The New York Islanders spent their first 43 seasons at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island. A move to Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2015 didn’t work out, so they returned to the renovated Coliseum part-time and then full-time before opening UBS Arena at Belmont Park in 2021.
Here is every home in order, with the years the Islanders played there, what made each one matter and what stands on the site today. Each arena with a ThrillZing guide links to it.
Every Islanders Arena, 1972 to Today
- Uniondale
- 1972–2015
Nassau Coliseum
The NHL created the Islanders in 1972 partly to keep the WHA out of the new Coliseum. They won four straight Stanley Cups (1980–1983) as tenants, then left for Brooklyn after a new arena plan failed in 2011.
- Brooklyn
2015–2020A basketball arena built for the Nets. Obstructed-view seats and poor attendance made the move unsuccessful, and from 2018 the Islanders split their home games between Brooklyn and Long Island.
Today: Still home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty
Stadium history →- Uniondale
- 2018–2021
Nassau Coliseum
Back at the renovated Coliseum, at first for part of each season, then for all of 2020–21. The last game was a playoff overtime win over Tampa Bay on June 23, 2021.
Today: Still open in smaller renovated form; it no longer has a major-league tenant
- Elmont
- 2021–presentCurrent home
A new arena at Belmont Park, about 7.7 miles west of the Coliseum. It opened in November 2021, after the Islanders began the season with a 13-game road trip.
Visiting guide →
Islanders Arena FAQ
Where did the Islanders play before UBS Arena?
At Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, which they returned to in 2018 and used full-time in 2020–21. Before that they spent 2015 to 2020 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and 1972 to 2015 at the Coliseum the first time.
How many arenas have the Islanders had?
Three: Nassau Coliseum, Barclays Center and UBS Arena. Counting their return to the Coliseum, that is four stints. In 2018–19 and 2019–20 they split their home games between Brooklyn and Long Island.
Why did the Islanders leave Nassau Coliseum?
The Coliseum had fallen into disrepair, and in August 2011 Nassau County voters rejected a plan for a new arena. In 2012 the team signed a lease to move to Barclays Center starting with the 2015–16 season.
Is Nassau Coliseum still standing?
Yes. It was renovated between 2015 and 2017, which cut hockey seating to 13,917, and it was the Islanders’ home again until June 2021. It is still open but no longer has a major-league tenant.
Where do the Islanders play now?
At UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, about 7.7 miles west of the Coliseum. It opened in November 2021 and seats 17,255 for hockey.