Island Garden was a modest, 5,200-seat arena in West Hempstead, New York, built in 1957 by Arnold “Whitey” Carlson. For a brief but colorful stretch, the barn-like venue on Long Island punched well above its weight, hosting everything from circuses and rodeos to a run of major rock and jazz concerts.
Its biggest claim to fame came between 1969 and 1972, when it served as the home court for the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association. The team’s stay there was rocky, as the building’s cramped, uneven setup drew infamous criticism before the Nets decamped for the newly built Nassau Coliseum.
- Brooklyn Nets played here 1969–1972. See every Nets arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Location: West Hempstead, New York
- Opened: 1957
- Demolished: 1973 (partially)
- Capacity: About 5,200
- Team: New York Nets (ABA), 1969–1972
- Notable fact: Later rebuilt in 1998 as a youth basketball facility on part of the original site
Home of the ABA’s New York Nets
The Nets played at Island Garden for three seasons before outgrowing it. Sportswriter Bob Ryan famously called it “the least professional, lowest-class facility in pro basketball,” pointing to mismatched seating and scheduling conflicts so severe that the team couldn’t even host its own 1971 playoff games there, instead borrowing courts at Hofstra University and Madison Square Garden’s Felt Forum.
A Concert Stop for Music Legends
Beyond basketball, Island Garden built a surprisingly deep concert resume for a small suburban arena. Cream, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, The Byrds, and Sly and the Family Stone all played there, alongside boxing cards, pro wrestling, boat shows, and midget car racing that filled out its calendar.
Explore more: Explore more historic stadiums.
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12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
Island Garden FAQs
What was Island Garden?
Island Garden was a 5,200-seat arena in West Hempstead, New York, built in 1957, used for sports, concerts, and other events.
Which pro team played at Island Garden?
The New York Nets of the American Basketball Association played home games there from 1969 to 1972 before moving to Nassau Coliseum.
What happened to Island Garden?
The original arena was partially demolished in 1973. A youth basketball facility was later built on part of the site in 1998.
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