Rochester's War Memorial, renamed Blue Cross Arena
Blue Cross Arena is the city-owned arena at 1 War Memorial Square in downtown Rochester, on the bank of the Genesee River. It is home to the Rochester Americans (the Amerks, the Buffalo Sabres' AHL affiliate) and the Rochester Knighthawks of the National Lacrosse League, and it hosts concerts, family shows, college basketball and wrestling. It seats 10,662 for hockey. The best seats for a game are along the sidelines in the lower level, where the bowl is compact and mid-level rows look over the glass.
Its full name is Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial. The building opened in 1955 as the Rochester Community War Memorial, and many locals still call it the War Memorial. After a 41-million-dollar rebuild, it reopened on September 18, 1998, under the Blue Cross name, which had been announced that July. Banners for each branch of the military still hang in the entrance lobby.
Seating layout: floor, 100 level, 200 level and suites
The arena has two levels of cushioned seats split by a walkway, with suites above the second level; a few suites overlook one end of the rink. Stadium Journey's review notes that lower-level rows run to row Q.
100 level
The lower level wraps the rink in roughly two dozen sections numbered in the 100s; A View From My Seat's fan-submitted index runs from 101 to 129. These are the sideline, corner and end seats closest to the ice.
200 level
The upper level sits directly above, numbered from about 200 to 229 in the same index. Because the building is compact, even the 200 level is closer to the action than the upper deck of a big-league arena.
Suites and floor
There are 25 executive suites. For end-stage concerts, the floor is sold in numbered floor sections in front of the stage.
The arena does not publish a section-by-section map description on its site, so confirm the exact section on the seat map when you buy.
Best seats for Amerks hockey, Knighthawks lacrosse and concerts
Amerks hockey
The sideline sections of the 100 level are the best all-around seats: you follow the puck across the whole rink and see line changes at the benches. The first few rows behind the glass are close but show the far end through the dasher boards and glass; rows in the middle of the lower level give a cleaner view. Corner seats in the lower level are the value play, especially at the end where the Amerks shoot twice. The 200 level is cheaper and still close; its sideline rows give a near-broadcast angle. Fans are asked to stay on the walkway at the top of the lower level while play is live, under the arena's wait-for-the-whistle rule, so aisle seats see less traffic during action than you might expect.
Knighthawks lacrosse
Box lacrosse uses the same rink floor and boards, so the hockey advice holds. Lacrosse moves end to end fast, and sideline seats in the lower level keep both creases in view.
Concerts
Concert capacity runs from 10,877 for a standard end-stage setup to 12,906 in the round, and general admission can reach 14,000. For end stage, the floor gives the closest view and the lower-level sides near the stage the best raised angle. Seats facing the stage from the far end show the full production.
Seats to avoid
- Front rows in the lower corners at hockey: curved corner glass can distort the view.
- Sections beside or behind an end stage: partial views and missing screens.
- Top rows of the 200 level at the ends: the farthest seats in the room.
Blue Cross Arena parking and downtown access
Parking is in city garages and surface lots around the arena. The Civic Center Garage at 55 South Fitzhugh Street is the closest and connects to the arena by an underground tunnel, which is useful in a Rochester winter; the Amerks list it as the best accessible option, with elevator access. Court Street Municipal Lot 10, at Court and Exchange streets, is an outdoor option. Rates vary by event and operator.
- Arrive early: the arena recommends extra time for parking and the 2026 security screening.
- Accessible parking: in designated areas of the nearby garages and lots.
- Nearby: Stadium Journey points to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and breweries such as Fifth Frame and Swiftwater, and a Holiday Inn sits two blocks away.
Blue Cross Arena bag policy (2026) and entry rules
Since January 5, 2026, Blue Cross Arena enforces a clear bag policy for all events. Each guest may carry one clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches, or a one-gallon clear freezer bag, plus one small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Diaper bags are allowed when the child is present, and medically necessary bags are searched and tagged. Older guides that say any purse fitting under your seat is fine are out of date.
- Re-entry: not permitted once you exit.
- Screening: every guest is screened and subject to search.
- Smoking: smoking, vaping and e-cigarettes are banned inside.
- Doors: one hour before Amerks games.
Read the arena's bag policy before you go, since it was amended after launch and may change again.
Capacity and history since 1955
Blue Cross Arena holds 10,662 for hockey and lacrosse, 10,877 to 12,428 for end-stage concerts depending on the wrap, 12,906 in the round and 14,000 for general admission. The record crowd is 11,650, for Syracuse against St. Bonaventure on December 3, 2003.
Ground was broken in 1953, and the War Memorial opened on October 18, 1955, with a formal dedication on Memorial Day 1956. The NBA's Rochester Royals played here until 1957, and the building hosted the 1956 NBA All-Star Game. The Amerks arrived in 1956 and have never played anywhere else; they are the AHL's second-oldest franchise and have won six Calder Cups, the latest in 1996. A Rolling Stones show in 1965 was halted after about seven minutes. Expansion work began in 1996 and removed the old permanent stage at the south end, and the arena reopened as Blue Cross Arena in 1998. The City of Rochester owns the building; since August 1, 2018, the Buffalo Sabres organization has run it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blue Cross Arena the same as the War Memorial?
Yes. The building opened in 1955 as the Rochester Community War Memorial and was renamed Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial when it reopened after a rebuild in 1998.
What is the capacity of Blue Cross Arena?
It seats 10,662 for hockey and lacrosse, up to 12,906 for a concert in the round and 14,000 for general admission.
Where should I park for Blue Cross Arena?
The Civic Center Garage at 55 South Fitzhugh Street is closest and connects to the arena by tunnel. Court Street Municipal Lot 10 is an outdoor alternative.
Does Blue Cross Arena have a clear bag policy?
Yes. Since January 5, 2026, one clear bag up to 12 by 6 by 12 inches or a gallon freezer bag is allowed, plus a clutch up to 4.5 by 6.5 inches. Check the current policy before you go.
What are the best seats for a Rochester Americans game?
Mid-level rows in the lower-level sideline sections. The 200-level sideline rows are the value choice, and lower corners at the end where the Amerks shoot twice are a good middle ground.
Can I re-enter Blue Cross Arena?
No. Once you exit the arena, re-entry is not permitted.