Visit Buffalo welcomed guests of the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft to Buffalo in June
The NHL Draft, held June 26 and 27 at KeyBank Center, brought 10,000 people and an estimated $3.8 million in economic impact to downtown Buffalo.
BUFFALO, N.Y. – In June 2026, Visit Buffalo welcomed about 10,000 people to the City of Buffalo for the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft at KeyBank Center.
Many of visitors were from Canada, due to the Toronto Maple Leafs taking the first pick in round one of the draft on June 26.
Over two dozen Visit Buffalo team members and street team volunteers spent the afternoon on Perry Street, helping to coordinate giveaways and activities. The team was wearing special limited edition Visit Buffalo fan jerseys and holding branded “Ask Me” signs, and the Visit Buffalo Mobile Visitor Center was parked on Perry Street to share information on where to eat and what to do in Buffalo.
The event, which encompasses round 1 through 7 of the 2026 NHL draft, brought an estimated $3.8 million in economic impact to Buffalo, according to a report by the Buffalo Sports Commission.
The Buffalo Sports Commission, the subsidiary of Visit Buffalo that focuses on promoting the region as a premier sports tourism destination, was instrumental in bringing the 2026 NHL Draft to Buffalo, said Visit Buffalo President and CEO Patrick Kaler.
“We’re so proud to help bring the NHL Draft back to Buffalo,” Kaler said. “Buffalo is a hockey town and being freshly off of the Buffalo Sabres making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we’re excited to keep that momentum moving forward.”
Members of the commission worked with the Buffalo Sabres organization and NHL officials to bring the NHL Draft to Buffalo. KeyBank Center was the first arena to host the NHL Draft’s new “decentralized format”, where team executives, management, and scouts remain in their home cities and conduct business via live video connections. 2026 marked the fourth time Buffalo has hosted the draft, previously hosting it in 2016, 1998, and 1991.
The Buffalo Sports Commission is a nonprofit subsidiary of Visit Buffalo dedicated to promoting the region as a premier destination for amateur athletic tournaments, collegiate sporting championships, and youth sports events.
Visit Buffalo is the destination marketing organization for Buffalo and Erie County, promoting
the region for tourism, meetings and sporting events. By showcasing the area’s culture,
attractions and hospitality, Visit Buffalo drives visitor spending and supports economic growth.
