Few NBA teams have had as many homes as the Nets. Founded in 1967 as the ABA’s New Jersey Americans, they have played in eight arenas: an armory in Teaneck, three Long Island arenas as the New York Nets, four New Jersey arenas as the New Jersey Nets and, since 2012, Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Here is every home in order, with the years the Nets played there, what made each one matter and what stands on the site today. Each arena with a ThrillZing guide links to it.
Every Nets Arena, 1967 to Today
- Teaneck
- 1967–1968
Teaneck Armory
The first home, in the ABA as the New Jersey Americans, found with opening day approaching. When a circus booked the armory at playoff time in 1968, the team had to forfeit a playoff game to the Kentucky Colonels.
Today: Still a New Jersey National Guard armory, also used for events and film shoots
- Commack
- 1968–1969
Long Island Arena
After a planned move to Newark fell through, the team crossed to Long Island as the New York Nets. The court was laid over hockey ice left exposed at the ends, and the building was kept below 50 degrees.
Today: Closed in 1996 and demolished; a shopping center with Target and Whole Foods stands on the site
- West Hempstead
- 1969–1972
Island Garden
A small arena the owner treated as a stopgap until Nassau Coliseum was built. It was booked during the 1971 playoffs, so home games went to Hofstra and the Felt Forum. The Nets moved out late in the 1971–72 season.
Today: Partly demolished in 1973; a shopping center covers part of the site
- Uniondale
- 1972–1977
Nassau Coliseum
A Nets game was the arena's first event, in February 1972. Julius Erving led them to ABA titles in 1974 and 1976 here; after the merger they owed the Knicks a territorial fee, sold Erving to pay it and left for New Jersey in 1977.
Today: Renovated in 2015–17 and still in use, home of the G League's Long Island Nets
- Piscataway
- 1977–1981
Rutgers Athletic Center
Low attendance on Long Island drove the move back to New Jersey, which the Knicks threatened to block. The Nets spent four seasons on the Rutgers campus while their Meadowlands arena was built.
Today: Still Rutgers' basketball arena, now named Jersey Mike's Arena
- East Rutherford
- 1981–2010
Meadowlands Arena
Built for the Nets and opened as Brendan Byrne Arena, later Continental Airlines Arena and the Izod Center. Shared with the Devils from 1982 to 2007; the Nets reached the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003 while playing here.
Today: Closed in 2015; used as a rehearsal space for concert tours and as a TV and film stage
- Newark
2010–2012Two seasons at the Devils' arena while Barclays Center was built in Brooklyn. The Nets played their last game here on April 23, 2012.
Today: Still home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils and Seton Hall basketball
Stadium history →- Brooklyn
- 2012–presentCurrent home
Opened in September 2012 above the Atlantic Terminal rail station, making the Nets the first major pro team in Brooklyn since the Dodgers left in 1957. Shared with the WNBA's New York Liberty.
Visiting guide →
Nets Arena FAQ
Where did the Nets play before Brooklyn?
At the Prudential Center in Newark for two seasons, 2010 to 2012, while Barclays Center was built. Before that they played 29 seasons at the Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey (1981–2010), and four at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway (1977–1981).
How many arenas have the Nets had?
Eight: the Teaneck Armory, Long Island Arena in Commack, Island Garden in West Hempstead, Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, the Rutgers Athletic Center, the Meadowlands Arena, the Prudential Center and Barclays Center.
Why did the Nets leave Long Island?
Joining the NBA in 1976 cost the Nets a territorial payment to the Knicks, which they covered by selling Julius Erving’s contract to the 76ers. With attendance low and the finances poor, owner Roy Boe moved the team back to New Jersey for the 1977–78 season.
Is the Meadowlands Arena still standing?
Yes. The arena, known over the years as Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and the Izod Center, closed in 2015 but is still used as a rehearsal space for concert tours and as a TV and film stage. The Long Island Arena and most of Island Garden are gone, replaced by shopping centers.
Where do the Nets play now?
At Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which opened in 2012 above the Atlantic Terminal rail station. It seats 17,732 for basketball and is shared with the WNBA’s New York Liberty.