Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, commonly known as the Nassau Coliseum, is a historic multi-purpose indoor arena in Uniondale, New York. Located in the central Nassau Hub near Hofstra University, the arena has been one of Long Island’s most recognizable sports and entertainment venues for more than five decades.

Opened on February 11, 1972, the Coliseum was built on land associated with the former Mitchel Field area and named in honor of Nassau County veterans. Over the years, it has hosted professional sports, major concerts, family entertainment, graduations, trade shows, political gatherings, charity events, and other large public programs.

Sports History

The Nassau Coliseum is most closely associated with the New York Islanders, who began playing at the arena during their inaugural 1972 season. The building became the center of one of the greatest championship runs in professional hockey when the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 through 1983.

The Islanders remained at the Coliseum as their primary home through 2015 and later returned for selected regular-season and playoff games before eventually moving permanently to UBS Arena.

The building also served as home court for the New York Nets during the team’s American Basketball Association years and early NBA period before the franchise relocated to New Jersey in 1977. Other sporting events held at the arena over the decades have included basketball, boxing, mixed martial arts, indoor lacrosse, professional wrestling, college sports, ice shows, and special exhibitions.

Concerts & Entertainment

Beyond sports, Nassau Coliseum developed a reputation as one of the region’s major concert venues. Performers appearing at the arena over the years have included Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and numerous other internationally known artists.

Long Island native Billy Joel has had a particularly strong association with the Coliseum, performing there numerous times throughout his career. The arena has also hosted comedy, professional wrestling, the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, family productions, and other touring entertainment.

Design & Renovation

Originally designed by Welton Becket and Associates, Nassau Coliseum was built with the low-slung modernist profile that became familiar to generations of Long Islanders. Its distinctive shape and large surrounding parking fields made it an easily recognizable landmark along Hempstead Turnpike.

The arena underwent a major renovation beginning in 2015 that modernized seating, suites, concourses, concessions, restrooms, and other visitor areas while maintaining the basic footprint of the original building. The renovated Coliseum reopened in 2017.

Visiting Nassau Coliseum

Today, Nassau Coliseum is best treated as an event venue rather than a traditional sightseeing attraction. Public access generally revolves around scheduled concerts, sporting events, shows, and special programs rather than regular daily tours.

Large surface parking lots surround the arena, although parking fees, lot-opening times, traffic patterns, and entry procedures can vary depending on the event. Security screening, bag policies, mobile ticketing requirements, and permitted items may also differ from one event to another.

Visitors using public transportation commonly travel by the Long Island Rail Road and continue to Uniondale by NICE bus, taxi, or rideshare. Because schedules, event operations, and transportation options can change, visitors attending a specific event should confirm current information before traveling.

The Coliseum is also close to several central Nassau County attractions and communities, including Hofstra University, Museum Row, Eisenhower Park, Garden City, Westbury, and other shopping and dining destinations.

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Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale

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Key Facts & Details

Official Name	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Common Name	Nassau Coliseum
Address	1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, NY 11553
Community	Uniondale
County	Nassau County
Opened	February 11, 1972
Renovation	Major renovation completed before reopening in 2017
Venue Type	Multi-purpose indoor sports and entertainment arena
Historic Major Tenants	New York Islanders and New York Nets
Notable Uses	Hockey, basketball, concerts, boxing, wrestling, family shows, graduations, trade shows and special events
Capacity	Varies by event configuration, from roughly 4,500 in smaller theater-style setups to about 16,000 for larger concert configurations
Parking	Large on-site surface parking areas; fees and procedures may vary by event
Public Transit	LIRR connections followed by NICE bus, taxi, or rideshare service to Uniondale
Public Access	Primarily during scheduled ticketed events; regular sightseeing tours are not generally offered
Ownership	Nassau County

For generations of Long Islanders, Nassau Coliseum has been far more than simply an arena. Its championship hockey history, memorable concerts, major public events, and unmistakable place in central Nassau County have made it one of the region’s enduring landmarks, preserving an important connection to Long Island’s sports and entertainment history even as the surrounding Nassau Hub continues to evolve.