopefully not too far away.
Buffalo is a great city to visit and watching the Sabres is a big part of that.