UBS Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

The LIRR is the unambiguous right answer from Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. The arena itself recommends it: roughly 30-minute direct train service to Elmont–UBS Arena Station is available from both Grand Central Madison and Penn Station. Trains on the Hempstead, Huntington, and Ronkonkoma Branches all stop at the station. As of April 2024, service is primarily provided by trains on the Hempstead Branch, with Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson Branches providing limited service. Free shuttles run between UBS Arena, Emerald Parking, and Elmont–UBS Arena Station on event days , though the walk from the platform to the arena is doable in under 10 minutes if you move with purpose.

UBS Arena is located less than 15 miles from both JFK and LaGuardia Airports , and a car or rideshare from JFK takes roughly 10 minutes — making this one of the more airport-convenient arenas in the league. If you're driving, all parking can be accessed via the Cross Island Parkway at exits 26A, 26B, and 26D . The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone is located on the north side of the arena, accessible via Cross Island Parkway Exit 26D and Green Road.

UBS Arena parking ranges from $20–$60+ across official stadium lots. The five parking areas are Emerald Parking (Exit 26D), Silver Parking (Exit 26B), Diamond Parking (Exit 26B), Ruby Parking (Exit 26B), and the Belmont Park Garage (Exit 26A). Buy in advance — drive-up rates are typically $10+ higher than advance purchase , and during Islanders playoff games, every home game sells out on-site parking by gate time, so prepay.

One thing to know going in: preferred parking doesn't help much with the exit — everyone funnels through the same Hempstead Turnpike outbound lanes. And critically, the lease with Empire State Development prohibits tailgating at UBS Arena , which is a legitimate bummer if that's part of your game-day ritual. Budget the time: the Cross Island Parkway peaks 60–90 minutes before puck drop, so either arrive 2+ hours early or take the LIRR.

Elmont itself is residential and not set up for overnight visitors — there are no walkable hotel clusters right at the arena. Your two best strategies are proximity to the LIRR or proximity to JFK.

If you're taking the train, Floral Park and Garden City (both on Long Island, about 10–15 minutes by car) have modest mid-range options and are close enough to make a post-game return painless. If you flew into JFK, a JFK-corridor hotel makes the whole trip clean — you're looking at Jamaican Ave Queens, Howard Beach, or Rockville Centre depending on your preference for city feel versus quiet suburb. Avoid booking anything Manhattan-adjacent if you're driving; the Cross Island Parkway is fine, but funneling back through the Queens expressway system post-game will cost you an hour you didn't budget.

UBS Arena is not in a bar district. The arena is surrounded by racetrack grounds and parkways, not a walkable strip of pubs. You need a plan before you arrive.

The Harrison (Floral Park) — the popular Floral Park eatery known for its scratch-made dishes and cocktails actually has a major presence at an in-arena food hub, with its famous cheeseburgers and French fries featured at three outlets in general concessions. The original restaurant in Floral Park is the real deal for pre-game dinner.

King Umberto (Elmont) — A Long Island red-sauce institution a few minutes from the arena. Old-school Italian-American, the kind of place where portions are generous and the room smells like garlic from the parking lot. Perfect pre-game.

Mighty Quinn's BBQ — The New York-born barbecue concept offers slow-smoked brisket, burnt ends, and pulled pork sandwich varieties as part of the general concessions lineup inside the arena , but the standalone locations in Manhattan are worth hitting if you're making a full trip of it.

The Heineken Beer Garden at The Park — The Heineken Beer Garden offers an extensive seating area under twinkly lights, and guests are encouraged to hang out there before events at UBS Arena. It's right on campus and a legitimate pre-game option if you arrive early.

Fans are allowed to carry clear plastic bags that do not exceed 12" x 6" x 12". Small clutches or purses fitting within 4.5" x 6.5" are also permitted. Non-clear bags, backpacks, and camera bags are NOT allowed; medical and diaper bags are allowed but will undergo thorough inspection. Critical: there is no on-site bag check available at UBS Arena , so if you show up with a non-compliant bag, you're leaving it in the car or not getting in.

Doors to UBS Arena typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time, depending on the type of event. The arena uses advanced walk-through security screening — UBS employs more advanced security screening where contents do not need to be removed from pockets, and the process is quick and painless. Get there early anyway; the lots and the LIRR shuttle both get congested in the final 30 minutes before puck drop.

Accessible seating is available on all levels and in all ticket price ranges, with wheelchair accessible and companion seating and seats with removable armrests dispersed throughout the arena. Two guest elevators are located in each quad of the arena with access to every level, and accessible doors are at each entrance, along with a limited number of wheelchairs to transport guests with limited mobility to their seating area.

For parking, Emerald Parking has 36 accessible spaces served by ADA-accessible shuttle vans and buses, including two dedicated on-demand shuttle vans; Diamond and Silver Parking each have 28 accessible spaces with adjacent access aisles. The arena provides private spaces for nursing families and guests with sensory sensitivities. Reach the accessibility team at ADA@ubsarena.com or the UBS Arena Accessibility Hotline at 516-460-8598.

There is no formally designated away fan section at UBS Arena — the NHL doesn't operate that way — but visiting fans tend to cluster in the upper bowl, particularly sections in the 200s and 300s, where secondary market tickets are cheapest and the sightlines are still genuinely excellent. UBS Arena boasts some of the best sightlines and the largest arena scoreboard in New York State , and the column-free bowl design means there truly isn't a bad seat in the house.

One point of note: the Blue and Orange Army — the Islanders' organized supporter section — is located behind sections 329/228/230, which is the goal the Islanders defend twice. If you'd rather not be directly surrounded by the most passionate home fans, aim for the opposite end, sections 305–315 range, where you'll find better value tickets and a slightly calmer atmosphere. Lower bowl corners (sections 105–115) offer excellent hockey sightlines at a premium; lower bowl behind the away goalie can be a fun place to situate yourself if you're traveling in a group.

UBS Arena concessions feature market-style outlets offering a mix of hot, fresh prepared food and ready-to-go meals, with 12 markets — three of which are large multi-concept designs. Heineken is the exclusive beer partner, and 16-ounce Amstel Light or Heineken runs $9.99 at promotional price points throughout the venue. Everything at UBS is pricey — technically the arena is on Long Island, but NYC prices are effectively in effect. Plan on $15–18 for a standard beer and $15–20 for a meal item.

UBS Arena is one of the louder arenas in the Eastern Conference on a sold-out night — the bowl design and acoustics are intentional, and the Islanders fan base, after years of stadium nomadism between Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center, has genuine emotional investment in this building. Away fans are tolerated rather than welcomed, which is about as much as you should expect anywhere. The one thing that catches visiting fans off guard: the organist, Paul Cartier, is legitimately excellent and plays continuously — the atmosphere in the seating area is solid with good sightlines, bolstered by the sounds of renowned organist Paul Cartier, whose organ is situated in the concourse behind the goal the Islanders defend twice. It gives the place an old-school hockey arena feel that's increasingly rare in modern buildings.

LIRR is your fastest exit. Trains begin running back toward Penn Station and Grand Central Madison immediately after the game, and the platform fills up quickly — so leave about two minutes before the final horn if you want to grab a seat on the first train rather than standing. The walk from your seat to the platform takes 10–12 minutes depending on your section. Trains back to the city run frequently enough that even if you miss the first post-game train, the next is usually 20–30 minutes behind.

Driving: preferred parking doesn't help with the exit — everyone funnels through the same Hempstead Turnpike outbound lanes. Budget at least 30–45 minutes to reach a moving road after a sellout. Parking closes 90 minutes after events , so you're not being rushed out, but sitting in your car for 20 minutes after the final buzzer and letting the initial rush thin out is often the smarter play.

Rideshare: Surge pricing from Uber and Lyft is common after sold-out Islanders games. Guests waiting for rideshare pickup can charge their phones in the Rideshare Waiting Area on the main concourse near section 118, an indoor waiting space that helps avoid post-game congestion on the north side pickup area. The opinionated tip: wait 25 minutes inside the arena, let the surge die down, then request your ride. Walking to Belmont Park Village or into the Elmont town area before requesting can also get you a faster, cheaper pickup.

How do I get to UBS Arena from Manhattan?

Take the LIRR — roughly 30-minute direct service to Elmont–UBS Arena Station is available from both Grand Central Madison and Penn Station. Free event shuttles run between the station and the arena.

What is the UBS Arena bag policy?

Backpacks, purses, and large bags are not permitted. Clear bags up to 12" x 6" x 12" are allowed. Only small clutches and wallets smaller than 4.5" x 6.5" are permitted. There is no on-site bag check.

How much does parking cost at UBS Arena?

Parking ranges from $20–$60+ across official lots. Buy in advance through ParkWhiz or Ticketmaster; drive-up rates are meaningfully higher.

Is UBS Arena cashless?

UBS Arena is a cashless venue, but cash-to-card kiosks are available so guests can convert cash before purchasing.

When do gates open for Islanders games?

Doors typically open between 90 minutes and 2 hours before event time. Arrive early — lines build in the final 30 minutes before puck drop.

What are the best seats for away fans? Upper bowl sections 305–315 offer solid sightlines, cheaper secondary market prices, and a less intense atmosphere than the Islanders supporter sections at 329/228/230. Lower bowl corners work well if budget allows.

Is there accessible seating and parking at UBS Arena?

Accessible seating is available on all levels and in all ticket price ranges. There are 28 accessible parking spaces with adjacent access aisles in Silver Parking, with ADA-accessible shuttles including dedicated on-demand vans available.

Can I get to UBS Arena from JFK Airport?

A car or rideshare from JFK takes roughly 10 minutes — it's one of the closest major arenas to a New York-area airport. The LIRR via Jamaica Station also connects, though it requires a transfer.