First Niagara Center

First Niagara Center

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Former names	Crossroads Arena (Planning-1996) Marine Midland Arena (1996–1999) HSBC Arena (2000–2011)
Location	One Seymour Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, New York, 14203-3096
Coordinates
Owner	Erie County
Operator	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 square feet (65,000 m2)
Construction
Broke ground	November 4, 1994
Opened	September 21, 1996
Construction cost	$127.5 million ($192 million in 2024 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) Buffalo Blizzard (NPSL) (1996–2001) Buffalo Wings (RHI) (1997–1999) Buffalo Destroyers (AFL) (1999–2003) Rochester Americans (AHL) (select games) St. Bonaventure Bonnies (NCAA) (select games)

The First Niagara Center, formerly known as HSBC Arena and Marine Midland Arena, is a multipurpose indoor arena located in downtown Buffalo, New York, USA. It is the largest indoor arena in Western New York, seating 19,070 fans in its normal configuration, and was constructed primarily for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League, who have called the arena home since its opening in 1996, when it replaced the now-demolished Memorial Auditorium.

History

What was originally known during construction as Crossroads Arena opened September 21, 1996, replacing the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. The construction cost was $127.5 million, (approximately $192 million in 2024 dollars).

Naming

Naming rights were sold to Marine Midland Bank, part of the HSBC banking group in 1996, and the building was renamed Marine Midland Arena before the first game had been played. The bank bought the naming rights for 30 years then to expire in 2026. In 1999, as part of HSBC's worldwide corporate rebranding, the arena's name was changed to HSBC Arena. The official renaming of the arena took place March 17, 2000. The name of the arena had been Marine Midland Arena through 1999 and the change was approved in March 2000. This name change coincided with the playing of the first college basketball tournament game in the arena's history. The press box in the arena is named after former Sabres broadcaster and Hockey Hall of Fame member Ted Darling. In 2011, Buffalo based First Niagara Financial Group reached an agreement to purchase HSBC Bank's upstate New York and Connecticut branch network. While naming rights to HSBC Arena were not included in the sale, First Niagara, HSBC, the Buffalo Sabres, and other parties reached an agreement to establish a new naming rights deal with First Niagara. The name of the arena became First Niagara Center that summer. First Niagara bought the naming rights for 15 years, approximately the remainder of the time that was left on HSBC's naming rights deal with the arena.

KeyBank announced its plans to purchase First Niagara, and thus also the naming rights to the arena, on October 30, 2015.

The scoreboard

On November 16, 1996, the arena's first JumboTron, an eight-sided scoreboard made by Daktronics with Sony video screens, fell to the ice while it was being remotely moved. This was minutes after a few players ended practice and hours before a game between the Sabres and Boston Bruins. Nobody was injured, but the game was postponed. The scoreboard was replaced later that season. In time for the Buffalo Sabres' 2007–2008 season, a new High Definition scoreboard manufactured by Daktronics was installed. In addition the four main speaker racks were removed and replaced and two additional speaker racks were added. The new scoreboard features four large high-definition video screens, surrounded by two 360-degree LED ribbon boards. The bottom of the board features large Buffalo Sabres logos with giant sabres crossed behind them. The handles of the sabres are lit with blue LED lights. The Sabres logos shoot smoke out of the Buffalo's nostrils every time a Sabres goal is scored or when the Sabres win at home.

Renovations

The first update to the arena took place after the conclusion of the 1998-1999 hockey season. 95 seats were added behind the last row of the 300 level, raising the arena's hockey and lacrosse capacity from 18,595 to 18,690. The next update to the arena took place in 2002-03, when the Sabres replaced matrix board on the face of the second bowl with a LED ribbon. The original seamless glass boards were also removed, and replaced with boards with clear plastic stanchions, which gave when players were hit into them. Another update to First Niagara Center took place for the 2007–2008 season. Two illuminated Sabres logos were added in the upper level of the pavilion on both sides of the Sports Headlines bar. Also, new LED ribbon boards were installed in the arena seating bowl in conjunction with the new HD scoreboard. Later in 2008, a mural was installed in the lower pavilion near the main entrance. The mural contained pictures from the 2008 NHL Winter Classic held at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. Another update took place during the summer and early fall of 2011. The major renovation included the demolition and installation of brand new locker rooms, decor and concession updates as well as fan enhancements. This $6 million locker room project led by Cannon Design of Grand Island saw an expansion from 8,000 to 15,220 square feet (743 to 1,414 m²) in size. The new Sabres locker room is designed as a circular room, complete with illuminated team logos on the floor and ceiling. Additional new facilities include a state of the art fitness center, new coaching offices, film rooms where players and coaches can watch previous games, and a players lounge with a kitchen and team chef. Also, the new Sabres locker room features a Wall of Fame featuring team history, the names and numbers of retired team jerseys. Limestones that were salvaged from the former Buffalo Memorial Auditorium are surrounded by glass, which features the names of all team players throughout franchise existence. Visiting team locker rooms were also expanded from 3,230 to 3,511 square feet (300.1 to 326.2 m²). Finally, a new post-game interview room was also built. In addition to the new locker rooms and training facilities, the public spaces within the arena were also upgraded. First, the arena took on the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme inside the arena bowl. It replaces the red color used on the team logo from 1996–2006. The previous Sabres logo (used from 2006–2010) was removed from the scoreboard and replaced with the current logo. All of the original television sets were replaced with new High Definition televisions. New food choices were added as part of the upgraded concessions. Signage was replaced or upgraded where needed. Restrooms saw cup holders and HD televisions added for fan convenience. Also, new chimes were added, which sound two minutes prior to the opening faceoff each period. This lets fans know to head towards the seating areas. Finally, the Sports Headlines bar has now been replaced by the Labatt Blue Zone. The ice rink itself saw a multimillion-dollar upgrade with adding a new dehumidifier system and cooling tower. All of the Zamboni machines were replaced and upgraded to feature laser beam leveling. These upgrades improve the quality of the ice surface. Outside, a new LED ribbon board was added to the entrance pavilion which can display upcoming events, scores, and team information. Another update features the creation of the Tops Markets Alumni Plaza. In July 2012, the space located between the arena's entrance pavilion and the parking ramp saw the concrete bridge columns covered with brick. All of the team members that the Buffalo Sabres have had throughout existence are now featured on plaques that are mounted to the bricks. In addition, fans of the Sabres are able to purchase custom plaques that will be featured alongside the team members. Alumni Plaza's centerpiece is a 10' high bronze statue of the "French Connection." These renovations were completed in October 2012. The new HarborCenter building is attached to the arena by an elevated walkway. HarborCenter is a mid-rise building with 2 hockey rinks, a Marriott hotel, retail space, IMPACT Training facility, restaurants including 716 Food and Sport and flagship Tim Hortons and a parking garage. Construction began in early 2013, while the restaurants and rinks opened in late October 2014. The elevated walkway connecting the First Niagara Center and HarborCenter buildings was completed and opened in early 2015, while the Marriott hotel opened in the summer of 2015. After the 2011-12 Buffalo Sabres season, the Sabres added 380 seats, mainly as an additional row in the 200 level, to raise the arena's capacity to 19,070. This number is symbolic of the team's founding in 1970. In 2013, the Buffalo Sabres announced that all 80 luxury suites would be renovated over a 3-year period. All suites will now feature the Sabres Blue and Gold color scheme, 50" televisions, new carpeting, new furniture and gathering islands. Construction began on this project in July 2013.

Operations

First Niagara Center during a Buffalo Sabres game

First Niagara Center during the 2008 National Lacrosse League Champion's Cup game

First Niagara Center is home to the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League. The arena was the home of the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League, the Buffalo Blizzard of the National Professional Soccer League II and the Buffalo Wings of Roller Hockey International during each team's brief existence. During the 2012 NHL lockout, the arena has hosted several Rochester Americans games and continues to host occasional Americans games at the arena. The Toronto Raptors played a preseason game vs the Miami Heat at Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo in 1996 in front of 12,000 people. The arena also is used regularly for college basketball games and hosts concerts. It has been home to the NCAA (2000, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2014, 2017) and MAAC (1997, 1999, 2001, 2005) men's basketball tournaments. In 2003 the arena hosted the Frozen Four NCAA Ice Hockey tournament. The arena was also host to a house party for the 2008 NHL Winter Classic. Festivities included the Buffalo Sabres Alumni Hockey Team playing in pre-game action, followed by the Winter Classic shown on the scoreboard. From December 2010 to January 2011, the arena hosted the IIHF World Junior Championship tournament. In October 2014, the arena hosted its first Ontario Hockey League contest, a neutral-site game between the Erie Otters (who count among its players marquee prospect Connor McDavid) and the Niagara IceDogs. The arena hosted the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and will hold the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The arena has hosted many WWE events including The Great American Bash 2005, Armageddon (2008), Night of Champions (2011) and Battleground (2013). Since 2004, a number of Raw and SmackDown tapings have occurred here, most recently a live episode of Raw on September 28, 2015.

Concerts

The arena is also a regular stop for major concert tours and is the largest regular concert venue in Buffalo proper (it is one of two regular stops in Western New York for concert tours, the other being the performing arts center at Darien Lake). In March 2015, the arena hosted country music legend Garth Brooks for a 4-night, 6 show, sold out string of shows, bringing over 100,000 people to Downtown Buffalo. He also had his wife, Trisha Yearwood, along for the shows. It is a regular stop on Trans-Siberian Orchestra's annual circuit. For 2016, the area will be host to multiple concerts including Blake Shelton, Rihanna, Carrie Underwood, Justin Bieber, Demi Lovato with Nick Jonas and Maroon 5, so far.

Seating

In its ice hockey/indoor lacrosse configuration, the First Niagara Center can seat 19,070 spectators. In the event that the arena is being used for a concert, basketball game or other event that does not require the entire 200×85 surface, the total number can increase, accounting for seats or standing space on the arena's floor. Both sporting events and concerts at the arena are served by the Special Events station of the Buffalo Metro Rail.

Gallery

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  First Niagara Center Entrance

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  Former HSBC Arena (now First Niagara Center) shown with the old Buffalo Memorial Auditorium

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  The jumbotron prior to a Buffalo Sabres game

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  The jumbotron after a goal from the Sabres

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  French connection statue in the alumni plaza

External links

• Official website
• First Niagara Center Seating Chart

Preceded by Buffalo Memorial Auditorium	Home of the Buffalo Sabres 1996 – present	Succeeded by current
Preceded by Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minnesota	Host of the Frozen Four 2003	Succeeded by FleetCenter Boston, Massachusetts
Preceded by Credit Union Centre Sakatoon, SK, Canada and Brandt Centre Regina, SK, Canada	Host of the IIHF World Junior Championship 2011	Succeeded by Scotiabank Saddledome Calgary, AB, Canada and Rexall Place Edmonton, AB, Canada