Sabres’ KeyBank Center retains name

Article posted by Coliseum, August 6^th, 2025

Image: KeyBank

KeyBank and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres have agreed a 10-year extension of their arena naming rights deal.

KeyBank said the contract, which is set to begin in 2026-27, will keep the KeyBank Center name in place through the 2035-36 season. KeyBank is the official and exclusive bank of the Buffalo Sabres.

The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. The Sabres compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.

They play their home games at KeyBank Center, a multipurpose indoor arena located in Buffalo, New York.

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, it is the largest indoor arena in Western New York, seating 19,070.

Sabres owner, CEO and President Terry Pegula said, “We are thankful for the support of KeyBank over the course of the last decade and look forward to the continued relationship with such a valued partner of the Buffalo Sabres.

“We take great pride in our home arena bearing the name of an organization with such strong roots in the Western New York community and feel this partnership will continue to drive community impact for many years to come.”

In addition to the arena naming rights, the longstanding partnership between the Sabres and KeyBank will introduce KeyBank as the team’s away helmet sponsor starting in the 2025-26 season.

KeyBank’s collaboration with the Sabres dates back to 2015 and reinforces the commitment of both organizations to the Western New York community.

KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Chris Gorman said, “We are thrilled to build upon our partnership with the Buffalo Sabres. This is an investment in Buffalo and reflects our commitment to this community.

“KeyBank and the Sabres will continue to drive Buffalo forward, creating opportunities and delivering on our purpose: to help our clients and communities thrive. We believe in Buffalo’s future and are proud to carry it forward — together.”

KeyBank and the Buffalo Sabres’ dedication to giving back to the city of Buffalo and the greater Western New York region will continue with the introduction of the HocKey Assists Community Program.

The mission of HocKey Assists is to inspire pride and possibility in the Western New York community.

Through initiatives focused on education, small business growth and neighborhood engagement, this community program will empower and support youth, put a spotlight on local entrepreneurs and their journeys, and bring people together through impactful programs that make a lasting difference in the neighborhoods we call home.

As part of the continued partnership, KeyBank customers will enjoy exclusive benefits when attending games, concerts and events at KeyBank Center starting during the 2026-27 hockey season.

The partnership extension was negotiated with the help of Excel Consulting Services, an industry-leading management and marketing agency.

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