How do I get to UBS Arena as an away fan?

Fly into JFK (closest) or LaGuardia (LGA); both are a reasonable drive or rideshare from Belmont Park. The arena has its own LIRR stop (Elmont–UBS Arena) with game-day service from Manhattan and Long Island — the easiest way in, no car needed.

What is parking like at UBS Arena and when should away fans arrive?

On-site event lots (Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, Silver) run $30–60 general — buy in advance and know your Cross Island Parkway exit (Emerald = 26D; Diamond/Ruby/Silver = 26B). Warning: parking the Belmont Park Garage without a prepaid pass is a $125 charge on exit, so prepay. The budget move is the LIRR from a Long Island station with free parking (Mineola, Westbury, Hicksville). There's no tailgating in UBS lots, and the post-event exit can take 45 minutes.

What food should you get at UBS Arena, and what should you bring?

Expect a strong New York-area food lineup and upscale concessions in the new building. Check the bag policy, as arena clear-bag or small-bag rules usually apply. It's indoors, so weather isn't a factor inside.

Is UBS Arena friendly to away fans, and any insider tips?

Take the LIRR to the Elmont–UBS Arena stop — the station is right there, so skip the car. Stay in Manhattan and make a New York trip of it, and enjoy one of the newest arenas in the league.

Is UBS Arena indoors?

Yes — UBS Arena is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena. It runs cool (the ice keeps the bowl cold), so bring a layer even in summer.

Visiting UBS Arena as an Away Fan: The Complete Guide

Q: How do I get to UBS Arena from Manhattan?

Take the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) — it's the best way. There's direct ~30-minute service from both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison to the Elmont-UBS Arena Station on event days. From Brooklyn or Queens, get to Jamaica station and take the Hempstead line eastbound to Elmont-UBS Arena. Free shuttle buses run continuously between the station and the arena (a 5-minute trip), and the station is also under a mile away (walkable). Fares run about $12–20 round trip, and it beats driving, since the Cross Island Pkwy and Hempstead Tpke jam up 90 minutes before events.

Q: Where should visiting fans stay for a Islanders game at UBS Arena?

Stay in Manhattan and take the LIRR out to the arena for the game — an easy ride — for the full New York trip. Or base on western Long Island (Nassau County) to be closer to Belmont Park.

Q: Where do visiting fans sit at UBS Arena?

It's a brand-new arena with excellent sightlines and no obstructed views, and the Islanders faithful make it loud. Lower-bowl seats are pricier while the upper deck is good value. Islanders crowds are passionate but fine for visiting fans.

Q: What is the pregame scene like at UBS Arena?

The arena's own bars and clubs inside and around the concourses are a big part of the pregame at this new building. If you're staying in the city, Manhattan is the pregame before you take the LIRR out.

A brand-new arena with its own LIRR stop

UBS Arena is a brand-new arena at Belmont Park in Elmont, on the western edge of Long Island, and it has its own LIRR station, making it an easy train ride from Manhattan. Home to the New York Islanders, it's a modern building with a loud, loyal crowd.

Getting There

Fly into JFK (closest) or LaGuardia (LGA); both are a reasonable drive or rideshare from Belmont Park. But the easiest way in (especially from the city) is the train.

Getting to UBS Arena from Manhattan: take the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road). It's the best way. There's direct ~30-minute service from both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison to the Elmont-UBS Arena Station on event days. From Brooklyn or Queens, get to Jamaica station and take the Hempstead line eastbound to Elmont-UBS Arena. Free shuttle buses run continuously between the station and the arena (a 5-minute trip), and the station is also just under a mile away (walkable). LIRR fares from Manhattan run ~$12–20 round trip, and this beats driving, since the Cross Island Pkwy and Hempstead Tpke grind to a stop 90 minutes before events.

Where to Stay

Stay in Manhattan and take the LIRR out to the arena for the game (an easy ride) for the full New York trip.

Or base on western Long Island (Nassau County) to be closer to Belmont Park.

Parking & When to Arrive

On-site event lots (Diamond, Ruby, Emerald, and Silver) run $30–60 general (premium closer lots higher). Buy in advance (Ticketmaster/ParkWhiz/SpotHero) and know your Cross Island Parkway exit: Emerald is Exit 26D; Diamond, Ruby, and Silver are Exit 26B. The budget move is the LIRR from a Long Island station with free parking (Mineola, Westbury, Hicksville). You pay only the ~$10–15 round-trip fare and skip parking and traffic entirely. Parking opens 2 hours before doors and closes 90 minutes after, and there's no tailgating (forbidden in UBS lots — a sore point for longtime Isles fans).

⚠️ Warning: parking in the Belmont Park Garage WITHOUT a prepaid pass = a $125 charge on exit. Prepay to avoid it. And note the post-event exit funnel can take 45 minutes — wait 15–20 minutes in your seat to let it clear.

Roof & Climate

Yes, indoor arena, fully enclosed and climate controlled year-round.

UBS Arena is a fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena. Arenas run cool, especially NHL buildings where the ice holds the bowl temperature down. Bring a layer even in summer.

Where Visiting Fans Sit

It's a modern arena (~17,250 for hockey) that opened in November 2021, purpose-designed for hockey with excellent sightlines and no obstructed views, and the Islanders faithful make it loud. Lower-bowl seats are pricier while the upper deck is good value. Islanders crowds are passionate but fine for visiting fans.

One thing to plan around: there's little around the arena. It's mostly residential. Do your eating and drinking in the city or near Queens Village LIRR (a few bars on Jamaica Ave), or just plan to arrive and head straight in.

Food & What to Bring

Pregame options right by the arena are limited (it's a residential area), so it's best to eat in Manhattan or the city before the LIRR ride, or grab the upscale concessions inside the new building.

On bags, UBS Arena follows a strict policy (the clear-bag/small-bag standard typical of NHL arenas) so confirm the current specifics on ubsarena.com before you go. There's no on-site storage, so travel light. It's indoors, so weather isn't a factor inside.

Comparing parks? We checked bag policies at all 30 MLB ballparks.

The Pregame Scene

The arena's own bars and clubs inside and around the concourses are a big part of the pregame at this new building.

If you're staying in the city, Manhattan is the pregame before you take the LIRR out.

Insider Tips

From Manhattan, take the LIRR — direct ~30 min from Penn or Grand Central Madison to Elmont-UBS Arena, then the free shuttle (or walk ~1 mi), for about $12–20 round trip. If you drive, prepay and know your Cross Island exit, and NEVER park the Belmont Garage without a pass ($125 fee). There's no tailgating.

Since there's not much around the arena, eat in the city first. Stay in Manhattan and make a New York trip of it, and enjoy one of the newest arenas in the league.

Plan & Book

Build your UBS Arena trip

Choose each piece: flights into JFK or LGA, a hotel in Manhattan or on western Long Island, Islanders tickets, and a rental car only if you want it (the LIRR stops at the arena). Save it to My trips to keep your dates. Nothing books until you're ready.