Buffalo Sabres Exploring Potential Upgrades to KeyBank Center

Preliminary talks underway with architectural firm behind New Highmark Stadium project

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Buffalo Sabres have begun early discussions about potential upgrades to KeyBank Center, the team's home arena. According to the team's president of business operations, Pete Guelli, the 30-year-old arena has not undergone any major renovations since it opened and is the oldest facility in the NHL that has not been upgraded. The Sabres have started preliminary talks with the architectural firm Populous, which is also working on the new Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills.

Why it matters

KeyBank Center is a critical part of Buffalo's sports and entertainment landscape, hosting over 175 events in 2025. As the city's sports teams and facilities continue to evolve, ensuring KeyBank Center remains modern and competitive is important for the Sabres, their fans, and the broader community.

The details

The Sabres are in the early stages of exploring potential upgrades to KeyBank Center, which has not seen any major renovations since opening 30 years ago. The team has begun preliminary discussions with Populous, the architectural firm behind the new Highmark Stadium being built for the Buffalo Bills. While no specific upgrade plans have been announced, the Sabres are looking to modernize the arena and bring it up to par with other NHL facilities.

  • KeyBank Center opened in 1996.
  • The arena has not undergone any major renovations in its 30-year history.
  • The Sabres began preliminary talks about potential upgrades in early 2026.

The players

Pete Guelli

President of business operations for the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills.

Populous

The architectural firm overseeing the construction of the new Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills.

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What they’re saying

“There's a lot of preparation that goes into even putting yourself in a position to undergo this type of project. So that's what we've been doing. We've been prepping.”

— Pete Guelli, President of business operations for the Sabres and Bills (wyrk.com)

What’s next

The Sabres will continue their preliminary discussions with Populous to explore the scope and cost of potential upgrades to KeyBank Center. No timeline has been set for when any actual renovation work could begin.

The takeaway

As the Buffalo sports landscape evolves with the construction of the new Highmark Stadium, the Sabres are taking steps to ensure KeyBank Center remains a modern, competitive venue that can continue serving as a hub for the city's sports and entertainment activities.