You might remember in 1996 hearing about the scoreboard at what was then known asMarine Midland Arena, falling and crashing down on the ice hours before the Sabres played the Boston Bruins. Luckily nobody was hurt, but this incident made headlines throughout the news. Now known as the HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation) Arena, it was constructed in 1996 in hopes of becoming Buffalo’s new entertainment facility. Minus that one mishap, it has been a success.Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 18,595
Architect: Ellerbe Becket
Web Site: hsbcarena.com
Phone: 716/855-4100
Anchor Tenants: Buffalo Sabres (NHL) / Buffalo Blizzard (NPSL)
Parking: Parking is available in the lot and ramp off both Perry Street and South Park Avenue.
Directions: One Seymour H. Knox III Plaza, Buffalo, NY 14203. From the North (including Canada): Take I-190 South. You may exit at either of two exits: Exit 5 (Louisiana Street): At the bottom of the exit turn left. Turn right onto Perry Street (1st light) or onto South Park Avenue (2nd light). Alternate: Exit 6 (Elm Street): As you exit 190 bear left to the ramp and turn right onto Seneca Street. Take Seneca Street to the first light and turn right onto Michigan Street. Take Michigan Street over the bridge. From the South, East, and West (via Thruway): Take Interstate 90 (Thruway) to Exit 53, which is I-190 North. You may exit at either of two exits: Exit 6 (Elm Street): As you exit 190, bear right to the ramp, and turn right onto Seneca Street. Take Seneca Street to the first light and turn right onto Michigan Street. Take Michigan Street over the bridge. Alternate: Exit 5 (Hamburg Street): As you exit 190, bear right to the ramp, and turn right onto Perry Street. Take Hamburg Street 2 blocks (approximately .5 miles), turn right onto South Park Avenue (2nd light). From the East: From Interstate 90 (Thruway) take Route 33 to Downtown Buffalo. Continue on Oak Street all the way to 190 South and exit immediately at Exit 5 (Louisiana Street). At the bottom of the exit, turn left. Turn right onto Perry Street (1st light) or onto South Park Avenue (2nd light). Alternate: From Interstate 90 (Thruway) take Route 33 to Downtown Buffalo. Continue on Oak Street all the way to Seneca Street and turn left. Take Seneca Street to the first light and turn right onto Michigan Street. Take Michigan Street over the bridge. From the South (Lakeshore): Take Route 5 over the Skyway. Exit onto Route 190 South. You may take either of two exits: Exit 5 (Louisiana Street): At the bottom of the exit turn left. Turn right onto Perry Street (1st light) or onto South Park Avenue (2nd light). Alternate: Exit 6 (Elm Street): As you exit 190 bear left to the ramp and turn right onto Seneca Street. Take Seneca Street to the first light and turn right onto Michigan Street. Take Michigan Street over the bridge. You will see the HSBC Arena to your right. Parking is available in the lot and ramp off both Perry Street and South Park Avenue.
History
You might remember in 1996 hearing about the scoreboard at what was then known as Marine Midland Arena, falling and crashing down on the ice hours before the Sabres played the Boston Bruins. Luckily nobody was hurt, but this incident made headlines throughout the news. Now known as the HSBC (Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation) Arena, it was constructed in 1996 in hopes of becoming Buffalo’s new entertainment facility. Minus that one mishap, it has been a success.
Home to the Buffalo Sabres, Major Indoor Lacrosse League’s Buffalo Bandits, the National Professional Soccer Leauge’s Buffalo Blizzard, and many concerts, the stunning HSBC Arena has accomplished its hopes to being Buffalo’s main entertainment center. With two public levels and two private levels, HSBC provides a public sports bar called Pepsi Headlines, an amazing food court, an 8,000-square foot team store, and the Harbor Club, a private facility that is supplied for premium seat holders.
What also makes this arena distinctive is that the main entrance is a grand foyer that is completely enclosed by glass.