Keybank Center (Buffalo, New York)

The KeyBank Center, formerly known as the Marine Midland Arena, the HSBC Arena and the First Niagara Center, is a multi-purpose covered arena situated in downtown Buffalo, New York. It is the largest indoor arena in western New York, accommodating 19,070 fans in its usual configuration. It was built primarily for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL), which has called the arena home since 1996, when it replaced the already demolished Memorial Auditorium. The arena was renamed KeyBank Center, starting with the 2016–2017 NHL season. It is owned by Erie County and is operated by Pegula Sports and Entertainment (as Hockey Western New York, LLC).

General information

Official website: https://www.keybankcenter.com/ 

Arena capacity: 19,070 spectators

Address: 1 Seymour H Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, New York 14203, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 42 ° 52′30 ″ n. 78 ° 52′35 ″ w. 

Year of construction: 1994-1996 

Cost of construction: 204 million dollars

Field: 700,000 square feet (65,000 m2) 

Seating plan: KeyBank Center

In addition to some of the best viewing angles at the KeyBank Center, fans at level 200 in the game Sabers will have access to an exclusive lounge with high-quality concessions and a sports bar with televisions and tables that go on the ice. Additional amenities for club-level ticket holders include on-site food and beverage service.

Facilities are available for home games Sabers. For other events, some amenities may not be available or not offered.

Recommended places for children and families

Sections 304 and 305:

• Near many concessions at the top level;
• Next to the store of goods to buy Sabers souvenirs for the family;
• Ticket prices on the lower level.

Recommended places for guest impressions

Sections 205, 206, 207, and 208:

• Fantastic elevated views of the sides of the arena, with the possibility of being close to the ice center;
Quizzes. Biographies of athletes
Ultimate 100 questions, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, LeBron James, Saul Alvarez, Stephen Curry, Conor McGregor, Max Verstappen, Erling Haaland.
• Exclusive Club Amenities with Club Lounge Access with Premium Bars.

Recommended places for parties and socializing

Sections 320, 321 and 322:

• Right above the blue zone of LABATTA on the lower level;
• Labatt Blue Zone — the perfect place for parties and chat with alcohol available for purchase;
• Ticket prices on the lower level.

Recommended places for great ice views

Lines 13-20 in sections 104, 105, 106, and 116:

• Great views from the bottom near the center of the ice;
• Excellent seat height for action tracking;
• Near the entrance to the tunnels in line 18.

Where to buy tickets?

Working hours are from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 pm. On Arena event days, business hours start at 9:00 until the end of the event (Sunday: from 10:00 until the end of the event). For your convenience, the KeyBank Ticket Office has twelve ticket offices in the eastern part of the Pavilion, situated to the left of Accounting.

Enjoy NHL hockey, lacrosse NLL and family shows at the KeyBank Center with family, friends, colleagues or organization. Your group can witness exciting events at the KeyBank Center and enjoy great savings. Never early place an order for a group ticket.

Tickets for swords are some of the cheapest in the NHL. Fans can still receive tickets to lower level singles without touching the three pieces. Epistaxis at the top level starts at $25. With the decline of the team, the secondary market offers many opportunities for making real deals. Concession prices are average for a place of this level.

Add in relatively reasonable prices for parking. It is always helpful to check the team website, as they regularly offer special packages of 4 each and other discount tickets for choosing games. And season ticket holders get an even bigger discount: tickets are sold at a discount of about 40% of the face value, and a 2.5% discount at Sabrebucks, a loaded gift card, which can be exchanged for any retail installation in the arena or HarborCenter.

How to get there?

From the North from I-190 South

You can choose one of two outputs:

1. Exit 5 (Louisiana Street): lower exit, turn left.
2. Turn on Perry Street (1st Light) or South Park Avenue (2nd Light).
3. KeyBank Center is right ahead.
4. Parking available only after Michigan.

Alternative route:

1. Exit 6 (Elm Street): when you exit 190, keep left until the exit.
2. Turn right onto Seneca street.
3. Turn right onto Michigan Street and cross the bridge.
4. Turn right into Perry St.
5. KeyBank Center is right ahead. Parking available at Perry St.

From the South, East and West From Interstate 90 (Thruway) to Exit 53 (I-190 North)

You can exit at either of the two exits:

1. Exit 5 (Hamburg Street)
2. At the exit, turn right into Hamburg
3. Turn right onto Perry Street (1st Light).
4. KeyBank Center is right ahead.
5. Parking available only after Michigan Street.

Alternative route:

1. Exit 6 (Elm Street).
2. When you exit 190, stay right at the convention.
3. Turn right onto Seneca street.
4. Turn right onto Michigan Street and cross the bridge.
5. Turn right into Perry St.
6. KeyBank Center is right ahead. Parking available at Perry St.

Transport

Airports:

• Buffalo Niagara International Airport;
• Niagara Falls International Airport.

Shuttle:

• Buffalo Airport Shuttle.

Buses:

• Grand Tours;
• Greyhound bus lines;
• Niagara Scenic Tours.

Cab Service:

• Airport Taxi Service;
• Liberty;
• Suburban Taxicab.

Limousine Service:

• Advantage Limo Service;
• Buffalo Limousine;
• MAC Transportation & Tours;
• Magic Mist Limousine;
• Niagara Classic Transport;
• Zoladz Limousine Service;
• The Limousine Service;
• Regional Limousine (Canadian Transportation).

Metrolink:

The Metro Rail NFTA rapid transit system runs through downtown Buffalo and is above ground.

To find out where fees are charged, visit their website at www.nfta.com.

Uber Zone at the KeyBank Center:

Getting to and from the rink is now easier than ever, with the Uber Zone, a specially designated zone near the arena where you can be picked up and dropped off while riding with Uber. The Uber zone in the center of KeyBank is situated on Scott Street, between Washington Street and Michigan Avenue.

To most easily get to the Uber Zone exit KeyBank Center through the central exit door at the Perry Street and take Washington Street to Scott Street.

For more information, visit www.uber.com.

Parking

Parking is available along Perry, Washington and Swan streets.

Bus parking is available on site Perry and Michigan, starting from $ 30, or free sites on the Exchange’s Street (10 minutes walk to the arena).

Additional parking is available on the streets of Baltimore, Mississippi and Columbia.

There are ramps in the arena, at the HarborCenter and at the Coca Cola Field. Ground parking is available in ridiculous abundance throughout the city center. Parking usually costs from 5 to 10 dollars depending on the location. Parking at the next HarborCenter ramp costs $20, and the sky bridge takes you directly to the arena. Street meters are not controlled in the evenings or weekends, so fans coming early enough can get a free seat. Metrorail runs from the University on the southern campus of Buffalo right up to the entrance door to the special event station. A trip by metro in the central part of the city is free. Good strategy — free parking in the Chippewa entertainment district, enjoy a meal/drink and then sit at the station Fountain Plaza, to quickly get to the arena.

Check out Panda Parking for some of the best parking options for the game. Use promo code STADIUMJOURNEY10 for a 10% discount on the first transaction.

Where to eat?

The food presentation at the First Niagara Center was always quite good, but Sabers and their concessionaire raised it to another new level. Halls abound with specialized food stalls, and the Buffalo kitchen abounds throughout the facility.

A prerequisite is the famous beef sandwich on the grill from Buffalo, salty roll with roast beef and the addition of hot horseradish sauce on top ($9 with slices of teapot). Bologna and fried onion sandwich is another hidden local mix ($6). Special hot dogs with local themes such as Saber Horse, Elmwood dog, North Buffalo dog ($7.00) or flatbread pizza ($6.75), such as spinach and artichokes and chicken. Locally made pizza dishes ($6) come with a marinara sauce for dipping. The Mexican booth offers Buffalo chicken burrito ($9.25).

We didn’t even start with a routine fare such as burgers ($8), Polish or Italian sausage ($6.25), delicatessen sandwiches and the whole range of Perry ice cream flavors. At the club level, there is worth dying bacon on a stick ($5). There are many beer offers and they vary, from the ubiquitous brands Budweiser and Labatt to more exotic offers, such as Stella or Shock Top ($ 9.25 for a large jar). New rack for crafting beers, situated next to the second 117, headlined recently produced beer specifically for the Buffalo Sabers, entitled One Buffalo Ale.

Atmosphere

The building exudes energy that screams history and tradition. The display of the Great Buffalo Hall of Sports Hall of Fame is posted next to the team store. Player murals line the walls of the hall. The seating bowl is accented in the team’s blue and gold colors. Electronics, including a high-definition scoreboard and surround sound tape panels, as well as a video presentation covering the entire ice surface, provide good opportunities for nightly entertainment in the game.

The only downside is the muffled energy in the crowd. After several years of no hockey in the playoffs, the level of enthusiasm has declined slightly. Choosing the best atmosphere is as easy as choosing an adversary — the Bruins and Flyers are hated rivals, so having them in a building always raises the noise level.

The presence of any Canadian team, especially the Toronto Maple Leafs, brings a crowd of overseas fans to support visitors. It makes for fun.

Neighborhood

Canalside is hopping. It’s happening. But the good news is that with the opening of the HarborCenter and the opening of the grid of historically aligned channels that follow the path of the old Erie Canal, the zone becomes a magnet for people, followed by trade. Take part in skating and canal festivals, and in good weather stroll along the central pier along the Buffalo River. Across the river is one of the 18 old elevators, and this evening is illuminated by a complex kinetic light show that pleases the eye.

There are several really good restaurants within walking distance of the First Niagara Center. 716 Food and Sport is a must-see at the HarbourCenter. Lagerhaus 95, Liberty Hound, Pizza Plant, Pearl Street Brewing Company, Buffalo Iron Works and Washington Square Lounge are all good advice. Go to Tim Hortons coffee shop and café in HarborCenter. Inside is a real museum for player Tim Horton with expositions, Horton memorabilia and chronology showing the history of old Aud. It is worth checking out. Helium Comedy Club offers excellent national comedy acts. Seneca Buffalo Creek Casino is nearby. There is something to see and do, and there is still a lot ahead.

The fans

These are “suffering” fans. They supported the team with all their might. During the 1970s, people gathered at the camp overnight to get the opportunity to purchase precious tickets for the Sabers games. Even now, the team has a base with seasonal tickets of 16,000, and 3,000 tickets per game are available for purchase in one game. And despite the recent lack of success on the ice, the arena is full or almost full, night after night, as Sabers fans are waiting for the team to become an opponent. One of the most popular t-shirts spotted around these pieces? The slogan “One B4 I Die” is decorated with Bills or Sabers colors. If this community truly wins the world title in either of these two sports, the city is likely to close on the weight of exultation.

Additionally

Two stars in the team’s history are statues of the French Connection on the Alumni Square outside the arena. Another statue of the famous Tim Horton was unveiled in Maine and Scott. Lots of displays throughout the building. No Stanley Cups (yet), but a terrific sense of tradition and history, which makes Buffalo one of the true hockey that is worth seeing.

One star for HarborCenter — owners Terry and Kim Pegula have built a destination that is unique. It is constantly used in Denmark, and teams, players, families and tournaments come to Buffalo from all over the world. The vibrations and energy emanating from the latest Buffalo excavations are really obvious.

One star for Rick Jeanneret. Who, you ask? The famous voice of “Sabres” in 1971 calls the game with a microphone at the microphone. He is Rodney Dangerfield’s doppelganger, his voice is unique, his famous calls are the famous part of the hockey DNA of Buffalo. The man is slowing, but still on it. Present public domain.

History

What was originally known as the Crossroads Arena during construction was opened on September 21, 1996, replacing the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. The cost of construction amounted to 127.5 million dollars (approximately 204 million dollars in 2018).

Renovations

Two glowing Sabers logos have been added to the top level of the pavilion on both sides of the Sports headings panel. In addition, new LED ribbon cards were installed in the arena seating bowl along with a new high-definition board.  AT lower pavilion near the main entrance has been installed the mural with the photos of the winter classic NHL game held at the stadium Ralph Wilson, now known as the field of the New Era , in the nearby Orchard Park.

The overhaul included the demolition and installation of new dressing rooms, renovation of décor and concessions, as well as fan improvements. Additional new amenities include a modern fitness center, new coaching rooms, cinemas where players and coaches can watch previous games, as well as a lounge with kitchen and chef.

In addition, the new locker room Sabres have a Wall of Fame with team history, the names and the number of retired team shirts. Marketing post-game interview room was built. In addition to new changing rooms and educational institutions, public spaces in the arena have also been modernized.

Also as part of the upgrade, the arena purchased the Sabers Blue and Gold color scheme inside the arena bowl. He replaced the red color used on the team logo .The previous Sabers logo has been removed from the board and replaced with the current logo. All original TVs have been replaced by new high-definition TVs. For convenience of fans in the toilets installed coasters for glasses and high-definition televisions. In addition, new chimes were added, which sound two minutes before the start of the throw-in of each period. This allows fans to know to head to the recreation zones. Finally, the Sport Headers panel is now replaced with a blue zone.

On the ice rink, multi-million updates also occurred with the addition of a new drainage system and cooling tower. All Zamboni machines have been replaced and upgraded to align the laser beam. These improvements improve the quality of the ice surface.

Another update is the creation of Tops Markets Alumni Plaza. Space, situated between the inlet and the pavilion arena parking ramp saw concrete columns bridge, covered with bricks. All team members that had a buffalo saber throughout their entire existence are now placed on tablets that are mounted on bricks. In addition, Sabres fans can buy special signs that will be shown along with team members. The centerpiece of the Alumni Plaza is a 10 foot The French Connection statue.

The update includes several changes, including changes to the entrance pavilion in connection with the construction of the HarborCenter. This building is attached to an arena on the dais. HarborCenter is a low-rise building with 2 ice hockey rinks, a Marriott hotel, retail space, an IMPACT training room, restaurants, including 716 Food and Sport, flagship Tim Hortons and a garage. In addition, after the season, “Buffalo Sabers”, “Sabers” added 380 seats, mainly as an additional row at level 200, to increase the arena’s capacity to 19,070. This number is the symbol of the founding of the team in 1970.

The arena was renamed from the First Niagara Center to the KeyBank Center. Entrance canopies that showed hockey images have been replaced. Also, Ephesus has installed a new LED lighting system. This allows the arena to provide better lighting with a significant reduction in the number of required fixtures and a decrease in energy consumption.