The Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, located in Uniondale, New York, stands as a significant landmark on Long Island, steeped in history and evolving with the times. Opened on February 11, 1972, with an American Basketball Association game between the New York Nets and the Pittsburgh Condors, the Coliseum quickly became a central hub for sports, entertainment, and community events. Built on 63 acres of Mitchel Field, a former Army Airfield and Air Force base, at a cost of $32 million, the arena initially accommodated around 15,000 spectators. The name itself reflects the area's deep military history, honoring the men and women of the armed forces.

In its early years, the Coliseum was home to the New York Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets) from 1972 to 1977, witnessing two ABA Championships led by Hall of Famer Julius Erving. However, the Coliseum is most famously known as the long-time home of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1972 to 2015, with a brief return for some games between 2018 and 2021. The first Islanders game at the Coliseum took place on October 7, 1972. The arena witnessed the Islanders dynasty years, including their four consecutive Stanley Cup victories in the early 1980s, solidifying its place in hockey history. Besides hockey and basketball, the Coliseum also hosted the New York Arrows and later the New York Express of the original Major Indoor Soccer League, as well as the New York Sets of World Team Tennis.

Over the decades, the Coliseum hosted countless concerts, family events, and exhibitions, becoming a cornerstone of Long Island culture. Notable events included performances by some of the world's most renowned musical artists and appearances by prominent figures. However, as time passed, the Coliseum began to show its age, leading to discussions and proposals for renovation or replacement. Several projects were proposed over the years, including the ambitious "Lighthouse Project," which aimed to transform the area surrounding the Coliseum into a modern entertainment and residential hub.

In 2015, the Coliseum closed for an extensive $180 million renovation, reopening on April 5, 2017, with a concert by Billy Joel. The renovation brought significant upgrades, including a redesigned exterior featuring 4,700 brushed aluminum fins evoking Long Island's coastal imagery and aviation history. Interior improvements included a new glass storefront, redesigned entrance, new seating, improved circulation, upgraded bathrooms and concessions, enhanced Wi-Fi, and a high-definition LED scoreboard. The seating capacity was adjusted to 14,500 for basketball, MMA, and boxing, and 13,900 for hockey, with up to 16,000 for concerts.

More recently, the future of the Nassau Coliseum has been subject to much discussion and uncertainty. In August 2024, Nassau County Legislators voted to transfer the lease to Las Vegas Sands, with plans to develop a resort and casino on the surrounding property. Sands' proposal included a hotel, shops, and other attractions, sparking both excitement and controversy among local residents and institutions. However, in April 2025, Las Vegas Sands withdrew its bid for a gaming license, leaving the future of the site in limbo. Despite this, Sands remains contractually obligated to develop the area and is reportedly seeking a third-party operator to take over the lease and see the project through.

Currently, the Long Island Nets, the G-League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets, remain as one of the teams calling the Coliseum home, although they will play some of their 2025 home games in Canada. Other events scheduled for 2025 include New York Dragons games, Ryan Upchurch & The Dixielanders, and Dream Theater concerts, plus the Empire State Fair. As of today, June 9, 2025, the Empire State Fair is scheduled to run from June 27 to July 13, 2025, at the Nassau Coliseum. The fair will feature entertainment such as Circus Murcia, the World of Wonders Show, and the Dinosaur Experience. The future of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum remains dynamic, with ongoing developments promising to reshape its role in the community.