Overview

• Buffalo declined an opt-out in its Erie County agreement, keeping the team at KeyBank Center through September 2031.
• A third-party study cited by the team pegged 2023 economic impact at $694.2 million with $48.6 million in tax revenue and 3,822 jobs.
• KeyBank’s naming rights run through the 2035–36 season as the Sabres roll out a new audio system plus upgraded security and concessions after installing a new videoboard and roof last season.
• Erie County owns the building shell and the city owns the land while the team maintains the interior, with County Executive Mark Poloncarz having signaled interest in exiting the arena business.
• The Sabres say they are in early stages of a long-term arena plan, and reporting suggests any future new venue, if pursued, would likely be near the current site; separately, Alex Ovechkin is trending toward opening night availability, Marc McLaughlin will miss the rest of camp, and Karsen Dorwart has resumed on-ice work.