New York Islanders tickets for the 2026-27 season
The Islanders play 42 home games at UBS Arena in Elmont, and in February 2027 the arena hosts the NHL All-Star weekend. This guide covers the best dates, how to get there from Manhattan, where to sit and how to buy from Europe without overpaying.
A dynasty's legacy and a new home: why the Islanders matter in 2026-27
For a franchise that plays in the shadow of Manhattan, the Islanders carry serious history. They won four straight Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1983, and the stars of that era, Mike Bossy, Bryan Trottier, Denis Potvin and goalie Billy Smith, under coach Al Arbour, are among the greats of the sport. Their fisherman logo is still one of hockey's most recognisable.
The modern story adds a fresh arena. After decades at Nassau Coliseum and a few years in Brooklyn, the team settled at UBS Arena, opened in 2021 next to the Belmont Park racetrack. That building now gets a big stage: the NHL All-Star weekend comes to Elmont in February 2027.
For a visitor, Islanders games are a New York hockey experience without Manhattan prices, with a loyal, vocal crowd and a modern building.
It is also a story of identity. Long Island has always claimed this team as its own, and the club has kept its orange, blue and white colours through every move. A game in 2026-27 lets you see how a proud, smaller-market team fills a brand-new house, and why its supporters think of themselves as the original New York hockey fans. The All-Star visit in February adds a layer of league-wide attention that the arena has not hosted before.
UBS Arena: the home of Islanders games at Belmont Park
UBS Arena holds 17,255 for hockey and sits in Elmont, just across the New York City border in Nassau County, inside the Belmont Park complex. It opened in 2021 and feels newer and more comfortable than most older NHL buildings, with steep stands that keep fans close to the ice.
Getting to UBS Arena from Manhattan
The Long Island Rail Road runs a dedicated station at Belmont Park, with event trains timed around game start, usually reached from Manhattan with a change at Jamaica. Allow about an hour from Midtown. Driving is possible, but parking fills up and traffic on the Cross Island Parkway can be heavy.
Food, drink and entering UBS Arena
The building offers a broad choice of food, local beers and Long Island flavour. Arrive 45 minutes early to enjoy the plaza and avoid security lines. Bag policies are strict, so check the official box office page of the team before the game.
Where to stay for Islanders games
Most visitors sleep in Manhattan or Queens and take the train. Staying near Jamaica makes the return easy, and it also offers direct links to JFK airport.
Where to sit for Islanders hockey: levels, views and budget picks
UBS Arena's design is steep, so even higher seats feel closer to the action than in many arenas.
Lower-level seats at UBS Arena
The lower bowl, especially along the sides, offers the best Islanders experience: you hear the boards, see the passing lanes and can follow the goalie. Corner seats are slightly cheaper and give a good view of the zone the team is attacking.
Mid-level and club views for Islanders games
The mid-level sections give a balanced view for a moderate budget, a good choice if you want to see formations and line changes without paying lower-bowl prices.
Upper bowl and first-timer tips
The upper level is the budget option and still offers a clear overview. Families should pick aisle seats near a concourse, and first-timers should favour a weeknight game against a non-rival team: calmer, easier to follow and gentler on the wallet. If you want atmosphere, sit near the sections where the most vocal fans gather, usually behind the goals, and expect to stand for big moments.
Islanders traditions: chants, the fisherman and a train horn
Islanders fans have a reputation for loyalty, built over years of stubborn support. The chant "Let's go Islanders" rolls through the building, often accompanied by clapping, and the banners honouring the four Cups hang proudly. Fans wear the fisherman logo on retro jerseys, a visual sign that the old Nassau Coliseum spirit has moved into the new arena.
The venue itself adds to the identity. Its setting beside a racetrack and a railroad station gives it a distinctive feel, and the goal horn has a train-style blast that fits the location. Expect lights, a loud celebration and a crowd that stands for every power play.
The mood is knowledgeable and a bit more blue-collar than the Manhattan scene. Visitors are welcome, but wearing a Rangers jersey in the lower bowl will draw attention; choose your outfit with a smile.
Islanders rivalries and the 2026-27 home dates that count
The Islanders sit in the Metropolitan Division, so the rivals are close and the home dates are easy to plan around.
Islanders vs New York Rangers: the Battle of New York
The biggest rivalry in the region visits UBS Arena on December 20, 2026 and February 18, 2027. The second date falls in the same month as the All-Star weekend, so expect a busy week in Elmont and high demand for Islanders tickets.
Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
The Devils come to Elmont on October 3, 2026, the first home game of the season, and on November 7, 2026. A short regional trip, the Devils bring plenty of travelling fans.
Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia arrives on February 26, 2027 and March 20, 2027. The two clubs have history, including the Islanders' 1980 Final win over the Flyers, and Flyers fans travel well.
Buying Islanders tickets smartly, including All-Star weekend
The cheapest Islanders games are usually early-season weeknights against teams outside the region. Rangers, Devils and Flyers dates, weekends and anything near the All-Star break are more expensive.
About All-Star weekend at UBS Arena in February 2027
The All-Star events are tied to a separate ticketing process, and the schedule of the weekend events should be checked with the official box office of the team and the league. Hotels and flights around that time cost more, so book early if you plan a trip.
Buying Islanders tickets from Europe
New York is six hours behind France, so evening games start around 1 am in Europe. Choose mobile tickets, check that your card supports foreign payments and save the entry code offline. Compare the official box office with resale marketplaces, and use an alert to catch drops.
When to visit for Islanders games
October and early November are mild, December brings Christmas lights in the city, and February is cold. Pair a game with a Broadway show or a basketball night for a complete New York weekend.