BREAKING NEWS: Buffalo Sabres home arena to remain KeyBank Center after reaching 10-year naming rights extension…… see more
The extension begins with the **2026‑27 season** and lasts a full decade ([Sports Business Journal][4]).
* As part of the agreement, **KeyBank branding will appear on the Sabres’ helmets during away games beginning this season** ([ESPN.com][1]).
* Estimated at **\$5–7 million per year**, this marks a significant increase over the previous deal ([Sports Business Journal][4]).
* The relationship spans nearly a decade already, originally formed when KeyBank acquired First Niagara Bank in 2016 ([Sports Business Journal][4]).
### 🏟 Investing in the Future of Downtown Buffalo
Sabres COO Pete Guelli emphasized the importance of keeping the team anchored in downtown Buffalo. A long-term name agreement reinforces the Sabres’ commitment to the arena and its economic impact on the region ([Sports Business Journal][4]). Under his leadership, the venue has already hosted major events like a Paul McCartney concert and a U.S.–Canada women’s hockey Rivalry Series game ([ESPN.com][1]).
### 🔧 Upgrades Underway at KeyBank Center
Designed in 1996 and the oldest NHL arena pending renovation, KeyBank Center has started receiving upgrades:
* **Roof replacement** and **new center‑hung videoboard** ahead of the 2024‑25 season ([ESPN.com][1], [WKBW 7 News Buffalo][5]).
* Future phases will likely include **seat replacements**, **fan amenity improvements**, **revised concourses**, and **sound system upgrades** ([The Washington Post][6]).
* Local development experts estimate that a comprehensive modernization could cost around **\$200 million** ([WKBW 7 News Buffalo][5]).
### 🌱 Community Engagement Through Sport
Beyond branding and upgrades, KeyBank will launch the new **HocKey Assists Community Program**, aimed at empowering youth through educational outreach, small business support, and community-building initiatives across Western New York ([Buffalo Bandits][2]).
KeyBank customers will also enjoy **exclusive access and perks** at arena events beginning in the 2026‑27 season ([Buffalo Bandits][2]).
### 📉 Context on Ice
Despite business progress, the Sabres remain in the midst of an NHL-record **14-season playoff drought** ([ESPN.com][1]). Still, extended naming rights and venue investment underline a long-term vision for both the team and the city.
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### ✅ What This Means:
* **Long-term stability**: Fans can expect the KeyBank Center name for at least another decade.
* **Improved fan experience**: Renovation phases are beginning, with more upgrades to come.
* **Strengthened community partnership**: The HocKey Assists program expands KeyBank’s local impact.
Will further renovations and on-ice success follow? Time will tell—but for now, Buffalo’s arena future is secured at least through **2036**.
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