KeyBank Center facts for kids
 |
|
KeyBank Center in 2021
|
|
| Former names | Marine Midland Arena (1996–2000) HSBC Arena (2000–2011) First Niagara Center (2011–2016) |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza |
| Location | Buffalo, New York |
| Coordinates | 42°52′30″N 78°52′35″W / 42.87500°N 78.87639°W |
| Public transit |  NFTA Metro Rail (Special Events) |
| Owner | Erie County |
| Operator | Pegula Sports and Entertainment (Hockey Western New York, LLC) |
| Capacity | Ice hockey: 18,595 (1996–1999) 18,690 (1999–2012) 19,070 (2012–present) Concerts: 18,500 Basketball: 19,200 Wrestling: 16,597 |
| Field size | 700,000 sq ft (65,000 m2) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | November 4, 1994 |
| Built | 1994-1996 |
| Opened | September 21, 1996 |
| Construction cost | $127.5 million ($238 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | Ellerbe Becket (now known as AECOM) Bergmann Associates PC Hamilton Houston Lownie Architects |
| General contractor | Huber, Hunt & Nichols |
| Tenants | |
| Buffalo Sabres (NHL) (1996–present) Buffalo Bandits (NLL) (1996–present) Canisius (NCAA) (1996–1998) Rochester Americans (AHL) (1996–2008, 2011–present) (Occasional Home Games) Buffalo Blizzard (NPSL) (1996–2001) Buffalo Wings (RHI) (1997) Buffalo Destroyers (AFL) (1999–2003) |
|
The KeyBank Center is a big indoor building in Buffalo, New York. It's the largest indoor place in Western New York, and almost 20,000 people can watch events there! It was built mainly for the Buffalo Sabres, a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL). They've played there since 1996, after their old home, the Memorial Auditorium, was taken down. The building got its current name, KeyBank Center, in 2016. Erie County owns it, and a company called Pegula Sports and Entertainment runs it.
Contents
Cool Scoreboard Features
Imagine a giant scoreboard falling! That actually happened here on November 16, 1996. The arena's first scoreboard, which was huge and had eight sides, fell onto the ice. This happened just minutes after some hockey players finished practice. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the game that night had to be postponed. A new scoreboard was put in later that same season.
For the Buffalo Sabres' 2007–2008 season, an even cooler high-definition scoreboard was installed. This new board has four big video screens. It also has two LED ribbon boards that go all the way around it. At the bottom, there are large Buffalo Sabres logos with giant crossed sabres behind them. The handles of these sabres light up with blue lights. The best part? The Sabres logos actually shoot smoke out of the buffalo's nostrils every time the Sabres score a goal or win a game at home!
Awesome Concerts and Shows
The KeyBank Center isn't just for sports; it's also a popular place for big concerts! Many famous music stars have performed here. In March 2015, country music legend Garth Brooks played six sold-out shows over four nights. More than 100,000 people came to downtown Buffalo to see him! The Trans-Siberian Orchestra also performs here every year.
In 2016, the arena hosted many huge concerts. Some of the artists included Kanye West, Blake Shelton, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato with Nick Jonas, Maroon 5, and AC/DC. A live recording of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's concert from 2009 was even released in 2016.
More recently, in 2017, Ariana Grande performed at the arena. Country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill brought their "Soul2Soul The World Tour" here too. Céline Dion also returned to the arena in December 2019 for her "Courage World Tour."
Seating for Every Event
When the KeyBank Center is set up for ice hockey or indoor lacrosse, it can hold 19,070 fans. But for concerts, basketball games, or other events, even more people can fit! This is because extra seats or standing room can be added on the arena's main floor. You can even get to the arena easily by using the Buffalo Metro Rail's special "Special Events" station.
Images for kids
-
The venue's interior during a Buffalo Sabres game, October 2009
-
The French Connection statue in Alumni Plaza, October 2012
-
The venue's interior during the National Lacrosse League Champion's Cup, May 2008
See also
In Spanish: KeyBank Center para niños
