UBS Arena is the New York Islanders’ purpose-built home in Elmont, New York, sitting on the grounds of the historic Belmont Park racetrack just past the Queens border. Since opening in November 2021, it has become a go-to stop for hockey, concerts, and major touring events on Long Island.
If you’re planning a visit, the practical questions matter as much as the history: where to park, what you can bring in, how to get there without a car, and where the best seats are. This guide covers all of it, verified against the arena’s official visitor information.
Quick Answer
UBS Arena is located at 2400 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY, and seats about 17,255 for hockey (up to roughly 19,000 for concerts). The easiest way in is the Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR station, about a 30-minute direct ride from Manhattan’s Penn Station; drivers use Emerald Parking off the Cross Island Parkway, with a free shuttle to the arena entrance.
Getting Tickets
Islanders games, PWHL Sirens games, concerts, and other UBS Arena events are sold primarily through Ticketmaster, which operates the arena’s official box office. Ticket prices vary widely by event, seating tier, and how close to game day you buy, so there’s no single fixed price — expect standard bowl seats to cost less than club or suite-level tickets, with concerts and marquee events (like the VMAs) commanding premium pricing.
The on-site Ticketmaster Concierge, near the arena’s northeast entrance, generally opens around midday on event days and keeps limited afternoon hours on select non-event weekdays, in addition to opening several hours before any scheduled event. For the current calendar, real-time prices, and exact box office hours, check the official UBS Arena website.
Seating Chart Overview
UBS Arena’s bowl is split into four tiers. The 100 Level (lower bowl) wraps the ice with sideline sections closest to center, end sections behind the goals, and corner sections in between — the closest general seating to the action. Suite-level seating sits above that, followed by the compact 200 Level, which has no more than about five rows per section for a still-close club feel. The 300 Level (upper bowl) tops it off with wider-view, generally lower-priced seating.
Premium options include the UBS Club’s opera-style boxes, the Verizon Lounge, and both Event Level Crown Suites and Signature Suites, most of which stay configured for both hockey and concerts. Because layouts shift for non-hockey events, always check the specific seating map for your event before buying.
Parking at UBS Arena
All arena parking is reached from the Cross Island Parkway. Emerald Parking is the main general lot and the only one where you can typically buy a spot on the day of the event without a pre-purchased pass; it sits farther from the entrance than premium lots but is served by continuous free shuttle buses. Closer lots, including Diamond and other premium options, require a prepaid pass purchased in advance — parking without one in a reserved area can result in a significant exit fee.
Because pricing and lot assignments change by event and are managed through the arena’s parking partner, book ahead when possible and confirm current rates and lot maps on the official UBS Arena parking page.
Getting There Without a Car
The Elmont-UBS Arena LIRR station, the first newly built LIRR station in nearly 50 years, offers direct service on event days from Penn Station in about 30 minutes, with trains also running on the Hempstead, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma branches. A free shuttle connects the station and Emerald Parking to the arena entrance for anyone not within easy walking distance.
For train schedules and event-day service updates, check the MTA’s LIRR trip planner or the UBS Arena Plan Your Trip page before heading out, since service can vary by event.
Bag Policy & What to Bring
UBS Arena allows bags into the arena — they don’t need to be clear — as long as they’re no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″; all bags go through x-ray or visual screening at entry. Backpacks of any size are prohibited, along with coolers of any kind, including soft-sided ones.
Diaper and medical bags are allowed but will be inspected thoroughly at the gate. If you show up with a bag that doesn’t meet the policy, a bag check is available in the Great Hall. Rules occasionally change for specific tours or events, so it’s worth double-checking the official bag policy page before you go.
The Fan Experience
UBS Arena was designed with sightlines and intimacy in mind, keeping every seat close to the ice by NHL standards. The concourses feature open views of the action even from concession areas, and the arena’s design drew praise for blending modern amenities with a boutique, team-first atmosphere rather than the multi-tenant feel common at older shared arenas.
Beyond hockey, the venue has become a major concert and entertainment stop on Long Island, hosting large-scale touring acts and high-profile events including the MTV Video Music Awards in both 2024 and 2025, alongside appearances by St. John’s University basketball and other tenants.
Built at Belmont Park
The arena anchors a broader redevelopment of the historic Belmont Park site, a thoroughbred racing venue that has hosted the Belmont Stakes since the 1900s. Developed by New York Arena Partners, a joint venture of the Islanders, Oak View Group, and Sterling Equities, the roughly $1 billion project brought new retail, dining, and transit infrastructure to the area alongside the arena itself. Fans have nicknamed the building ‘The Stable,’ a nod to its home on the grounds of a legendary racetrack.
UBS Arena FAQs
Who plays at UBS Arena?
The NHL’s New York Islanders are the primary tenant, with the PWHL’s New York Sirens, St. John’s University basketball, and touring concerts also using the venue.
What is UBS Arena’s capacity?
UBS Arena holds about 17,255 fans for hockey games and can expand to roughly 19,000 for concerts and other events.
When did UBS Arena open?
UBS Arena opened on November 20, 2021, in Elmont, New York, on the grounds of Belmont Park.
How do I get to UBS Arena from Manhattan?
The easiest way is the LIRR to the Elmont-UBS Arena station, about a 30-minute direct ride from Penn Station on event days, with the arena a short walk or free shuttle ride from the platform.
Where do you park for UBS Arena events?
Most fans use Emerald Parking, reached via the Cross Island Parkway, which is the main lot where day-of parking is typically available; closer premium lots require a prepaid pass bought in advance.
What bags are allowed at UBS Arena?
UBS Arena allows bags up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″ — they don’t need to be clear — but backpacks and coolers of any kind aren’t permitted and can be checked at the Great Hall.
Where do I buy UBS Arena tickets?
Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, which also runs the arena’s official box office near the northeast entrance.
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