M&T Bank Strengthens Commitment to Connecticut with Expanded UConn Partnership and Gampel Pavilion Naming Rights

The multimillion-dollar partnership includes exclusive university-wide banking sponsorship and co-branded cards for bank customers.

Rhea-AI Summary

M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) expanded its University of Connecticut partnership with multi-year naming rights for the university's Gampel Pavilion basketball arena. The venue will be renamed M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion. The broader multimillion-dollar partnership will support UConn's academic and athletic priorities, alongside Connecticut-focused advertising, retail bank promotions and community engagements.

The agreement includes exclusive university-wide banking sponsorship across all campuses and schools, official banking partner status for the UConn Huskies, and co-branded affinity credit and commercial cards for bank customers. It also includes support for student-athletes' name, image and likeness opportunities and sponsorship of university-wide events. The agreement builds on the bank's existing relationship with UConn and UConn Athletics.

Positive

• Minor pointUConn agreement provides multi-year naming rights for M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion.
• Minor pointBanking sponsorship provides university-wide exclusivity across all UConn campuses and schools.

Negative

• Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Multimillion-dollar partnership includes investment in academic and athletic priorities, advertising, promotions and community engagements.

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UConn basketball venue to become 'M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion'
under new, multi-year agreement 

STORRS, Conn., Oct. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) today announced the expansion of their strategic partnership with the University of Connecticut. As the official bank of the University and the UConn Huskies, the evolution of the partnership will include multi-year naming rights for Gampel Pavilion, one of the most iconic venues in college athletics. Under the agreement, the arena will be renamed as M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion.

With more than 100 branches in Connecticut, M&T Bank has long prioritized strengthening the communities it serves. This collaboration with UConn builds on that legacy, reflecting M&T's commitment to education and community investment, both in Connecticut and across its footprint.

"This partnership with UConn represents more than a sponsorship and a name on a building, it's a shared commitment to the future of education, economic mobility and civic leadership across our region. Gampel Pavilion is one of the most recognizable and meaningful gathering places in Connecticut, and M&T is honored to now be a part of the legacy made possible by Harry A. Gampel," said Michael Weinstock, M&T Bank's Regional President in Hartford. "For generations, Gampel has been home to some of the defining moments in UConn athletics and a source of connection and pride for communities across Connecticut. We're proud to stand alongside Connecticut's flagship university, and one of its most respected institutions, to invest in programs and in an arena that create lasting impact for students, families and communities."

"Our partnership with M&T Bank has had an immediate and lasting impact across all of our campuses and communities. This agreement continues and enhances that relationship, benefitting UConn and the state for many years to come," said University of Connecticut president Radenka Maric. "Thanks to the support and investment of the General Assembly and Gov. Ned Lamont, the improvements currently underway at Gampel Pavilion will bring that iconic venue into the next generation and provide an unparalleled fan experience. M&T Bank's commitment to UConn builds on those investments and will also help expand educational opportunities and promote holistic student success across our institution."

"Part of what makes UConn the Basketball Capital of the World is the incredible home court advantage our teams enjoy while playing on campus," said UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict. "So many great memories and moments have been made over the last 36 years in the arena that Harry A. Gampel originally made possible. We are grateful to our partners at M&T Bank for their ongoing commitment to our mission for excellence and thrilled to attach M&T Bank's name to our basketball home with the introduction of M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion. In this ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, the investment from our state and support from M&T Bank will help ensure the continued success that we have all enjoyed over the years."

In addition to naming rights at Gampel Pavilion, the broader multimillion-dollar partnership will support academic and athletic priorities aligned with UConn's mission as a renowned public research university with regional and national reach. This will help UConn expand educational opportunities, invest in student achievement and strengthen the University's impact across Connecticut and New England. The partnership will also include investments in Connecticut-focused, co-branded activations and community engagements, which will include retail bank promotions, paid advertising, digital media inclusion and other initiatives. 

As the Official Bank of UConn, M&T Bank will receive several exclusive rights, including:

• Exclusive university-wide banking sponsorship, including all campuses and schools
• Designation as the official banking partner of the UConn Huskies
• Support for student-athletes in Name, Image and Likeness opportunities
• Sponsorship of key university-wide events
• Co-branded affinity credit card and commercial cards for customers of the bank

The partnership builds on M&T Bank's broader banking relationship with UConn and UConn Athletics and reflects a shared commitment to Connecticut, higher education, athletics and community engagement.

Since opening in 1990, Gampel Pavilion has served as the home of UConn basketball and a central gathering place for the university community. The arena has hosted championship teams, nationally televised matchups, commencement ceremonies, concerts, community events and remains one of the most storied facilities in collegiate athletics.

M&T Bank has maintained a leading presence in Connecticut serving consumers, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. The bank has consistently invested in initiatives focused on economic development, education, neighborhood revitalization and financial empowerment throughout the state's communities.

Additional Quotes:

"For several decades, Gampel Pavilion has been home to two of the best basketball programs in the world," said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. "The state investments we've recently released to commence a long-overdue renovation of this arena will ensure that our UConn Huskies have access to the first-class facilities that support these athletic programs and the entire university for many decades to come. UConn is one of the best schools in the country, and these improvements on the Storrs campus support our overall commitment to strengthening Connecticut's higher education system."

"One of the foundations of a successful athletic program is the ability to get buy-in and investments from partners that directly benefit from UConn and UConn Athletics," said UConn head women's basketball coach Geno Auriemma. "In Connecticut, M&T Bank has really stepped up in a big way. These are the kinds of things that allow us to not just compete, but to win at the highest levels. I'm excited about it, I think it is going to be a tremendous partnership for a long time. I hope it's an example to others to want to join."

"It's never been more critical for our success to have incredible partnerships like M&T Bank," said UConn head men's basketball coach Dan Hurley. "Their support and investment into our programs will help fuel the championship-level efforts that Gampel Pavilion has been known for over the last 36 years."

About M&T Bank
M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services with a branch and ATM network spanning the eastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information on M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com.

M&T Media Contacts:
Kathy Curran
(617) 251-0274
Kcurran1@mtb.com

Deanna Meservey
(617) 290-1155
Dmeservey@mtb.com

National and Trade Media:
Frank Lentini
(929) 651-0447
Flentini@mtb.com

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SOURCE M&T Bank

FAQ

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What will Gampel Pavilion be called under M&T Bank's UConn agreement?

Gampel Pavilion will be renamed M&T Bank Center at Gampel Pavilion under a multi-year naming-rights agreement. The naming rights form part of M&T Bank's expanded partnership with the University of Connecticut.