Holiday matinees at UBS Arena are family-priced and end in time for dinner; Nashville's fast, physical style suits the Islanders' grinding game. UBS Arena was designed for hockey first, with steep sightlines and a lower bowl that puts the crowd on top of the ice. The Islanders' fan base is loud and old-school, and the building's bars and food hall are a cut above the older arenas.
What to expect
Doors open about an hour before the 3 PM puck drop. Expect a passionate blue-and-orange crowd, a roughly two-and-a-half-hour game and an LIRR ride back to Penn or Atlantic Terminal in about 30 minutes.
Good to know
- Take the LIRR to Elmont-UBS Arena station (Hempstead branch); event-day trains run from Penn, Grand Central Madison and Atlantic Terminal.
- Tickets via Ticketmaster; Islanders weeknight tickets are typically cheaper than Rangers.
- The arena is cashless and follows a clear-bag policy.
- Parking is available but sells out for weekend games; transit is the easier route.
- Time per the published NHL schedule; confirm on game day.
Going? Keep it.
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Common questions
How do I get to UBS Arena from Manhattan?
LIRR to Elmont-UBS Arena station, roughly 30-35 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison on event days.
Is UBS Arena in New York City?
It sits at Belmont Park on the Queens-Nassau county line; the address is Elmont but the Queens border is a few hundred feet away.