Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:1255 Hempstead Turnpike
Uniondale, New York
Our Sports Superfan Says:
One of the greatest dynasties in hockey history, and possibly in all of sports history, was housed at Nassau Coliseum, just outside the long shadow of New York City. Between 1980 and 1983 the NHL's New York Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cup championships; a feat not matched by any major American sports team since.
Located in Hempstead, N.Y., about 20 miles east of Manhattan, the Coliseum has been the Islanders' home since they were founded in 1972. In addition to hockey, Nassau Coliseum also shares the New York Titans' lacrosse team with Madison Square Garden, each hosting half of the team's home games. It also hosts indoor soccer and NCAA Tournament games. In the past it was also home to the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association, the predecessor of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.
The circus also comes to Nassau Coliseum, as does professional wrestling, boxing, and a number of high profile concerts. Long Island native Billy Joel frequently performs here. Even the Coliseum's parking lots play host to the sporting world as they are used in the summer for various autocross events.
Nassau Coliseum is the smallest arena in the NHL, with a capacity of 16,234. Combined with its status as the third oldest NHL building, it's not surprising that it's somewhat of a homely venue. But it's also very much a home venue, and one of the most intimidating and raucous arenas in sports, due in great part to just these things. When the Islanders' archrivals the New York Rangers come to town, fights often break out in a usually evenly divided crowd. The two have also had many fierce regular season and playoff battles on the Coliseum's ice. Once, Rangers fans took advantage of a Christmas promotion to dress as Santa Claus and get on the ice. Naturally, when they removed their suits, revealing Rangers jerseys, a brawl erupted on the ice.
It's not hard to get to Nassau Coliseum by public transit, Nassau County buses N70, N71, and N72 go from the Hempstead Terminal to a station across the street from the Coliseum. The Long Island Railroad also has three stops near the Coliseum, two of which, Hempstead and Hicksville, have buses to the Coliseum. If arriving from Westbury station, however, you'll need to take a taxi.