Upcoming Buffalo Sabres dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Buffalo's hockey club since 1970
The Buffalo Sabres play home games at KeyBank Center on the downtown waterfront next to Canalside, and the NHL regular season runs from October into April. The club joined the NHL in 1970 alongside the Vancouver Canucks, founded by brothers Seymour H. Knox III and Northrup Knox. Terry Pegula has owned the team since 2011.
Buffalo plays in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Sabres have reached the Stanley Cup Final twice, losing to the Philadelphia Flyers in 1975 and to the Dallas Stars in 1999. They won the Presidents' Trophy (the award for the league's best regular-season record) in 2006–07.
- Retired numbers. No. 7 Rick Martin, No. 11 Gilbert Perreault and No. 14 René Robert, the French Connection line of the 1970s.
- Rivals. The Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens, all division opponents.
- Traditions. Both the Canadian and U.S. anthems are sung before every home game, and the team skates out to "Sabre Dance."
Picking seats at KeyBank Center
KeyBank Center opened on September 21, 1996, and seats 19,070 for hockey, one of the larger capacities in the league. The bowl has three reserved tiers: the 100 level (the lower bowl closest to the ice), the 200 Level Club (a premium middle tier with exclusive lounges and upgraded concessions) and the 300 level (the upper bowl). Rinkside seats and Harbor Club boxes sit at the top of the price range.
- 100-level sideline. The best hockey view in the building. Middle rows give enough height to see over the glass while staying close to the play.
- 100-level ends. Usually less expensive than the sideline. Pick the end where the Sabres shoot twice (the first and third periods) to see more home-team goals; the attacking end is easy to confirm during warmups.
- The glass. Front-row seats are loud and close but give a flat view of the far end. Better for the experience than for following the game.
- 200 Level Club. The amenity pick: club lounges, shorter lines and a high-enough angle to read the whole rink.
- 300 level. The budget tier. Low rows near center ice offer strong value because the full sheet is in view. The top rows behind the nets are the seats to skip if your budget allows a step down.
The Labatt Blue Zone, a full-service bar on the 100 level, opens two hours before Sabres games and makes an easy meeting point.
The schedule and the games that sell first
The NHL preseason runs in September, the 82-game regular season runs from early October to mid-April, and the playoffs run from April into June. Demand in Buffalo follows a few clear patterns:
- Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto is a short drive across the border, and Leafs fans often make the trip in numbers. Expect these games to be among the toughest tickets of the season.
- Boston and Montreal. Division rivals with traveling followings, and Montreal eliminated Buffalo in the 2026 second round.
- Weekend and holiday dates. Saturday games and dates around the winter holidays sell ahead of weeknights.
- Playoff games. The Sabres returned to the playoffs in 2026 after a 14-season absence, and a long-starved fan base drove heavy demand.
Midweek games against Western Conference opponents are the most dependable way into a good 100-level seat.
Getting downtown and through security
KeyBank Center sits at 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza at the foot of downtown, steps from the Canalside waterfront district.
- Metro Rail. The arena is on the NFTA's Metro Rail line, with the DL&W station listed as the arena's stop, and on two major bus routes.
- Parking. Game-day parking is available in the KeyBank ramp, the LECOM Harborcenter ramp and nearby surface lots. Prepay online where possible.
- Doors. Doors open 90 minutes before Sabres games.
- Payment. Concessions and the team store are cashless, and Canadian currency is accepted at concessions and the Sabres Store.
- Re-entry. Re-entry is not permitted except for medical emergencies.
As of the 2025–26 season, KeyBank Center prohibits bags, backpacks and purses and allows only clutches up to 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches, with exceptions for medical and diaper bags. Tickets are digital through the team app or Apple Wallet. Check the venue's current policy on the Sabres' official site before you go.
Every GoodSeats order is backed by a 100% guarantee, including mobile delivery.
Before and after the game
The arena is part of a compact sports district. LECOM Harborcenter, next door, adds parking and places to eat, and Canalside's restaurants and waterfront paths are a short walk away. Alumni Plaza, outside the arena, is open to fans and makes an easy place to meet before the game.
The building has carried four names: Marine Midland Arena from 1996, HSBC Arena from 2000, First Niagara Center from 2011 and KeyBank Center since 2016. It is also home to the Buffalo Bandits of the National Lacrosse League, so check the event calendar if you plan to visit on a non-hockey night.
Notable moments in Sabres history
- 1970. Gilbert Perreault, the club's first-ever draft pick, scores 38 goals as a rookie.
- 1975. The Fog Game: heat in Memorial Auditorium fills the rink with fog during the Final against Philadelphia, and Jim Lorentz kills a bat in flight during play.
- 1996. The Sabres leave Memorial Auditorium for the new waterfront arena.
- 1999. Dominik Hasek backstops a run to the Final, which ends on Brett Hull's disputed triple-overtime goal in Game 6, remembered in Buffalo as No Goal.
- 2008. The first NHL Winter Classic is played at Ralph Wilson Stadium, a 2–1 shootout loss to Pittsburgh.
- 2026. Buffalo clinches a playoff berth on April 4, ending a 14-season drought, and wins the Atlantic Division before falling to Montreal in seven games in the second round.
Broadcaster Rick Jeanneret called Sabres games from 1971 to 2022 and is one of the most familiar voices in franchise history.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Buffalo Sabres play?
The Sabres play at KeyBank Center, 1 Seymour H. Knox III Plaza in downtown Buffalo next to Canalside. It opened in 1996 and seats 19,070 for hockey.
What are the best seats for a Sabres game?
Middle rows of the 100-level sideline give the best view. For value, low rows of the 300 level near center ice show the whole rink.
What is the KeyBank Center bag policy?
As of the 2025-26 season, bags, backpacks and purses are not allowed; only clutches up to 4 by 6 by 1.5 inches are permitted, plus medical and diaper bags. Check the current policy before you go.
Can I use Canadian money at a Sabres game?
Concessions and the team store are cashless, but the Sabres say Canadian currency is accepted at concessions and the Sabres Store.
Have the Sabres ever won the Stanley Cup?
No. Buffalo reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1975 and 1999 and lost both times, to Philadelphia and Dallas.