Buffalo is hosting NCAA tournament games at KeyBank Center in March 2026, and if you're planning to visit, you're in for a treat. This city knows how to handle big sporting events, and downtown Buffalo is compact enough that you can walk to most places you'll want to go. Here's everything you need to know from someone who knows the area.

Getting to Buffalo

Flying in: Buffalo Niagara International Airport is about 20 minutes from downtown. You can grab an Uber or Lyft for around $25-35, or take the NFTA airport shuttle if you're on a budget. Most major carriers fly here, though you might connect through a hub like Chicago, Detroit, or Newark.

Driving: Buffalo sits right off I-90. From NYC, it's about a 6-hour drive. From Cleveland, you're looking at 3 hours. From Toronto, it's about 2 hours, though factor in extra time at the border. Parking downtown runs $15-30 depending on the garage and how close you want to be to KeyBank Center.

Train: Amtrak runs through Buffalo's Exchange Street Station, which is walkable to downtown hotels. The Lake Shore Limited connects to NYC and Chicago, though it's a long ride if you're coming from either coast.

Where to Stay

You'll want to be downtown, close to the action. KeyBank Center sits right in the heart of everything.

Closest to the arena: The Courtyard by Marriott is literally across the street. You can roll out of bed 20 minutes before tip-off if you really wanted to. The Westin has an indoor walkway to the arena, which is clutch during March when Buffalo weather can still be unpredictable.

Best value: Hampton Inn & Suites on Delaware is a solid choice. Free breakfast, clean rooms, and an easy walk to the arena. Embassy Suites is a bit farther but gives you that complimentary evening reception, which helps offset those tournament beer prices.

Something different: The Curtiss Hotel is a boutique spot with more personality than the chains. Their restaurant, 6 Oak, is excellent for a pre-game dinner.

Book early. Hotels jack up prices during March Madness, and the good ones fill up fast once the bracket is announced.

Getting Around Downtown

Here's the best part about Buffalo hosting at KeyBank Center: you can walk almost everywhere. The arena sits at the corner of downtown, with restaurants and bars spreading out in every direction within a half-mile radius.

If the weather is nasty, Uber and Lyft work well here, and rides within downtown rarely top $10. There's also the NFTA Metro Rail, which is free above ground through the downtown section.

Where to Eat

Buffalo takes its food seriously. You've got options for every budget and taste.

Pre-game spots near the arena:

Southern Tier Brewing (in HarborCenter, attached to KeyBank Center) - They make their own beer and canned cocktails in the Southern Tier Near ChQ Lake. Great IPA's and other micro brews, plus hearty bar food and lots of large TV's. Its literally across the street from Keybank.

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery (76 Pearl Street, 0.3 miles) - Local brewery with solid pub food. Their beer cheese soup is a Buffalo winter staple. Good atmosphere without being too loud.

Southern Junction (365 Connecticut St, Buffalo, NY 14213) - You will need to drive or uber from KeyBank but believe the hype! Its some of the best BBQ anywhere. No reservations needed, just get in line, point at your desired meats and take a seat!

Tappo Restaurant (338 Ellicott Street, 0.4 miles) - Italian small plates. Great for groups who want to share a bunch of stuff. The meatballs and gnocchi are solid choices.

You absolutely must try Buffalo wings while you're here:

Anchor Bar (1047 Main Street, 1.5 miles) - The birthplace of Buffalo wings. It's touristy, sure, but the wings are still good and you can say you went to the original. Take an Uber, it's not walkable from the arena.

Duff's Famous Wings (Various locations) - Locals argue between Anchor Bar and Duff's. Duff's has a location at 3651 Sheridan Drive that's been around forever. Their medium is genuinely spicy.

Gabriel's Gate (145 Allen Street, 1.2 miles) - My personal favorite. Smaller joint, crispier wings, and you can hit the Allen Street bars afterward.

Bar Bill Tavern (East Aurora and Williamsville) - If you've got a car and time, this is where many locals go for the best wings in the area. The beef on weck is also phenomenal.

Other Buffalo specialties you should try:

Beef on weck: Thin-sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll. Charlie the Butcher's (various locations) does it right, or grab one at the arena.

Sponge candy: A Buffalo thing, especially around the holidays, but you can find it year-round at places like Fowler's Chocolates or Watson's.

Where to Drink

Buffalo's bar scene is strong, and you'll find places packed with both locals and visitors during tournament time.

Right near KeyBank Center:

Buffalo Iron Works (49 Illinois St Buffalo, NY) - Multiple levels, live music, big crowds. This becomes the unofficial March Madness headquarters for visiting fans. Gets wild after upset wins.

Helium Comedy Club (30 Mississippi Street, in HarborCenter) - If you want to catch a show between games, they book solid comedians. The bar area is nice even if you're not seeing a show.

Southern Tier Brewing Company (140 Main Street) - Taproom for one of Western New York's best breweries. Good beer selection, more laid-back than the sports bars.

Venture a bit farther:

Allen Street (about 1 mile from arena) - This is Buffalo's entertainment strip. Lots of bars, all walkable from each other. Colter Bay for cheap drinks and pool tables, Fugazi for craft cocktails, Allen Burger Venture if you need late-night food.

Chippewa Street - The other nightlife area, more club-oriented. Not really my scene during March Madness, but if you're younger and want to dance after the games, this is where you'd go.

Larkinville (about 1.5 miles) - Up-and-coming area with places like Buffalo Distilling Company and ABV. Better for a low-key drink than the chaos near the arena.

Resurgence Brewing (55 Chicago Street) - Excellent local brewery in a converted warehouse. Great beer, good vibes, and usually has food trucks outside.

How to Get Tickets

Official NCAA channels: Your safest bet is through the NCAA's official ticket partner. When Buffalo hosts, tickets usually go on sale after Selection Sunday once the matchups are confirmed. First and second-round sessions are sold as packages (both games in a session).

Secondary market: StubHub, Ticketmaster resale, SeatGeek all work. Prices fluctuate wildly based on matchups. If a nearby school makes it (Syracuse, Pitt, UConn), prices jump. If it's two teams with no regional following, you might find deals day-of-game.

Day of game: You can sometimes find tickets outside the arena, but be careful with scalpers. Stick to verified mobile tickets if you're buying from someone in person.

Price expectations: Lower-level seats for good matchups run $150-300+ per session. Upper deck can be $60-120. If you just want to be there and don't care about sight lines, upper corners are your cheapest option.

What to Know About KeyBank Center

The arena holds about 19,000 for basketball. Sight lines are good from most seats, though corners of the upper deck can feel far away.

Food inside is standard arena fare, but they do have Sahlen's hot dogs (a Buffalo brand) and sometimes local beer options. Expect to pay arena prices ($15+ beers, $10+ for most food items).

Security moves pretty fast, but get there 30-45 minutes early for tournament games. The crowds are bigger than regular Sabres games, and everyone tries to arrive at once.

Bag policy is strict: small clutches only, or clear bags. Check the KeyBank Center website before you go.

Buffalo in March: What to Expect

Let's be honest: Buffalo in March can still be cold. You might see snow, you might see 50 degrees and sunny. Pack layers. Bring a real coat and comfortable walking shoes that can handle wet pavement.

The upside? Hotel and restaurant prices haven't hit summer tourism season yet, and the city is energized by having tournament games. There's a genuine excitement that comes with hosting March Madness.

The Bottom Line

Buffalo is an underrated tournament host city. You can walk everywhere, the food is legitimately good, the bars are fun without being overpriced (by major city standards), and locals are genuinely friendly to visitors. Just dress for unpredictable weather, book your hotel early, and embrace the wings-and-beer culture.

See you at KeyBank Center in March 2026. Go whoever-you're-rooting-for!

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