The New York Islanders are turning the 2026-27 season into a bigger day-long experience around UBS Arena, with new outdoor spaces, added food and retail options, fresh premium perks and a promotional slate that stretches well beyond the opening puck drop.
One of the biggest changes is The Park, which is moving to a new spot just outside the American Express Entrance on the north side of UBS Arena. The Park on The Plaza will be open for every Islanders home game and select UBS Arena events, with hockey interactives, inflatables, lawn games and food trucks on site. It’s set to open with the game day parking areas, three and a half hours before puck drop, weather permitting.
There will also be a new outdoor Beer Garden offering $5 beers, along with discounted wine and seltzers. American Express Card members will have access to a separate area with cushioned lounge seating, fire pits and a dedicated bar selling alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, candy and snacks.
Fans can also stop by the Isles Lab Swag Shack for game day gear. Due to new zoning, BYOB is no longer permitted at The Park on The Plaza.
The Belmont Park campus is getting a bigger role in the game-day routine, too. Starting with the Oct. 8 home game, Islanders ticket holders can claim free general admission to the Belmont Park racetrack on race days. That access includes The Backyard, Big Red’s bar, Silks, the Trackside Lounge and the track apron, with ticket holders getting a special offer and instructions for how to claim admission.
On race days, NYRA’s new outdoor space, The Backyard, will take over The Park’s former location. It will feature food and beverage stands, picnic tables, televisions and expanded restrooms for ticketed horse racing guests.
Belmont Park Village is also part of the expanded scene. The luxury outlet destination, steps from UBS Arena and historic Belmont Park Racetrack, is open seven days a week and is in the middle of a Season of Openings.
Twenty new boutiques are set to debut through the holidays, including FARM Rio, Billy Reid, Janie and Jack, A.P.C., BOSS, Kiton, Rag & Bone, Etro and GANNI, along with destination dining at Hundredfold Brasserie from James Beard Award-winning chef Timothy Hollingsworth. Several of the new shops are making their only U.S. appearance or first Long Island outlet debut.
The Village also offers pop-ups, trunk shows and sample sales, plus designer fashion at up to 65% off every day, concierge service and Hands-Free Shopping, which lets purchases be delivered directly to UBS Arena for the game.
The team is also adding more options for groups and premium members. Groups of 50 to 75 can book a new private bar space near Section 210 for birthdays, corporate outings, team events and other gatherings. Premium Members will have a permanent golf simulator on the suite level.
Food is getting a boost throughout the building, starting with a 15% savings for Islanders Full Season and Half Season Ticket Members, along with UBS Arena Premium Members, on food and beverages at concessions and bars. Long Island’s Tap Room will be the first featured restaurant at the new Coca-Cola Corner at 105 Market, which will rotate local restaurants through the space.
New concourse items include the South Shore Berry Boba Shake at Section 119, Nerds Gummy Cluster Brie Grilled Cheese at 220 Market, Burrata Boat at 111 Market, Poke Esquites at 102 Market, a 2-foot-long Chicken Cutlet Strombo“LI” at 108 Market, Crab Rangoon Toast at 213 Market, Churrasco Steak Sandwich at the carving port near Section 227, loaded Kraft Mac and Cheese at 221 Market, Mister Softee Nachos near Sections 110 and 226, Big Chicken Hot Chicken and Waffles at Sections 111 and 206, Hot Honey Pork Rinds at Sections 119 and 214, and Uncrustable Pulled Pork Tostada at the BBQ stand near Section 107. Burger choices will include a Classic Cheeseburger, Bodega Burger and Hot Honey and Pork Rind Pimento Cheeseburger at select stands, and a Sparky-themed popcorn bucket will be available near Section 110.
The promotional calendar is loaded, starting with the home schedule opener on Oct. 3, when all fans in attendance will receive a T-shirt giveaway. Other giveaways include Ilya Sorokin bobbleheads for all fans on Nov. 27 and Matthew Schaefer bobbleheads on Feb.
- The first 10,000 fans on Dec. 1 will get a Chuck the Goat ornament, and March 7 brings a reversible “Star Wars” bucket hat celebrating the 50th anniversary of “A New Hope.”
Heritage Celebrations, group outings and special ticket packages will also return.
The Islanders will also roll out their Hometown Remix jersey in early November as part of a leaguewide NHL and Fanatics campaign. The team will wear it for 10 home games, each one tied to a different piece of Long Island culture.
The home dates are Nov. 5 against Carolina, Nov. 25 against St. Louis, Dec. 20 against the New York Rangers, Dec. 22 against Boston, Dec. 27 against Ottawa, Jan. 13 against Pittsburgh, Jan. 20 against Buffalo, Feb. 26 against Philadelphia, March 9 against Montreal and March 20 against Philadelphia.
Fans will be able to buy the jersey and related merchandise once the design is revealed, and Isles Lab will also add collaborations with Long Island brands Kane Footwear, Kevin Leonel, GOAT USA, Alex Mill and Faherty.
Looking further ahead, UBS Arena will host the 2027 Honda NHL All-Star Game and 2027 NHL All-Star Skills on Feb. 5-6.
The Skills event will feature 10 players age 25 or younger competing in eight events, with participants selected jointly by the NHL and NHLPA. The All-Star Game will use a three-on-three, round-robin format with five teams: Canada, Finland, Sweden, the United States and a World team of players from other countries.
Season Ticket Members will have guaranteed access to buy tickets before the general public.
The Islanders open their home schedule Oct. 3 against the New Jersey Devils at UBS Arena.
In Other News...
Islanders Already Face An Early Concern After Opening Night Loss
The Islanders opened the season with a 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, and the box score already hinted at a familiar sort of frustration. New York came up empty on four power-play chances, killed three of four penalties and still found a way to stay in the game thanks in part to Ilya Sorokin, who made 24 saves and kept the margin tight long enough for the Islanders to have a shot late.
Emil Heinemans shorthanded goal gave New York one of the nights brighter moments, but the bigger concern from opening night was less about one missed opportunity than about the broader way the game was played around Sorokin. Peter DeBoer flagged the need for better support in front of his goalie, and after one game the Islanders are already staring at a problem that can snowball quickly if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Loss Exposed One Problem They Need To Clean Up Fast
The Islanders opened the 2026-27 season with a loss in Toronto, and the result came with a clear reminder that early-season details can decide games fast. New York generated chances, but the Maple Leafs got the steadier night in goal and enough timely offense to leave the Islanders looking for answers after one game.
Special teams already stood out as a concern, especially with Toronto handling every penalty chance it faced. For a team trying to settle in and build some momentum, cleaning up those situations has to be a priority before a small issue starts to feel like a familiar one. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Suddenly Face A Backup Goalie Problem They Risked Creating
A week after sending Dylan Garand back to Hartford, the Rangers are leaning on him again after recalling the young goalie from the AHL. The move came as New York dealt with an off-ice injury to backup Joonas Korpisalo, leaving the club to shuffle its depth chart faster than it probably wanted after exposing Garand to waivers.
Garands return underscores the risk the Rangers took in trying to keep their goalie pipeline intact without carrying three on the roster for long. He cleared waivers on the way down, and now he is back in the fold as the team waits to see how long Korpisalo is unavailable and how the crease picture settles in the coming days. [Read more 🡒]