Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, commonly called the Nassau Coliseum, is a historic multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York, on Long Island. Set within Nassau County’s central Hub area near Hofstra University, the building has long been one of the region’s best-known venues for sports, concerts, family shows, and large community gatherings.

Opened on February 11, 1972, on land associated with the former Mitchel Field area, the arena was named in honor of Nassau County veterans. Over the decades it became closely tied to the identity of Nassau County and Long Island, serving as both a professional sports venue and a gathering place for graduations, trade shows, charity events, and major touring performances.

For visitors today, the Coliseum is best thought of as an event-based venue rather than a regular daily attraction. Schedules, box-office availability, parking procedures, and entry policies can vary by event and by season, so it is smart to check ahead before making a special trip.

The arena quickly gained prominence as the longtime home of the New York Islanders, who began play in 1972 and built one of hockey’s great dynasties here, including four straight Stanley Cup championships from 1980 through 1983. It also served as home court for the New York Nets during the franchise’s ABA years and early NBA era, helping establish the Coliseum as a major Long Island sports address.

Originally designed by Welton Becket and Associates, the building adopted a low-slung modernist profile that became instantly recognizable to generations of fans. A major 2015-2017 renovation modernized seating, suites, concourses, concessions, and restrooms while preserving the arena’s familiar footprint; the updated venue reopened in 2017 with a Billy Joel concert.

Since then, the Coliseum has continued to host a mix of sports and entertainment, even as management arrangements, tenant lineups, and long-term plans for the surrounding Nassau Hub have evolved. Its role in the region remains significant, but the pace of events and available visitor services can shift over time, making advance planning especially important.

Notable Events and Tenants:

Sports:
- New York Islanders: The Nassau Coliseum served as the Islanders’ home arena from their inaugural 1972 season until 2015, with later return stretches for selected games and playoff runs before the team’s permanent move to UBS Arena.
- New York Nets: The Nets played here during their ABA years and early NBA period before relocating to New Jersey in 1977.
- Other Sports: Over the years, the venue has also hosted G League basketball, indoor lacrosse, college hoops, boxing, MMA, ice shows, and other special sporting events.
Concerts and Entertainment:
- The Nassau Coliseum has welcomed some of the biggest names in music, including Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. Joel, a Long Island native, has long had a particularly strong connection to the venue.
- Beyond concerts, the arena has staged family shows, comedy, professional wrestling, the Harlem Globetrotters, and touring productions such as Disney on Ice.
Community and Special Events:
- The Coliseum has also been used for trade shows, graduations, political gatherings, and charity events, reinforcing its longstanding role as a versatile public venue for Nassau County and the wider Long Island region.

Even when you are not attending an event, the building remains a recognizable Long Island landmark for sports fans and concertgoers. The site is also within easy reach of central Nassau destinations such as Museum Row, Eisenhower Park, and the shopping and dining areas of Uniondale, Garden City, and Westbury.

Vicinity of the Coliseum

Visitor Tips

Most visits revolve around ticketed events; regular interior touring is not typical.
Parking is usually available in large on-site surface lots, but fees, opening times, and traffic patterns vary by event.
Rail travelers often connect via the LIRR and then continue by NICE bus, taxi, or rideshare to Uniondale. Service details may change, so check current schedules before traveling.
Security screening, bag rules, and permitted items can differ from one event to another.
Accessible parking, entrances, and seating are generally available, but it is best to confirm event-specific arrangements in advance.
If you are exploring central Nassau, the Coliseum area pairs well with nearby university, museum, park, and shopping stops.

Snapshot (Quick Facts)

Official Name	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Common Name	Nassau Coliseum
Address	1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
Area	Uniondale, in Nassau County’s central Hub district near Hofstra University
Opened	1972 (major renovation 2015-2017; reopened in 2017)
Venue Type	Multi-purpose indoor arena used for sports, concerts, family entertainment, and large public events
Historic Major Tenants	New York Islanders, New York Nets; recent years have also included G League basketball and other event-based tenants
Ownership / Management	Nassau County-owned venue; operating and management arrangements have changed over time
Capacity	Roughly 4,500 to 16,000 depending on event layout and current seating configuration
Hours	No standard daily sightseeing hours; access is generally tied to scheduled events
Tickets / Box Office	Many events use advance mobile ticketing. In-person box-office service, if offered, is often limited to event days.
Parking	Large on-site surface lots typically serve arena events; fees and traffic conditions vary, so arriving early is often helpful
Public Transit	LIRR connections usually involve Hempstead or Mineola followed by NICE bus, taxi, or rideshare to Uniondale. Routes serving Hempstead Turnpike and the Nassau Hub area may be useful, but service details can change.
Website	Official venue branding and event pages have changed over time. Confirm current event information through the active venue listing or event organizer before visiting.

Configuration	Approx. Capacity	Typical Events
Concert	Up to ~16,000	Arena concerts, family spectaculars, major special events
Basketball / Combat Sports	~14,500	Basketball, boxing, MMA, and similar floor-based events
Ice Hockey	~13,900	Hockey, ice shows, and other rink-based uses
Theater Config	~4,500	Scaled concerts, comedy, speaking engagements, and smaller productions

Note: Capacities are approximate and can vary with staging, production needs, curtain setups, and current venue operations.