KeyBank naming rights extended for Buffalo's downtown arena

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — KeyBank Center will continue to be the name of Buffalo's downtown arena for at least 10 more years, the Sabres announced Wednesday.

KeyBank extended its naming rights of the arena until the 2035-36 season. The new contract will begin for the 2026-27 NHL season.

It is unclear on how money from the deal will be used. The lease on the building is set to expire in September 2026. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said earlier this year that he wants to get the county out of the arena business. The county owns the shell of the building, the city of Buffalo owns the land, and the Sabres are responsible for the interior upkeep of the building.

"This arena is a cornerstone of the economy in Western New York," Sabres owner Terry Pegula said at the formal announcement on Wednesday. "Buffalo may be a small sports market, but it has a big heart."

The Sabres have been playing at the arena, which was first known as Marine Midland Arena, since it opened in 1996. The name was changed to HSBC Arena in 2000 and then became First Niagara Center in 2011. The arena got its current name in 2016.

The Sabres will also have KeyBank decals on their helmets for road games beginning this season.