Vaccine Requirement is out in time for NCAA Tournament

If you are planning on going to the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in Buffalo, you will no longer be required to show proof of vaccination at The KeyBank Center.

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The NCAA March Madness basketball tournament is returning to Buffalo this year, with first-round games scheduled to take place at the KeyBank Center on March 17th and second-round games on March 19th.

This isn't the first time Buffalo has played host to the tournament.  Buffalo has been on the national college basketball radar six times since the year 2000, as they have played host to the tournament. I was actually at the then 'First Niagara Center' in 2014 as my UCONN Huskies took down St. Joesph's on the way to a national title. Somewhere there is a picture of me with my inside out, backwards rally cap on, as the overtime thriller started an incredible run for the team.

But, back to the present.  When the tournament starts this year, things will be similar to the last time around, as proof of a COVID vaccination will no longer be necessary to enter the KeyBank Center.  Earlier this week the venue announced that:

In Accordance with New York State and Erie County guidelines, KeyBank Center will no longer require proof of vaccination for entry into all events, concerts, and live sporting events, including home games for the Buffalo Sabres and Bandits.

The Sabres took to Twitter to share the news.

Their fellow KeyBank Center tenants did the same.

The vaccine mandate was put in place by the KeyBank Center on September 25th of 2021, and the Buffalo Bills home Highmark Stadium, followed suit the next day as all guests 12 and older were required to provide proof of at least one dose of a covid vaccine to attend any game or event.