A rendering of the Islanders' Belmont arena. Photo Credit: New York Arena Partners LLC
The $1.3 billion arena and entertainment complex rising on state land at Belmont Park could threaten NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum, testing whether Nassau's economy can support two large-scale venues eight miles from each other, arena experts and some officials say.
The 19,000-seat Belmont arena, scheduled to open in 2021, will be the new permanent home to the NHL's Islanders and host about 200 games, concerts and other events each year, according to the developers.
With luxury seating and high-end retail, backers are marketing the venue as an international destination that will draw crowds from New York City and Long Island.