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62-701: KeyBank Center is a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York , United States. Originally known as Marine Midland Arena , the venue has since been named HSBC Arena and First Niagara Center . Home to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League since 1996, is the largest indoor arena in Western New York , seating 19,070. It replaced the Sabres' former home, Buffalo Memorial Auditorium , where

124-458: A Buffalo-based food products company, signed a 25-year, $ 1.5 million deal ($ 60,000 per year), by which the venue would be called "Rich Stadium"; one of the earliest examples of the sale of naming rights in North American sports. (The name was somewhat of a compromise, after Bills owner and founder Ralph Wilson rejected the name Rich wanted to use, "Coffee Rich Park.") By a vote of 16–4,

186-547: A greatly increased rights fee, which would have brought the price up to par with other NFL stadiums. On August 13, 2016, Buffalo-based New Era Cap Company and the Bills reached a seven-year, $ 35 million agreement for stadium naming rights. The Bills and New Era officially announced the stadium's new name of New Era Field five days later, on August 18, 2016. On July 15, 2020, the Bills announced that New Era Cap asked to be released from their naming rights and sponsorship deal, and

248-519: A multitude of spectators. The word derives from Latin harena , a particularly fine-grained sand that covered the floor of ancient arenas such as the Colosseum in Rome , Italy, to absorb blood. The term arena is sometimes used as a synonym for a very large venue such as Pasadena's Rose Bowl , but such a facility is typically called a stadium . The use of one term over the other has mostly to do with

310-421: A naming rights bid by minitoilet maker Tushy Bidets, saying that any name that "embarrasses the community" would not even be considered regardless of the size of the bid. Signs bearing the "New Era Field" name were removed beginning July 24. On August 20, the team announced they would temporarily use the name Bills Stadium until they found a new naming-rights partner. On March 29, 2021, the team announced that

372-672: A natural grass surface; AstroTurf was installed in the stadium upon its opening in 1973. The first renovation occurred in 1984 when the stadium's capacity was increased to 80,290 with the addition of 16 executive suites. Eight years later in 1992, 24 more executive suites were added. In 1994, major renovations were made to the stadium including the addition of the Red Zone and Goal Line clubs that are enclosed in glass and have 500 seats. These renovations also added 14 executive suites. A massive $ 9.1 million (inflation adjusted) 41.5 by 31.5 feet (12.6 by 9.6 m) Sony JumboTron video scoreboard

434-617: A new product, A-Turf Titan , produced by a Western New York company. As of the 2023 season, Buffalo is the only NFL stadium using the A-Turf Titan product. On December 21, 2012, the lease negotiations between the Bills, Erie County, and the state of New York ended with the Bills signing a ten-year lease to stay in Buffalo until 2023. The agreement included $ 130 million in improvements to New Era Field. Renovations included new larger entrance gates, larger HD sponsor boards added to each side of

496-507: A parking garage. Construction began in early 2013, while the restaurants and rinks opened in late October 2014. The elevated walkway connecting the KeyBank Center and LECOM Harborcenter buildings was completed and opened in early 2015, while the Marriott hotel opened in the summer of 2015. Also, after the 2011-12 Buffalo Sabres season , the Sabres added 380 seats, mainly as an additional row in

558-621: A stadium for the Buffalo Bills." On June 18, 2021, the Pegulas chose Legends Global Planning to represent ownership, consult on a new stadium and sell sponsorships and premium seats for the venue. In addition, an unnamed source claimed that the Bills are planning to build a new stadium in Orchard Park to replace Highmark Stadium, with two of the television stations in Rochester, New York reporting

620-608: Is a 10' high bronze statue of The French Connection . These renovations were completed in October 2012. The sixth update included multiple changes, including modifying the entrance pavilion due to the LECOM Harborcenter construction. That building is attached to the arena by an elevated walkway. LECOM Harborcenter is a mid-rise building with 2 hockey rinks, a Marriott hotel, retail space, IMPACT Training facility, restaurants including 716 Food and Sport and flagship Tim Hortons and

682-421: Is a large enclosed platform, often circular or oval-shaped, designed to showcase theatre , musical performances , and/or sporting events . It is composed of a large open space surrounded on most or all sides by tiered seating for spectators, and may be covered by a roof. The key feature of an arena is that the event space is the lowest point, allowing maximum visibility. Arenas are usually designed to accommodate

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744-428: Is expected to open in 2026. On June 5, 2023, during a groundbreaking ceremony, the Bills announced that Highmark's naming rights would transfer to the new venue, which will also be named Highmark Stadium. Since the Bills moved from War Memorial Stadium into their current home, it has been noted that the team has not won a championship since, and has had frequent periods of heartbreak, including four Super Bowl losses in

806-405: Is one of the nation's windiest cities, and as a result, Highmark Stadium is difficult for kickers , with swirling winds that change direction rapidly. This is exacerbated by the stadium's design. The field is 50 feet (15 m) below ground level, while the top of the upper deck stands only 60 feet (18 m) above ground. The open end lies parallel to the direction of the prevailing winds, so when

868-598: The 1998 NHL Entry Draft and the 2016 NHL Entry Draft . The arena hosted games three, four, and six of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals . In 2003, the arena hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament. From December 2010 to January 2011, the arena hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament. During the 2012 NHL lockout , the arena hosted several Rochester Americans games and continues to host occasional Americans games at

930-521: The AFL–NFL merger of 1970 dictated a minimum of 50,000 seats. In early 1971, owner Ralph Wilson was exploring options to relocate the team, possibly to Seattle , with other cities such as Memphis and Tampa soon expressing interest as well. The potential loss of the team hastened the stadium project and Rich Stadium opened in 1973 . The location and construction of the stadium in Erie County were

992-519: The American Football League (AFL) in 1960 , the Buffalo Bills played their first 13 seasons at War Memorial Stadium , a multi-use WPA project stadium that opened in 1938, located on Buffalo's East Side . While suitable for AFL play in the 1960s, the "Rockpile" (as the stadium came to be nicknamed), was in disrepair and with a capacity of under 47,000, undersized for a National Football League (NFL) team. The league mandate instituted after

1054-643: The Thursday at the Square series among others, Seneca Niagara Casino , and the KeyBank Center , which opened in 1996, replacing Buffalo Memorial Auditorium in downtown Buffalo. The stadium has also hosted the Drum Corps International championships three times. Autocross racing events are held in one of the stadium's parking lots during the spring, summer, and fall months. The local WNY SCCA Chapter hosts

1116-522: The first NHL Winter Classic . The Penguins won 2–1 in a shootout in front of 71,217. On December 29, 2017, the stadium hosted a match between the U.S. and Canada at the 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships being hosted by Buffalo. Nearly 30 concerts have been held at the stadium, starting in 1974 with Eric Clapton and The Band . Several bands have played the stadium multiple times, including The Rolling Stones , who played there in 1975, 1978, 1981, 1997, and 2015. The Grateful Dead played

1178-556: The 1990s at the stadium, which ended with Dave Matthews Band and NSYNC each playing a concert in June 2001, with no more concerts at the stadium for 14 years. This was due to the combination of a declining number of stadium rock acts, population decline, and the availability of other, more intimate, venues in Western New York such as Artpark in Lewiston , Darien Lake Performing Arts Center in Corfu ,

1240-590: The 200 level, to raise the arena's capacity to 19,070. This number is symbolic of the team's founding in 1970. In 2013, the Buffalo Sabres announced that all 80 luxury suites would be renovated over a 3-year period. All suites will now feature the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme, 50" TVs, new carpeting, new furniture and gathering islands. Construction began on this project in July 2013. The seventh update took place during

1302-776: The NCAA in 2026. The arena was the centerpiece of a longshot bid to bring the National Basketball Association back to Buffalo by luring the Vancouver Grizzlies ; the Grizzlies instead relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in 2001. KeyBank Center has hosted professional wrestling events from WCW , WWE , and AEW . This included TV tapings of Monday Nitro , Raw is War , SmackDown , ECW , Superstars , Main Event , NXT , Dynamite , and Rampage . WCW produced

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1364-509: The annual Ilio DiPaolo Memorial Show at the venue between 1997 and 1999. In addition, the venue hosted several pay-per-view events including Fully Loaded (1999) , Fall Brawl (2000) , The Great American Bash (2005) , Armageddon (2008) , Night of Champions (2011) and Battleground (2013) . On April 8, 2017, KeyBank Center hosted UFC 210: Cormier vs. Johnson 2 , which was the first UFC event held in Buffalo for over 20 years. Performances from Barenaked Ladies ' October 9, 1998 concert at

1426-538: The arena bowl. It replaced the red color used on the team logo from 1996 to 2006. The previous Sabres logo (known infamously as the "Buffaslug", and used from 2006 to 2010) was removed from the scoreboard and replaced with the current logo. All of the original TV sets were replaced with new HDTVs . New food choices were added as part of the upgraded concessions. Signage was replaced or upgraded where needed. Restrooms saw cup holders and HDTVs added for fan convenience. Also, new chimes were added, which sound two minutes prior to

1488-525: The arena took place after the conclusion of the 1998-1999 hockey season. 95 seats were added behind the last row of the 300 level, raising the arena's hockey and lacrosse capacity from 18,595 to 18,690. The second update to the arena took place in 2002–2003, when the Sabres replaced matrix board on the face of the second bowl with a LED ribbon. The original seamless glass boards were also removed, and replaced with boards with clear plastic stanchions, which gave when players were hit into them. The third update to

1550-602: The arena took place prior to the 2007–2008 season. Two illuminated Sabres logos were added in the upper level of the pavilion on both sides of the Sports Headlines bar. Also, new LED ribbon boards were installed in the arena seating bowl in conjunction with the new HD scoreboard manufactured by Daktronics . In addition, the four main speaker racks were removed and replaced and two additional speaker racks were added. The new scoreboard features four large HD video screens, surrounded by two 360-degree LED ribbon boards. The bottom of

1612-400: The arena's name was changed to HSBC Arena, with the official renaming taking place on March 17, 2000. This name change coincided with the playing of the first college basketball tournament game in the arena's history. In 2011, Buffalo-based First Niagara Financial Group reached an agreement to purchase HSBC Bank's upstate New York and Connecticut branch network, including much of the core of

1674-658: The arena. In October 2014, the arena hosted its first Ontario Hockey League contest, a neutral-site game between the Erie Otters (who counted among its players marquee prospect Connor McDavid ) and the Niagara IceDogs . In 2019, the arena hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament again for the first time in 16 years. The NBA carried over their annual preseason contest from Buffalo Memorial Auditorium with annual Toronto Raptors preseason games at

1736-408: The autocrosses. The Buffalo Bills will begin play in a new stadium adjacent to the current one by 2026. Although new stadium ideas had been proposed before the death of Ralph Wilson, with the new ownership of Terry and Kim Pegula , the prospect of a new stadium has been raised again. During his press conference to acquire the team, Terry Pegula stated, "we will gradually proceed to plan and design

1798-525: The board features large Buffalo Sabres logos with giant sabres crossed behind them. The handles of the sabres are lit with blue LEDs. The Sabres logos shoot smoke out of the Buffalo's nostrils every time a Sabres goal is scored or when the Sabres win at home. Later in 2008, a mural was installed in the lower pavilion near the main entrance, containing pictures from the 2008 NHL Winter Classic held at Ralph Wilson Stadium, now known as Highmark Stadium , in nearby Orchard Park . The fourth update took place during

1860-485: The construction. Neither the Bills nor any official entity in Erie County has verified or denied the claims. On March 28, 2022, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that a deal had been reached between New York State, Erie County, and the Bills for a 62,000-seat, $ 1.4 billion dollar stadium in Orchard Park. It will be built across the street from Highmark Stadium adjacent to Erie Community College ’s south campus, and

1922-494: The county legislature approved the name in November 1972, despite a matching offer from Wilson to name it "Buffalo Bills Stadium." When the Bills organization regularly referred to the stadium without the "Rich" name, Rich Products brought a $ 7.5 million lawsuit against the team in 1976 . After the original deal expired after a quarter century in 1998, the stadium was renamed in honor of Wilson. Rich Products balked at paying

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1984-637: The demolition of Archbold Stadium and the construction of the Carrier Dome on its footprint. The stadium hosted a Black Friday contest between the UB Bulls and the Bowling Green Falcons in 2013. Adjacent to the stadium is 1,800-seat West Herr Stadium, the home field for Erie Community College 's football team . On January 1, 2008, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in

2046-457: The facility is called Cameron Indoor Stadium . Domed stadiums, which, like arenas, are enclosed but have the larger playing surfaces and seating capacities found in stadiums, are generally not referred to as arenas in North America. There is also the sport of indoor American football (one variant of which is explicitly known as arena football), a variant of the outdoor game that is designed for

2108-469: The floor and ceiling. Additional new facilities include a state of the art fitness center, new coaching offices, film rooms where players and coaches can watch previous games, and a players lounge with a kitchen and team chef. Also, the new Sabres locker room features a Wall of Fame featuring team history, the names and numbers of retired team jerseys. Limestones that were salvaged from the former Buffalo Memorial Auditorium are surrounded by glass, which features

2170-429: The names of all team players throughout franchise existence. Visiting team locker rooms were also expanded from 3,230 to 3,511 square feet (300.1 to 326.2 m). Finally, a new post-game interview room was also built. In addition to the new locker rooms and training facilities, the public spaces within the arena were also upgraded. Also as part of the update, the arena took on the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme inside

2232-552: The new venue. Canisius College played select home games at the arena from 1996 to 1998, moving there after decades at the Aud. However, they moved all games on campus to the Koessler Center after the 1997–98 season. The arena has been home to the NCAA ( 2000 , 2004 , 2007 , 2010 , 2014 , 2017 , 2022 ) and MAAC (1997, 1999, 2001, 2005) men's basketball tournaments. It will also host

2294-523: The number of light fixtures needed and reducing energy consumption. The arena’s main scoreboard and roof are both being replaced in the spring/summer of 2024. Naming rights were sold to Marine Midland Bank , part of the HSBC banking group in 1996, and the building was renamed Marine Midland Arena before the first game had been played. The bank bought the naming rights for 30 years then to expire in 2026. In 1999, as part of HSBC's worldwide corporate rebranding,

2356-406: The old Marine Midland. While naming rights to HSBC Arena were not included in the sale, First Niagara, HSBC, the Buffalo Sabres and other parties reached an agreement to establish a new naming rights deal with First Niagara. The name of the arena became First Niagara Center that summer, with the official renaming taking place that fall. First Niagara bought the naming rights for 15 years, approximately

2418-507: The opening faceoff each period. This lets fans know to head towards the seating areas. Finally, the Sports Headlines bar has now been replaced by the Labatt Blue Zone. The ice rink itself also saw a multimillion-dollar upgrade with adding a new dehumidifier system and cooling tower. All of the Zamboni machines were replaced and upgraded to feature laser beam leveling. These upgrades improve

2480-469: The quality of the ice surface. Outside, a new LED ribbon board was added to the entrance pavilion which can display upcoming events, scores, and team information, though it was subsequently removed to make way for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge to the adjacent LECOM Harborcenter complex in 2014. The fifth update features the creation of the Tops Markets Alumni Plaza. In July 2012,

2542-461: The remainder of the time that was left on HSBC's naming rights deal with the arena. KeyCorp announced its plans to purchase First Niagara—and thus also the naming rights to the arena—on October 30, 2015. Although exterior signage was installed during the week of August 11, 2016, the renamed KeyBank Center became official on September 19, 2016. The venue hosted its first Buffalo Sabres regular season home game on October 12th, 1996. The arena hosted

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2604-524: The source of years of litigation , which ended with a financial settlement for a developer who had planned to erect a domed stadium in Lancaster . However, plans changed because it was not wanted to be close to Lancaster High School . The stadium was ultimately built by Frank Schoenle and his construction company . Bonds were approved by the county legislature in September 1971. In 1972, Rich Products ,

2666-411: The space located between the arena's entrance pavilion and the parking ramp saw the concrete bridge columns covered with brick. All of the team members that the Buffalo Sabres have had throughout existence are now featured on plaques that are mounted to the bricks. In addition, fans of the Sabres are able to purchase custom plaques that will be featured alongside the team members. Alumni Plaza's centerpiece

2728-441: The stadium a 5 times including 7/4/86, 7/4/89, 7/16/90, 6/6/92, and 6/13/93 with their July 4, 1989 Truckin' Up to Buffalo performance being documented on Vinyl, CD, and DVD. The Who , Dave Matthews Band , and The Jackson Five have all played at the stadium multiple times as well. Double and multi-billed concerts have also been scheduled at the stadium. There were notable large concerts that were scheduled to take place at

2790-468: The stadium but were later canceled. Led Zeppelin was set to perform at the stadium on their 1977 North American Tour . The concert was one of the seven remaining concerts on the tour that were canceled due to the death of lead singer Robert Plant 's son. A Bruce Springsteen concert, that was originally scheduled at the stadium in 2003, was moved to the smaller Darien Lake Performing Arts Center due to low ticket sales. Concert appearances began to wane in

2852-581: The stadium until January 22, 2023, when they lost 27–10 in the AFC Divisional Round against the Cincinnati Bengals . The Bills have defeated each of the 31 other teams there at least once and are unbeaten there against three teams: the Arizona Cardinals (5–0), Green Bay Packers (7–0), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3–0). The stadium is open-air, with a capacity of 71,870. It has never had

2914-518: The stadium. The stadium annually hosts the region's Section VI and Monsignor Martin Athletic Association high school football playoffs. On July 14, 1984, the stadium hosted a one-time-only supercross motorcycle racing event. The opening ceremony of the 1993 Summer Universiade was held at the stadium. Syracuse University played two home games at the stadium in 1979 . Syracuse was left without an on-campus home for one season between

2976-422: The stadium; in the summer of 2007, a new HD Mitsubishi LED board measuring 88.8 by 32.5 feet (27.1 by 9.9 m) was installed and replaced the 13-year-old Sony Jumbotron. Over 1,000 feet (300 m) of Mitsubishi Diamond Vision LED Ribbon Boards were also installed in the interior during that renovation. The total cost for the 2007 project was $ 5.2 million, In 2011, the Bills changed their turf to

3038-583: The stadium’s new name would be Highmark Stadium after reaching a 10-year agreement with Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York. The first NFL playoff game at the stadium came in the 1988 season, a 17–10 Bills victory over the Houston Oilers on January 1, 1989. The Bills won every ensuing playoff game at the stadium until they were defeated on December 28, 1996 by the Jacksonville Jaguars . They would not lose another playoff game at

3100-436: The summer and early fall of 2011. The major renovation included the demolition and installation of brand new locker rooms, decor and concession updates as well as fan enhancements. This $ 6 million locker room project led by Cannon Design of Grand Island saw an expansion from 8,000 to 15,220 square feet (743 to 1,414 m) in size. The new Sabres locker room is designed as a circular room, complete with illuminated team logos on

3162-435: The summer of 2016 on the exterior due to the renaming from First Niagara Center to KeyBank Center. The entrance canopies that featured hockey images were replaced. New exterior signage was installed during the week of August 11, 2016 and KeyBank debuted the rebranded arena on September 19, 2016. Also, a new LED lighting system was installed by Ephesus. This allows the arena to provide better lighting while significantly reducing

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3224-902: The team played from 1970 to 1996. The venue is also home to the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League . KeyBank Center was previously home to the Canisius Golden Griffins ( NCAA ), Buffalo Blizzard ( NPSL ), Buffalo Wings ( RHI ) and Buffalo Destroyers ( AFL ). In addition to concerts and professional wrestling, the venue has hosted major events including the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament , 1999 Stanley Cup Finals , 2003 Frozen Four , 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships , 2012 NLL All-Star Game , 2016 NHL Draft , UFC 210 , 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and 2019 Frozen Four . What

3286-512: The two sides agreed on terms to terminate the contract. The statement referred to the venue only as "the stadium", and the Bills' website scrubbed all references to New Era. Under the terms of the 2012 lease agreement, in addition to Erie County having to approve any new stadium name as the stadium's legal owners, the government of the state of New York would also have a veto ; the clause was inserted to quash ambush marketing attempts. Under this clause, Erie County executive Mark Poloncarz rejected

3348-531: The type of event. Football (be it association , rugby , gridiron , Australian rules , or Gaelic ) is typically played in a stadium, while basketball , volleyball , handball , and ice hockey are typically played in an arena, although many of the larger arenas hold more spectators than do the stadiums of smaller colleges or high schools. There are exceptions. The home of the Duke University men's and women's basketball teams would qualify as an arena, but

3410-519: The unnamed source's claims as fact. Under the claimed plan, the project is expected to take three to five years to complete, with a possibility to be ready by 2025. The Bills may be forced to use an alternate site while the team waits for the project to be completed, with relocating to Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania and/or reviving the Bills Toronto Series being options during

3472-576: The usual smaller playing surface of most arenas; variants of other traditionally outdoor sports, including box lacrosse as well as futsal and indoor soccer , also exist. The term "arena" is also used loosely to refer to any event or type of event which either literally or metaphorically takes place in such a location, often with the specific intent of comparing an idea to a sporting event. Such examples of these would be terms such as "the arena of war", "the arena of love" or "the political arena". Highmark Stadium (New York) An original franchise of

3534-558: The venue are featured in their 1999 documentary Barenaked in America . Avril Lavigne 's May 18, 2003 concert at the venue was released as Avril Lavigne: My World . A live recording of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band 's performance at the arena in 2009 titled HSBC Arena, Buffalo, NY, 11/22/09 was released on December 24, 2016. The press box in the arena is named after former Sabres broadcaster and Hockey Hall of Fame member Ted Darling . Indoor arena An arena

3596-477: The video scoreboard, two new 33.6 by 59.84 feet (10.24 by 18.24 m) HD video boards, larger LED sponsor board added on the tunnel end of the stadium, expanded concessions, new team store, and redesign of areas and lots just outside the entrance gates. In addition, a life-sized statue of team founder Ralph Wilson was posthumously added to a new area outside the team store called "Founder's Plaza" in 2015. Buffalo, by virtue of its position downwind of Lake Erie ,

3658-501: The winds come in, they immediately drop down into the bowl, causing the stadium's signature wind patterns. The size of the field at Highmark Stadium is specifically designed for National Football League dimensions and sight lines, along with football and team markings being formed permanently into the turf, making it extremely difficult for other outdoor sporting events such as soccer , baseball , track and field , or rugby to be held there. None of any significance have ever been held at

3720-532: Was a major update in 1994 and was the largest in the U.S. at the time. In 1998, $ 57 million were spent to refit the stadium with larger seats and more luxury and club seating as a part of the Bills lease renewal with Erie County . This caused the seating capacity to be reduced to just under 74,000. In the 2003 offseason, the original style turf was replaced with a newer AstroTurf product, AstroTurf GameDay Grass (also known as AstroPlay). The lease agreement also stipulated Erie County would continue to upgrade

3782-440: Was abandoned. On November 16, 1996, the arena's first JumboTron , an eight-sided scoreboard made by Daktronics with Sony video screens, fell to the ice while it was being remotely moved. This happened minutes after a few players ended practice and hours before a game between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins . Nobody was injured, but the game was postponed. The scoreboard was replaced later that season. The first update to

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3844-573: Was originally known during construction as Crossroads Arena opened September 21, 1996, replacing the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium . The construction cost was $ 127.5 million, (approximately $ 248 million in 2023 dollars). The venue was named after its central downtown location, which was originally proposed as the site of a domed stadium in the 1960s for the Buffalo Bills and a potential Major League Baseball team before that project

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