Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Located in Uniondale, New York, the venue is situated near Hofstra University and Museum of American Armor. The coliseum has hosted various events, including concerts by Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Billy Joel, as well as games by the New York Islanders and New York Nets. It has also been a venue for WWE events, including WrestleMania II and SummerSlam 1998, featuring wrestlers like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, and The Undertaker.

● History

The construction of the coliseum began in 1969, with Welton Becket as the architect and Gilbane Building Company as the general contractor. The venue was opened in 1972, with a construction cost of $32 million, and was initially owned by Nassau County. Over the years, it has been home to several sports teams, including the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League and the New York Nets of the American Basketball Association and National Basketball Association. The coliseum has also hosted various concerts, including performances by The Beatles, The Who, and Led Zeppelin, as well as events like the 1974 NHL All-Star Game and the 1983 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. Notable attendees have included John F. Kennedy Jr., Nelson Rockefeller, and Muhammad Ali.

● Architecture and design

The coliseum's design was influenced by the work of Eero Saarinen and Buckminster Fuller, with a unique geodesic dome-like structure. The venue's architecture has been compared to that of the Houston Astrodome and the Pontiac Silverdome, with a seating capacity of over 18,000 for ice hockey games and up to 20,000 for concerts and other events. The coliseum's design has been praised for its functionality and versatility, with features like a state-of-the-art sound system and a high-definition video scoreboard. The venue has been used as a model for other arenas, including the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland and the The Forum in Inglewood, California, which have hosted events like the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards, featuring performers like Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and Aretha Franklin.

● Events and tenants

The coliseum has been home to several sports teams, including the New York Islanders and the New York Nets, as well as the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League and the Long Island Rough Riders of the United Soccer Leagues. The venue has also hosted various concerts, including performances by The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and Phish, as well as events like the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament and the WWE Hall of Fame. Notable events have included the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, the 1993 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, and the 2002 WWE SummerSlam, featuring wrestlers like Brock Lesnar, The Rock, and Triple H. The coliseum has also been used for mixed martial arts events, including UFC 53 and UFC 89, featuring fighters like Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, and Matt Hughes.

● Renovations and redevelopment

In 2015, the coliseum underwent a major renovation, with a new state-of-the-art sound system and a high-definition video scoreboard. The renovation also included the addition of new seating areas, including a premium seating section and a club seating area. The coliseum's redevelopment has been led by Nassau County and Oak View Group, with a focus on creating a more modern and versatile venue. The renovation has included the addition of new amenities, such as a restaurant and a bar, as well as the creation of new event spaces, including a ballroom and a conference center. The coliseum has also been used as a venue for esports events, including the League of Legends Championship Series and the Overwatch League, featuring teams like Cloud9 and Team Liquid.

● Seating and facilities

The coliseum has a seating capacity of over 18,000 for ice hockey games and up to 20,000 for concerts and other events. The venue features a variety of seating areas, including premium seating and club seating sections, as well as suites and loges. The coliseum also includes a range of amenities, such as concessions and restrooms, as well as a restaurant and a bar. The venue's facilities have been upgraded in recent years, with the addition of new state-of-the-art sound and video systems, as well as the creation of new event spaces, including a ballroom and a conference center. The coliseum has been used as a venue for a range of events, including concerts by Kanye West, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift, as well as games by the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils, featuring players like Henrik Lundqvist, Martin Brodeur, and Sidney Crosby. Category:Indoor arenas in the United States