Parking, bag policy, transit and history are on the main KeyBank Center guide.
Reading the KeyBank Center seating chart
The KeyBank Center seating chart has three seating rings: the 100 level (sections 100–123), the 200 level club (sections 200–226) and the 300 level (sections 300–327), with a ring of suites between the club and the upper deck. Center ice is section 105 on the bench side and 117 on the penalty-box side; above them, 207 and 218 center the club level and 306 and 320 center the 300 level. For a Buffalo Sabres game, the best seats are rows 13–20 of 104–106 and 116–118; the best value is the front rows of 305–307 and 319–321.
If your chart says HSBC Arena or First Niagara Center, it still works. The building opened as Marine Midland Arena in 1996, became HSBC Arena in 2000 and First Niagara Center in 2011, and has been KeyBank Center since 2016. Section numbers carried over through each change, and seat-view photos posted under the older names show the same seats.
- Closest: row 1, the Rinkside glass row, around the 100 level.
- Best balance: 105 and 117, middle rows.
- Raised with service: club sections 206–208 and 217–219.
- Best value: 306 and 320, the first few rows.
100 level, 200 club and 300 level: the layout
The arena's own site does not publish a downloadable seating map, so the layout below comes from RateYourSeats' Sabres and concert charts. TickPick's Sabres guide independently places the benches, penalty boxes and shoot-twice ends at the same sections, and the Sabres' A–Z guide confirms the three numbered levels with the club on 200.
100 level: sections 100–123
The lower bowl has 24 sections. Section 105 is center ice behind the benches. From there the numbers rise toward the Sabres' attacking end: 106 and 107 along the sideline, 108–114 around the end with 111 at its middle, 115–119 along the far sideline with 117 at center ice, then 120–123 into the other end, where 123 sits at the middle. Section 100 follows 123, and 101–104 return along the bench sideline to 105. On RateYourSeats' chart, with the bench side at the bottom, the numbers climb clockwise.
200 level club: sections 200–226
The club ring follows the same order. Section 207 sits at center ice above 105, 211–214 flank the Sabres' end, 218 is at center ice above 117, and 224–226 and 200–201 wrap the visitors' end. The ring has gaps at each end for boxes: RateYourSeats places the Studio Boxes at the end Buffalo attacks twice and seven Harbor Club Boxes (HBOX 1–7) above 200–201 and 224–226.
300 level: sections 300–327
The upper ring has 28 sections. Sections 305–306 sit over center ice on the bench side, 313 is at the middle of the Sabres' end, 320 is center ice opposite, and 327 is at the middle of the visitors' end, with 300 next to it.
Row numbers and where seat 1 sits
Seat numbering. Two guides agree. RateYourSeats says seat 1 is on your right as you face the ice, court or stage. TickPick says the lowest seat number in a section sits next to the adjacent lower-numbered section, so seat 1 in 101 is beside 100. In section 116, RateYourSeats puts seat 1 on the right-hand aisle, toward 115.
100-level rows. Rows are numbered from row 1 at the glass. Per RateYourSeats, most lower sections run rows 1–22 with the entry tunnel at row 19, while the end sections 109–113 behind the Sabres' net run deeper, to row 30. For hockey, the first row in 105, in front of the benches, is usually row 3, and RateYourSeats suggests rows 13–20 along the sidelines. TickPick warns that rows 2–7 often have the top of the glass in the sightline.
200-level rows. Club sections hold rows 1–7, entered from the top at row 7, per RateYourSeats. That shallow depth means every club seat is within a few rows of the rail.
300-level rows. Upper sections run about 11 to 14 rows, entered at row 3. RateYourSeats lists 300, 306 and 312 at 14 rows, 301, 303, 309, 315 and 323 at 13, and the center-ice sections 318 and 320 at 11.
Best seats for Sabres hockey
TickPick places the Sabres bench between sections 104 and 105, the visitors' bench between 105 and 106 and the penalty boxes in the first two rows of 117. RateYourSeats' chart draws the same positions. Buffalo shoots twice (in the first and third periods) at the net in front of 111; the visitors shoot twice toward 123.
- Pick: 105 and 117, rows 13–20, with 104, 106, 116 and 118 close behind.
- Club: 207 and 218 for center ice with in-seat service; the Sabres' A–Z guide says the KeyBank Club is open to 200-level club seat holders and suite holders at Sabres games.
- Behind the Buffalo attack: 109–113, the deepest lower sections, and the Studio Boxes above them.
- Value: 305–307 and 319–321. TickPick calls these upper center sections possibly the best vantage point in the building.
- Rinkside: row 1 of most lower sections. Close to the boards, but the far end flattens out.
- Think twice: rows 2–7 near the glass and the low rows behind the benches and penalty boxes, where glass, players and officials interrupt the view, per TickPick.
For Buffalo Bandits lacrosse, played on the same rink footprint, the hockey section advice carries over.
End-stage concerts and basketball
RateYourSeats' end-stage chart puts the stage at the 109–113 end. Six reserved floor sections, F1–F6, fill the floor: F1–F3 nearest the stage and F4–F6 behind them, with F1 and F4 in the center. RateYourSeats says the common reserved layout runs about 25 rows deep per floor section; many shows sell a general-admission floor or pit instead.
- Closed or limited: 109–113, 211–214 and 309–317 sit behind or beside the stage on the standard layout.
- Side views: 104–106 and 116–118 downstairs, or the club side sections near 208 and 217, which RateYourSeats recommends for concerts.
- Head-on: 100, 122 and 123, club 200 and 226, and upper 300 and 327 face the stage across the floor.
- First rows: RateYourSeats says row 8 is usually the first row for concerts in 108 and 114, the lower sections flanking the stage.
For basketball, including NCAA tournament games, RateYourSeats lists 105, 117, 207, 218, 306 and 320 as the midcourt sections, with the floor sections along the sidelines.
KeyBank Center seat views by level
- 100 level, rows 1–7: right at the glass; exciting, but the glass edge and benches interrupt the far end.
- 100 level, rows 8–22: the classic hockey angle, high enough to see passes develop across all three zones.
- 100 level end, rows 23–30: the back of the deep end sections, a straight-on look down the ice.
- 200 level club: seven rows on a shelf above the lower bowl, close and raised.
- 300 level, rows 1–4: a full overhead view over center ice.
- 300 level, top rows of the corners: the longest view in the building.
Accessible seating at KeyBank Center
The Sabres' A–Z guide states that accessible seats are available on all levels, with a companion seat for each accessible seat and room for up to three companions. TickPick adds that accessible rows sit at the top of most sections. The arena does not publish a section-by-section list online, so call Account Services, listed in the Sabres' A–Z guide, to match a wheelchair position to the section you want, and filter for accessible seats when you buy.
- Elevators: the Pavilion elevators stop at all levels, which matters for 300-level seats.
- Escalators: express escalators run from the 100 level to the 300 level.
- Assisted listening: devices and sensory kits are free at Guest Services with a deposit.
Frequently asked questions
How are seats numbered at KeyBank Center?
Seat 1 is on your right as you face the ice, next to the lower-numbered neighboring section, so seat 1 in 101 sits beside 100. RateYourSeats and TickPick agree. Rows are numbered from row 1 at the glass.
How many rows are in a KeyBank Center section?
Most 100-level sections run rows 1–22, and the end sections 109–113 reach row 30. Club sections on the 200 level have seven rows, and 300-level sections have 11 to 14, per RateYourSeats.
Is the KeyBank Center seating chart the same as HSBC Arena or First Niagara Center?
Yes. The arena was HSBC Arena from 2000 to 2011 and First Niagara Center from 2011 to 2016, and its section numbers did not change when it became KeyBank Center.
What is the view from the 300 level at KeyBank Center?
The front rows of 305–307 and 319–321 give a full center-ice view, and TickPick rates them among the best vantage points in the arena. The top rows of the corners are the most distant seats.
Where do the Sabres shoot twice?
At the net in front of section 111, per TickPick, with RateYourSeats marking 108–114 as that end. The visitors shoot twice toward section 123.
Where are the club seats at KeyBank Center?
On the 200 level, sections 200–226, seven rows each, with 207 and 218 at center ice. Studio Boxes and Harbor Club Boxes sit on the same level at the ends.