The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum has been the host of practically all forms of entertainment and sports, from high profile rock concerts, touring family entertainment shows, professional boxing and wrestling, track & field, lacrosse and soccer. The coliseum also serves as home to the New York Islanders, National Hockey League team.
The coliseum's fully trained and uniformed Ushers, Crowd Management, Ticket Takers and Ticket Sellers are on duty for all events. Our experienced Event Management Department will ensure that visitors enjoy a pleasant and safe experience for every occasion.
Nassau County, New York obtained the property when the 1,200 acre base, Mitchell Field, a former Army Air Force facility, was closed in 1960. A number of years later a 15,000 seat arena was built on the site and officially opened its doors to the public in 1972. It was expanded to 18,000 seats in the mid-1980's. The building was dedicated to those fighting men and women who gave their lives to preserve freedom in our Country, thus the name Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
The Nassau Coliseum has hosted a number of charitable events over the years, including a benefit Mass in honor of those who lost their lives in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Many community sponsored fundraising proceedings have used the facilities including Games for the Physically Challenged Awards Banquet, food and clothing drives to benefit the less fortunate, and community blood drive, just to mention a few.
Every year the coliseum is proud to host many family oriented entertainment venues, including the popular Disney On Ice, Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus, The Wiggles Live, The Harlem Globetrotters, Smuckers Stars On Ice, the USHRA Monster Jam, Sesame Street Live and many others. Each year brings added attractions to the Nassau Coliseum that only adds to the fun and excitement for visiting guests.
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is perhaps the biggest and most popular attraction to appear at the coliseum annually. The Circus has entertained audiences at the coliseum every year since 1972.
The first event took place in 1972 with a New York Nets Basketball game. The Nets called the Nassau Coliseum home until 1977. The coliseum was the next scheduled performance of Elvis Presley prior to his to his death, just a week before the performance was to take place.
The Billy Graham Religious Crusade took place at the coliseum in 1990. A record number of 99,700 attended Graham's Crusade over a five day period.
The building encompasses nearly 420,000 square feet. It is 460 feet at its longest point and 340 feet at its widest spot.
To prepare the ice hockey rink, a crew of 10 men utilize approximately 8,500 gallons of water to freeze a one inch surface of the 200 feet by 85 feet arena.
Nassau Coliseum has won a number of top awards for arenas, including "Arena of the Year'' in 1995. The inside height of the arena is 97 feet.
The concourse accommodates 12 permanent concession stands and numerous portable kiosks.
Cameras are allowed for most events but video recorders or cameras deemed to be professional are prohibited.
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