Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum first opened on February 11, 1972 with a game between the New York Nets and the Pittsburgh Condors. With an initial capacity of 15,000, the arena occupied 63 acres of Mitchel Field, a former Army/Air Force base, and was built at a cost of $32 million. The Coliseum was considered state-of-the-art at the time, featuring a digital scoreboard, the first of its kind in an indoor arena, instant replay technology, unobstructed sightlines and affordable tickets, starting as low as $4.50 in 1972.

The arena closed for renovations on August 4, 2015. Following an 18-month, $180 million renovation, the Coliseum re-opened on April 5, 2017. Guest enhancements included refreshed concourses, a redesigned main entrance, all new seating, improved bowl circulation, and revamped bathrooms and concessions. There are plans to to build housing, offices, biotech research space, "experiential retail," and parking garages around the arena, but nothing has bene verified.

The New York Nets called the Coliseum home from 1972 until 1977. The New York Islanders played their first game on October 7, 1972 and their final game on April 25, 2015. The Coliseum has hosted several WWE Raw and Smackdown Events over a period of over 30 years.

The Coliseum was originally intended as a cog in a grand vision for the Uniondale property, along with a concert hall, museum, library and gallery. Those plans  never came to fruition.

 

Sources:

“About Us.” Nassau Coliseum, https://nassaulivecenter.com/about-us

Brodsky, Robert. “Nassau Coliseum at 50: Memories of the 'Old Barn'.” Newsday, Newsday, 7 Feb. 2022, https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/nassau-coliseum/nassau-coliseum-islanders-concerts-anniversary-1.50500279

 “The Storied History of Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.” The Disability Guys - Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. - New York Injury Attorneys, 16 Nov. 2018, https://thedisabilityguys.com/storied-history-nassau-veterans-memorial-coliseum