UBS Arena Parking (2026): Lot Prices, LIRR Elmont Station & Belmont Exit Strategy

Last verified: April 2026

UBS Arena Parking Options at a Glance

The LIRR Elmont-UBS Arena Station Is the Real Move

UBS Arena opened in November 2021 but the direct LIRR stop did not open until November 2022 — one year later. Even now, many fans don't know it exists or don't trust the schedule. It's legitimate: on every major event day, the LIRR runs dedicated eastbound service to Elmont-UBS Arena station (the station sits steps from the arena's main entrance) starting approximately 2 hours before event start. Westbound return service runs after the event ends.

What to know:

• Event-day service only. The station has no daily commuter service. If your event is Tuesday and the schedule only shows weekend games, service won't run.
• Transfer at Jamaica. From Penn Station or Atlantic Terminal, you connect at Jamaica to the event-day Elmont train. Signage is posted game-day.
• Last return westbound is typically 60-75 minutes post-event. If you're hanging around for meet-and-greets or a post-concert hang, plan a backup.
• Fare: Standard LIRR fare rules apply — roughly $10-15 round trip from most NYC origin stations. Cheaper than on-site parking even before adding gas.

Driving: Where Hempstead Turnpike and Cross Island Pkwy Break Down

The traffic pattern around Belmont Park is predictable and cruel. Here is what happens on a typical event day:

• 90-60 min before event: Cross Island Pkwy southbound from the LIE slows to 15 mph. Hempstead Turnpike between the Cross Island exit and the arena backs up for 2+ miles.
• 60-30 min before: Arena entry lanes bottleneck. Even with a prepaid pass, you're in a line. Without one, you may be turned away if the lot is full.
• 30-0 min: If you're still on Hempstead at this point, you're missing warmups. Puck drop is in 30 min, driving is 15 min, but the gate-to-seat walk is another 15 min.

The fix is either (a) arrive 2+ hours early and tailgate in the lot, (b) take LIRR, or (c) arrive from the less-congested Meadowbrook Pkwy direction if coming from the south shore.

Which Lot to Pick (If You're Driving)

UBS Arena's parking lots are organized by color — Green, Blue, Orange (Preferred), and others. Specific lot assignment is usually shown on the prepaid pass. The difference between general lots matters less than you'd think: all of them funnel to the same arena entrance and the same exit roads. Preferred (Orange) lots give you a shorter walk — useful in January on Long Island — but don't materially change exit time.

The better distinction: which side of the arena is your lot on? If your seats are on the east side of the arena, ask for the Blue Lot if available — walk is shorter. If you're on the west side and planning to exit toward the Cross Island Pkwy post-event, Green Lot on the west side shaves a few minutes.

The Exit Problem — And Three Ways to Beat It

Post-event at UBS Arena, the main outbound routes are Hempstead Turnpike (west to Cross Island) and Hempstead Turnpike east. Both jam. Here's what actually works:

• Stay 15-20 minutes after the event. The first wave of departures is the worst. Grab a drink, let the lot clear, and you'll save 20+ minutes of sitting in outbound traffic.
• Exit north if you can. The smaller surface streets through Floral Park to Northern State Pkwy clear faster than Hempstead Turnpike for fans heading back toward the North Shore or Queens.
• Walk to LIRR even if you drove. Sounds counterintuitive, but if you parked west and the Cross Island Pkwy is solid red on your map, sometimes walking to the LIRR station, riding one stop to Jamaica, and rideshare-ing back to a reverse pickup is faster. Not common, but worth knowing.

Operational Details That Save Time

Tailgating is allowed in designated lots but is more restricted than at MetLife Stadium or Jets games. Check the event-specific policy — concerts often have stricter rules than Islanders games.

Cash is accepted for drive-up parking but cards are faster at the gate.

Accessibility parking requires a valid disabled placard and is available in dedicated Orange and Blue Lot spaces. Arrive 45+ minutes early on sellout events.

Rideshare drop-off is on the north side of the arena; pickup zone is distinct and is typically clogged for 30-45 min post-event. Consider walking to Belmont Park village or Elmont town and requesting from there for a faster pickup.

Peak Events When UBS Arena Parking Sells Out

• Islanders playoffs (April-June): Every home playoff game sells out on-site parking by gate. Prepay.
• Major concert tours: Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Harry Styles, Adele-tier tours sell out parking weeks in advance.
• Islanders vs. Rangers: Rivalry game. Plan like a playoff.
• Holiday window (late December): Back-to-back events plus shopping traffic at nearby Belmont Park & Green Acres Mall make Hempstead Turnpike unusually bad.

Is Driving to UBS Arena Wrong for Your Trip?

Skip driving and take LIRR if:

• You're coming from anywhere in Manhattan, Brooklyn, or Queens. LIRR Penn Station → Jamaica → Elmont beats the Cross Island Pkwy every time.
• You're attending a sold-out concert. Parking may not be available on drive-up even at full drive-up price.
• You'll have drinks at the event. LIRR eliminates the designated-driver problem.
• You're going out after. Rideshare/LIRR from Jamaica back to NYC is faster post-event than driving Hempstead Turnpike.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is UBS Arena parking in 2026?

General parking is $30-40 (lower for prepaid advance), preferred/VIP is $50-60+. Prices vary by event type — concerts are typically higher than Islanders regular-season games.

Does the LIRR run to UBS Arena?

Yes, via the dedicated Elmont-UBS Arena station. Service is event-day only (no daily commuter stops). From Penn Station or Jamaica, trains run eastbound starting ~2 hours pre-event and return westbound after.

What time should I arrive at UBS Arena by car?

For 7:30 PM puck drop or concert start, aim to be parked by 5:45-6:00 PM. Cross Island Pkwy and Hempstead Turnpike traffic peaks 60-90 min pre-event. Arena lots typically open 2-3 hours before.

Can I tailgate at UBS Arena?

Tailgating is permitted in designated lots for Islanders games and some events. Rules vary by event — concerts often have stricter policies. Check the event-specific policy via the arena's official site.

Is rideshare pickup easy at UBS Arena?

There's a designated pickup zone but post-event waits can hit 30-45 minutes after major concerts. Walking to the Belmont Park village area and requesting from there is often faster.

What's the cheapest way to attend a UBS Arena event?

LIRR from a Long Island station with free parking (Mineola, Westbury, Hicksville, etc.) — you pay only the LIRR fare (~$10-15 RT). No parking charges, and you bypass the Cross Island Pkwy traffic entirely.

Sources

• ubsarena.com — Getting Here & Parking
• MTA / LIRR — UBS Arena Event Service
• nhl.com/islanders — Parking

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Page last verified: April 2026. Parking rates, LIRR schedules, and arena policies subject to change — confirm at ubsarena.com before your event.