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Upcoming events at UBS Arena
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
What to buy at UBS Arena, in brief
For Islanders hockey, the top pick is the 100 level at center ice, row 10 or higher, so you look over the glass rather than through it. The value pick is the middle of the 200 level: seating guides describe its sections as five rows or fewer, which means even the back row is close to the ice and looks down on the whole rink. If you want the home team attacking in front of you, sit at the section 109 end, where guides say the Islanders shoot twice.
UBS Arena seats 17,255 for hockey and about 19,000 for concerts. It sits at Belmont Park in Elmont, just across the Queens line in Nassau County, with its own Long Island Rail Road station.
Three short rings: how the bowl works
Most arenas stack a deep upper deck above the suites. UBS Arena does the opposite, keeping its upper rings shallow so no seat feels exiled.
- 100 level: the lower bowl around the ice. The arena's accessibility guide ties its elevators to sections 101, 107, 111 and 118, a handy way to orient yourself from each entrance.
- 200 level: a thin ring above the suites, five rows at most per section, according to seating guides.
- 300 level: the top ring, with no more than nine rows per section in the same guides.
Premium options include the Dime Club, Hyundai Club and Spotlight Club, plus the PitchBook Suites and UBS Boxes; the arena says its clubs and suites draw on classic New York venues for their design. Guides place the Islanders bench in front of section 103 and the visitors in front of 105, with the home team attacking toward 109 in the first and third periods. Treat those as guide placements and confirm on the seat map before you buy.
Seats to pick for Islanders games
- Center ice, 100 level, row 10 and up: the most complete hockey view, with the glass below your sightline.
- The 109 end, lower rows above the glass: two periods of Islanders offense coming at you.
- Center 200 level: close enough to hear the game, high enough to read the play, and usually less in demand than a similar 100-level seat.
- 300-level sideline: because the ring is shallow, a full-rink view without the long climb most upper decks require. Replays on the scoreboard fill in the detail.
Low 100-level rows bring speed and the sound of hits, but from row 3 it is hard to judge spacing on the far side. If you care more about understanding the game than feeling the boards shake, an upper sideline seat is a first choice here, not a fallback.
Concert seating and seats to skip
For an end-stage show, the 100-level sections angled toward the stage from the sides beat the back of the floor, where the floor is flat and a standing crowd hides the view. Up top, choose sections that angle toward the stage over those squarely opposite it. Front floor is the closest experience, but shorter fans lose the stage once everyone stands.
- First rows behind the benches: players and staff block the near side of the ice.
- Low rows directly behind the nets: glass and netting distort the far end.
- Side-view or limited-view concert sections: often miss part of the stage or the video screens.
Beyond hockey, the arena books arena tours, WWE and AEW wrestling, UFC and award shows, including the MTV Video Music Awards in 2024 and 2025. The NHL season runs October to mid-April, with playoff dates possible into spring, and summer is the busiest stretch for concerts.
Rail, bus, lots and rideshare
Long Island Rail Road
Elmont–UBS Arena was the first new LIRR station in nearly half a century. The arena advertises direct trains from Penn Station and Grand Central Madison taking about 30 minutes. Hempstead Branch trains carry most of the service, with a few Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson trains stopping too. The platform is north of the campus: walk 10 to 15 minutes or take the free shuttle. Postgame trains fill fast, so check the TrainTime app or the MTA site for departure times.
Buses
From Queens, the MTA Q2 and Q82 stop near the campus; from Nassau, the NICE n6.
Driving
Five lots serve the arena. Exit 26D on the Cross Island Parkway leads to Emerald, Exit 26A to the Belmont Park Garage, and Exit 26B to Silver, Diamond and Ruby. As of fall 2026, the arena strongly encourages buying parking ahead; Emerald is the only lot selling general parking on the day. Lots open two hours before doors and close 90 minutes after the event, and concert parking costs more at the gate than online. Tailgating is banned under the arena's lease with Empire State Development.
Rideshare uses the north side of the arena, reached only by Exit 26D and Green Road, with a phone-charging waiting area on the main concourse near section 118.
Bags, payment and re-entry
As of the 2026–27 season, the maximum bag size is 12 by 12 by 6 inches, every bag goes through X-ray or a hand search, and backpacks are banned regardless of size. Medical and diaper bags are allowed after screening. If your bag is too big, the Great Hall has a bag check. The arena is cashless, with kiosks that turn cash into a card, and re-entry is not allowed. Rules can vary by event, so read the UBS Arena bag policy before you leave.
Wheelchair seating is listed in lower sections 103, 104, 105, 109, 112, 114, 115 and 117, and in 205, 210, 214, 217 and 222 on the upper concourse. Seats for guests with low vision are in the first 20 rows of the lower level, and accessible shuttles connect to the train. Every Reserved Seat order includes guaranteed entry.
How the Islanders landed at Belmont Park
The arena came out of a 2017 state competition for Belmont Park, won by the Islanders with Oak View Group and Sterling Equities. Work began in September 2019, stopped for two months in spring 2020 during the pandemic, and UBS signed a 20-year naming deal that July. Populous led the design, and the project cost about 1 billion dollars including development.
The Islanders played their first game here on November 20, 2021, a 5–2 loss to the Calgary Flames, ending years of splitting home games between Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center. Because it stands on racetrack grounds, fans nicknamed it The Stable. The NHL has scheduled its 2027 All-Star Game here.
Frequently asked questions
Are the 200-level seats at UBS Arena any good?
Yes. Seating guides list no more than five rows per 200-level section, so center 200-level seats are close and show the whole rink, usually for less than a comparable 100-level seat.
Which end do the Islanders shoot twice at UBS Arena?
Seating guides place it at the section 109 end, in the first and third periods. Confirm on the seat map at checkout.
Can you bring a backpack to UBS Arena?
No. As of fall 2026, backpacks of any size are banned and other bags may be no larger than 12 by 12 by 6 inches. Check the arena's current policy before you go.
How long is the train ride to UBS Arena?
The arena lists about 30 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison to Elmont–UBS Arena station, then a 10- to 15-minute walk or a free shuttle.
Is tailgating allowed at UBS Arena?
No. The arena's lease with Empire State Development prohibits it.
How many people does UBS Arena hold?
It seats 17,255 for hockey and up to about 19,000 for concerts.