The Teaneck Armory is a National Guard facility and multi-purpose arena in Teaneck, New Jersey. Construction broke ground in October 1936 and the brick drill hall was completed in 1938 on a 13.66-acre site that was once a county poor farm. Designed by architect Louis S. Kaplan, who also created the Trenton War Memorial, the building was raised with Public Works Administration funds as part of Roosevelt’s New Deal, consolidating National Guard troops previously based in Hackensack, Englewood, and Dumont.
Beyond its military role, the Armory earned a reputation as one of Bergen County’s most versatile venues, hosting everything from dog shows and roller derby to political rallies and professional wrestling. Its most notable sports chapter came in 1967-68, when its drill floor served as the home court for the New Jersey Americans of the American Basketball Association, the franchise that would go on to become today’s Brooklyn Nets.
- Brooklyn Nets played here 1967–1968. See every Nets arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Teaneck, New Jersey
- Opened: 1938 (construction began 1936)
- Architect: Louis S. Kaplan
- Site Size: About 13.66 acres
- Notable Tenant: New Jersey Americans (ABA), 1967-1968
- Owner/Operator: New Jersey National Guard
A Short-Lived Pro Basketball Home
During the 1967-68 ABA season, the New Jersey Americans played their home games on the Armory’s drill floor. The arrangement proved awkward at times; in the 1968 playoffs, the team was forced to forfeit a game against the Kentucky Colonels after a circus had already booked the Armory that week, and the backup venue the team moved to was deemed unplayable. The franchise relocated the following season and eventually became the Brooklyn Nets.
A Venue for Every Occasion
Over the decades, the Teaneck Armory has hosted an unusually broad mix of events, including a November 6, 1960 campaign rally for John F. Kennedy. It has also served as a filming location for movies such as You’ve Got Mail, Sweet and Lowdown, and Stonewall, and today continues to host concerts, indoor soccer, and community gatherings alongside its continuing role as an active New Jersey National Guard facility.
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For late-season football, outdoor hockey and October park nights. Shake, pocket, and stay warm for hours.
12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Teaneck Armory FAQs
Is the Teaneck Armory still in use?
Yes, it remains an active facility owned and operated by the New Jersey National Guard, hosting military functions alongside public events like concerts and sporting activities.
What professional sports team played at the Teaneck Armory?
The New Jersey Americans of the American Basketball Association played their home games there during the 1967-68 season. That franchise later became the Brooklyn Nets.
When was the Teaneck Armory built?
Construction began in October 1936 and the building was completed in 1938, funded in part through the Public Works Administration, on a 13.66-acre site in Teaneck, New Jersey.
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Photo: Jim.henderson / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.