Nestled among the snowdrifts of Buffalo, New York, the KeyBank Center stands proud against the chilly skyline. This nearly 20,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena has been proudly serving sports, music, and other events to fans in Western New York for more than twenty years.

The History of KeyBank Center

KeyBank Center first opened its doors in 1996, replacing the older and defunct Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. It’s gone through a number of name changes over the years as naming rights have changed hands. It started as the Crossroads Arena during construction and then switched to Marine Midland Arena, HSBC Arena, and First Niagara Center before settling on its current name.

The Buffalo Sabres of the NHL have called KeyBank Center home since the very beginning in 1996. The venue has also hosted countless collegiate hockey and basketball games. In fact it’s hosted the NCAA men’s basketball tournament six times between 2004 and 2017.

KeyBank Center is also a favorite venue for other big-ticket events. The WWE loves the venue for pro wrestling, holding several matches at the venue from 1999 through 2013. KeyBank Center also hosts an impressive number of music concerts every year. Such luminaries as Ariana Grande, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Bieber, and Garth Brooks have all played KeyBank Center music events over the years, filling Buffalo and all of Western New York with great music.

What Makes KeyBank Center Events So Special?

Whether you’re there for a concert, a ball game, or a wrestling match, KeyBank Center is a great venue. Not only is it the biggest indoor multi-purpose arena in Western New York, but it’s also one of the most modern venues. In fact, KeyBank Center has been renovated seven times through 2016 which makes it one of the most cutting-edge indoor arenas anywhere around.