Your Guide to UB Alumni Arena Gym Hours and Recreational Opportunities
Playing a sport is great for your health, as it keeps you active, improves your heart health, and reduces stress. The University at Buffalo (UB) offers a wide range of recreational facilities and programs designed to cater to the diverse needs of its students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the general community. Among these facilities, Alumni Arena stands out as a hub of excitement, excellence, and athleticism. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the UB Alumni Arena, its gym hours, and the various recreational opportunities available to members.
Introduction to UB Recreation
UB Recreation provides countless opportunities at the University at Buffalo. With a UB Recreation membership, you'll gain access to a wide range of programs and services designed to cater to your every recreational need. UB Recreation is offering complementary hours to UB Faculty and Staff. Monday - Friday from 7AM-8AM* & 12PM-1PM, UB Faculty and Staff can enjoy access to: Alumni Arena Indoor Jogging Track, Swimming Pool, Racquetball Court (reservation required), Locker Room, Sauna & Steam Room. *Morning Open REC: Swim times vary, so UB Faculty and Staff will be able to access morning Open REC: Swim at Alumni Arena on weekdays.
Membership and Facility Access
As a graduate/professional student, your Recreation Membership will include access to Recreation Facilities on North and South Campus. You will need to purchase a membership and provide your UB Card to gain access to these benefits.
Membership Rates:
- UB Undergraduate Student: FREE (Month, Semester, and Annual Permit)
- UB Graduate/Professional Student: \$27 (Semester Permit)
- UB Faculty and Staff: \$25 (Month Permit), \$85 (Semester Permit), \$195 (Annual Permit)
- Community: \$35 (Month Permit), \$105 (Semester Permit), \$230 (Annual Permit)
Undergraduate/Graduate/Professional Students must currently be enrolled in courses at UB. Faculty and Staff must currently be employed at UB.
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Once you've purchased your Recreation Membership, you'll have the opportunity to secure a parking permit by contacting the UB Parking & Transportation office. They will assist you in obtaining your parking permit, ensuring a seamless experience.
Permit Costs:
- \$10 - 3 Months
- \$20 - 1 Calendar Year
Where Can You Park? Your Recreation Parking Permit will give you access to park in the following campus lots: North Campus South Campus Arena Lot Clark Lot Diefendorf Lot
Alumni Arena: A World-Class Facility
Alumni Arena is the world-class home for many of UB Athletics's thrilling Division I events. This top-notch facility houses the university's NCAA Division I sports teams and faculty. Enjoy invigorating fitness activities, intense men's and women's Mid-American Conference basketball competitions, and inspiring Distinguished Speakers Series lectures. It's also the go-to venue for large-scale events, including the grand commencement ceremony.
Alumni Arena was built in two phases, in 1982 and 1985. The addition brought a gymnastic area, activity rooms, locker rooms, and racquetball courts, among other features. Inside, you'll find a 6,000-seat gym for basketball, wrestling, and volleyball, which also serves as the venue for commencements and talks by prominent speakers. Not to forget the amazing 50-meter Olympic pool with a capacity of 1.2 million gallons. And let's not overlook its role as the home of the Department of Theatre and Dance. With so much to offer, Alumni Arena is a must-see destination for sports, education, and entertainment!
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Key Features of Alumni Arena
- Main Gym: The Main Gym is located at 1 Alumni Arena. It boasts the largest "free-floating" US hardwood floor, with basketball, volleyball, and badminton courts surrounded by a 200-meter track. Renovated, it seats 6,783 spectators. The Main Gym also hosts Recreational Intramural Sports Leagues each semester, including basketball and volleyball.
- Fitness Center: The Fitness Center w/ Cardio Deck is located at 175 Alumni Arena. Enjoy comprehensive workouts, fusing strength and cardio for improved health. Enhance heart health on our Cardio Deck and build strength with top-notch equipment, bringing you closer to your fitness goals.
- Indoor Jogging Track: The 1/6-mile indoor jogging track at Alumni Arena is located on the 2nd Floor. Walk, jog, or sprint your way to wellness, rain or shine. Every lap is a step to a healthier you.
- Pool: The Alumni Arena Pool is located at 86 Alumni Arena. The Alumni Arena Pool hosts UB's swimming and diving teams, rivaling top East facilities with its versatile features, including movable bulkheads, multiple springboards and diving platforms, handicap accessibility, and seating for 1,000 spectators. Open REC: Swim is available daily year-round. The pool measures 50m x 25yd and holds 700,000 gallons of water.
- Racquetball Courts: The Racquetball Courts are located inside Alumni Arena on the first floor. Reservations can be made starting at 10:00am. To make a reservation, call Member Services no earlier than two days prior to your desired date/time. Contact Recreation Member Services.
- Spinning Room: The Spinning Room is located at 145 Alumni Arena. Ride cutting-edge bikes with adjustable resistance, guided by expert instructors through immersive virtual landscapes. Join a supportive rider community for an empowering journey.
- Dance Studio: The Dance Studio is located at 75 Alumni Arena. With special flooring, mirrors, and an inspiring atmosphere, it's the perfect place for all skill levels. Join us for dance or lively Zumba and Fitness programs - where movement becomes art.
- Ed Wright Practice Facility ("Triple Gym"): The "Triple Gym," or Ed Wright Practice Facility, is our hub for Open REC: Basketball and Volleyball, as well as REC courses. Intramural Sports holds basketball leagues and exciting tournaments here each semester, featuring three full-court basketball courts.
- Locker Rooms: The Men's and Women's Locker Rooms are located inside Alumni Arena on the ground floor. Locker Rooms are equipped with showers, lockers, bathrooms, a steam room and a sauna. Locker Rentals Alumni Arena (North Campus) Semester* (1 Academic Semester) Annual (1 Calendar Year) \$20 \$40 You must have a valid recreation membership or be a current UB Student to rent a locker. Any lock in our daily locker section that is left on overnight will be removed and contents discarded.
Bulls Team Shop
The Bulls Team Shop is a premier athletic retail destination situated on the first floor at 130 Alumni Arena, conveniently positioned across from the Fitness Center. For all your Buffalo Bulls merchandise needs, including branded shorts, t-shirts, sweats, hats, and more, we invite you to visit us today and acquire your UB Bulls gear.
Alumni Arena Member Services
The Alumni Arena Member Services office is located at 175 Alumni Arena. Whether you're a student, faculty, staff, or a recreation member, our friendly staff is here to assist you with any questions about our programming and services. From fitness classes to membership benefits, we're your dedicated resource for all things recreation-related.
Spring 2026 Hours of Operation
The hours of operation for Alumni Arena during the Spring 2026 semester (Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 - Tuesday, May 5th, 2026) are as follows:
- Building Hours (Member Services):
- Monday - Friday: 8am - 7:45pm
- Saturday: CLOSED
- Sunday: CLOSED
The Bulls Team Shop is open for UB Athletics home games that take place inside Alumni Arena. Check the UB Events Calendar for extended hours of operation.
Regular Building Hours (Member Services):
- Monday - Thursday: 6am - 10:45pm
- Friday: 6am - 9:45pm
- Saturday - Sunday: 11am - 4:45pm
Hours are subject to change. For real-time updates, please visit the UB Events Calendar.
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Closures
Recreation services, facilities, and programs will be closed on the following dates:
- MLK, Jr. Day: 1/19/26
- Graduation Weekend: 5/14/26 - 5/17/26 (Only Alumni Arena is closed for graduation weekend; Clark Hall is open.)
- Memorial Day: 5/25/26
- Juneteenth: 6/19/26
- Independence Day: 7/4/26
- Labor Day: 9/7/26
- Thanksgiving Day & Black Friday: 11/26/26-11/27/27
- Winter Recess: 12/23/26 - 1/1/27
Break Hours
Reduced hours of operation will be in effect during the following breaks:
- Winter Break: 12/9/25 - 1/20/26
- Spring Break: 3/14/26 - 3/22/26
- Summer Break: 5/6/26 - 8/23/26
- Thanksgiving Break: 11/25/26 - 11/29/26
Open Recreation and Sports
UB Recreation offers "Open REC: Sports" for inclusive and laid-back sport activities welcoming individuals of all skill levels and backgrounds. These sport activities, included with your Recreation membership, prioritize enjoyment and physical activity over fierce competition.
With various Open REC Sports offered at different times and locations throughout the day, there are plenty of opportunities to join in the fun.
Open REC: Indoor Jogging Track and Open REC: Swimming hours change frequently due to Division I sports teams schedules. Please view our Alumni Arena February 2026 Closures and March 2026 Closures for a heads up on those changes.
Open REC: Tennis and Pickleball will reopen mid-March, 2026.
Other Recreational Opportunities
In addition to Alumni Arena, UB offers various other recreational facilities and programs:
Clark Hall (South Campus)
Clark Hall is the South Campus's athletic and recreation facility. It contains gymnasiums, handball courts, a swimming pool, a weight room, men's and women's locker facilities and offices. Current activities include intramural, club, and summer sports programs.
Key Features of Clark Hall:
- Ab Room (Room 210)
- Cardio Room (Room 101)
- CPR Room (Room 105)
- Dance Studio (Room 117)
- Fitness Center (Room 203)
- Locker Rooms
- Main Gym (Room 204)
- Member Services (Room 113)
- Pool (Room 108)
- Small Gym (Room 206)
Hours change on a weekly basis, please check the UB Events Calendar for real-time schedule.
RESFIT Program
RESFIT is a program designed to help students get fit where they live. At your residence hall fitness center, you’ll find:
- Treadmills
- Cross-trainers
- Steppers
- Stationary bikes
- Rowing machines
- Free weights
Classes (spinning, strength, cardio, yoga and others) Group Fitness Sign up for classes on UBLinked. Walk-ins welcome. Location: Richmond Aerobics Room 271 Classes are first come, first served and space is limited. All classes are free to students with valid ID to swipe-in.
Intramural Sports
Our Intramural Sports Leagues are your gateway to embracing the thrill of playing hard and pushing your limits. As you battle it out with like-minded students, you'll discover the immense benefits of healthy competition. It's not just about winning or losing; it's about the journey of self-improvement, resilience, and determination.
Current Sports
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Indoor Soccer
- Outdoor Soccer
- Flag Football
Additional Information
- Facility Space Request: There are a variety of recreational facility spaces that you can reserve at UB on North and South campus, including indoor and outdoor space.
- CPR Training: The American Heart Association maintains a training center through a partnership with the University at Buffalo, Recreation Department. CPR, AED and First Aid Training is available to the UB community and the general public.
- Policies & Procedures: We're here to create an extraordinary experience for our students, faculty, staff, and community, all while keeping the vibes friendly and professional. Take a peek at our thorough yet essential policies and procedures to stay in the loop about our operations and expectations.
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