The UConn basketball court will be renamed "M& T Bank Center within Gampel Pavilion" under a new multi-year agreement.

Storrs, Connecticut, October 21, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- M&T Bank ( NYSE : MTB ) today announced an expansion of its strategic partnership with the University of Connecticut. As the official bank of the university and UConn Huskies, this partnership upgrade will include a multi-year naming rights agreement for Gampel Pavilion. This venue is one of the most iconic in university sports. According to the agreement, the arena will be renamed "M&T Bank at Gampel Pavilion".

M&T Bank has over 100 branches in Connecticut and has long made it a priority to strengthen its services to the community. The bank stated that its collaboration with UConn is built on this tradition and reflects M&T's commitment to investing in education and the community, covering Connecticut as well as other areas within its business territory.

M&T Bank's President for the Hartford region, Michael Weinstock, stated: "This collaboration with UConn is not just about sponsorship, nor is it merely about naming a building; it reflects our joint commitment to the future of education in this region, economic mobility, and civic leadership. Gampel Pavilion is one of the most renowned and meaningful gathering places in Connecticut, and M&T is honored to be a part of this legacy that Gampel has facilitated."

He also stated, "For generations, Gampel has been the site of some iconic moments in the sports history of UConn, and it is also a source that connects communities across Connecticut and inspires a sense of pride. We are proud to collaborate with Connecticut's flagship university, one of the most respected institutions in the state, to invest in projects and facilities that will have a lasting impact on students, families, and communities."

The president of the University of Connecticut, Radenka Maric, stated: “Our collaboration with M&T Bank has had a direct and lasting impact on all of our campuses and communities. This agreement continues and deepens this relationship, and will benefit UConn and the state of Connecticut for many years to come.”

She stated, "Thanks to the support and investment from the State Legislature and Governor Ned Lamont, the improvement project currently underway in Gampel Pavilion will bring this iconic venue into the next generation and provide an unparalleled fan experience. The commitment of M&T Bank to UConn is built upon these investments and will also help to expand educational opportunities and promote the overall success of students throughout the school."

UConn Sports Director David Benedict stated: "The reason UConn is known as the 'Basketball Capital of the World' is, in part, due to the incredible home advantage our teams enjoy when playing at their campus arenas. Over the past 36 years, this venue, which was initially built with the support of Harry A and Gampel, has witnessed many great memories and moments. We are grateful for the continuous support of M&T Bank as our partner in our pursuit of excellence, and we are also delighted that with the inauguration of 'M& T Bank Center' within the Gampel Pavilion, the name of M&T Bank will now be associated with our basketball home courts."

He also stated, "In the ever-changing environment of college sports, the investment from the state government and the support from M&T Bank will help to ensure the continued success we have shared for many years."

In addition to the naming rights for Gampel Pavilion, this broader multi-million dollar partnership will also support academic and athletic initiatives that are in line with the mission of UConn. UConn is a renowned public research university with influence both regionally and nationally. This collaboration will help UConn to expand educational opportunities, invest in student achievements, and enhance the school's impact in Connecticut and the New England region.

The collaboration will also include joint brand initiatives and community engagement projects targeting Connecticut, which will encompass retail bank promotions, paid advertising, digital media exposure, and other measures.

As the official bank for UConn, M&T Bank will receive a number of exclusive benefits, including:

• Exclusive bank sponsorship rights for all campuses and colleges across the university
• UConn Huskies Official Bank Partner Title
• Support opportunities for student athletes in terms of name, image, and portrait rights ( Name, Image, and, Likeness ).
• Sponsor important events throughout the entire school.
• Launch a co-branded affinity credit card and business card for customers in this segment

This cooperation is built on the broader banking relationships between M&T Bank and UConn as well as UConn Athletics, and it also reflects the mutual commitment of both parties to Connecticut, higher education, sports, and community engagement.

Since its inauguration in 1990, Gampel Pavilion has always been the home court of the UConn basketball team and also an important gathering place for the university community. This venue has hosted championship games, nationally televised events, graduation ceremonies, concerts, and community activities, and it remains one of the most legendary facilities in university sports.

M&T Bank stated that it has long maintained a leading position in Connecticut, providing services to consumers, businesses, municipal institutions, and non-profit organizations. The bank continues to invest in projects focused on economic development, education, community revitalization, and financial empowerment, covering communities throughout the state.

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Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont stated: "For decades, Gampel Pavilion has been the home of two of the best basketball programs in the world. The state investment we recently allocated has initiated the much-needed renovation of this arena, which will ensure that our UConn Huskies will have first-class facilities to support these sports and the entire university for the coming decades. UConn is one of the best schools in the nation, and these improvements at the Storrs campus also support our overall commitment to strengthening Connecticut's higher education system."

UConn, the head coach of the women's basketball team, Geno Auriemma said: "One of the foundations of a successful sports project is being able to gain the recognition and investment of those partners who directly benefit from UConn and UConn Athletics. In Connecticut, M&T Bank has indeed stepped up with great commitment. It is these factors that not only allow us to compete but also to win at the highest level. I am excited about this, and I believe this will be an excellent partnership that will last for a long time. I hope this can also serve as a model to attract others to join in."

UConn The head coach of the men's basketball team, Dan Hurley, stated: "A cooperative relationship as outstanding as that with M&T Bank has never been so important to our success as it is now. Their support and investment in our project will help drive the championship-level efforts for which Gampel Pavilion has been renowned for the past 36 years."

About M&T Bank

M&T T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York State. M&T's main banking subsidiary, M&T T Bank, provides banking products and services through branches and a network ATM that covers the eastern United States, from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided by M&T's affiliated company Wilmington Trust as well as M&T T Bank in certain markets in the United States and overseas.