Memorial Auditorium

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

An $8.7 million renovation took place after the 1970–71 inauguration of the Sabres and Braves franchises, making it a more suitable home for the NBA. The arena's roof was raised 24 feet to make room for an upper level that increased capacity to over 17,000 for basketball by 1971–72. After the 1974–75 hockey season, the city removed walls and aisles separating upper gold and red seating sections, raising the arena's capacity to over 18,000 for basketball. The Aud also hosted college basketball before the NBA arrived; on December 11, 1940, it hosted its first college basketball game when Canisius College played the University of Oregon. The first college basketball sellout crowd occurred in the 1946–1947 season when 11,029 spectators saw Canisius lose to Notre Dame.

In Their Own Story

The Aud's basketball history began long before the Braves arrived. College basketball was the arena's most popular sporting event before the NBA came to Buffalo. The rivalry among the 'Little Three' colleges—Niagara, Canisius, and St. Bonaventure—came to dominate the Auditorium's schedule. When the Braves debuted in 1970, the newly renovated Aud offered over 17,000 seats for basketball, with the upper level added during the $8.7 million renovation. The Braves played their home games on the same floor where college teams had battled for decades, with the arena's steep seating placing fans close to the action. After the Braves left for San Diego in 1978, the Aud continued hosting basketball events until its closure in 1996.

Reader's Guide

For fans attending Braves games at the Aud, the experience was defined by the arena's intimate layout. The original design seated 12,280 for ice hockey, with an additional 2,000-3,000 seats in the floor area for basketball. After the 1970–71 renovation, capacity grew to over 17,000 for basketball. The seating colors went orange, blue (originally grey), red and gold from top to bottom. The lower sections featured cushioned seats in the Red and Gold sections. The arena lacked luxury boxes and modern amenities, but the proximity to the court created an electric atmosphere. Fans entered through the main entrance beneath the 'Buffalo Memorial Auditorium' entablature, passing art deco flag holders and limestone eagles. The building was dedicated as a war memorial to those who had perished in World War I, adding a solemn dignity to the sports venue.

Did You Know?

• The Aud was built for $2.7 million and opened on October 14, 1940, with a dedication luncheon attended by 3,000 people including mayors of more than 60 local communities.
• The arena's first event was a rally for Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie on October 14, 1940.
• An $8.7 million renovation after the 1970–71 season raised the roof 24 feet to add an upper level, increasing basketball capacity to over 17,000.
• The Aud's first year attendance was 1.3 million spectators across events like auto shows, roller skating, circuses and dog shows.
• A time capsule was opened during the 'Farewell Buffalo Memorial Auditorium Ceremony' on June 30, 2009, just before the final pieces of the structure came down in early July 2009.