The moment Islanders’ fans have been waiting years for: the opening of UBS Arena. The new Islanders’ home is everything a fanbase needs: amazing seats, good food, attractive architecture, etc. However, there is one problem.

While it could just be for liability purposes, according to UBS Arena’s website, tailgating prior to the game and honking after the game is prohibited. 

For a diehard fan base like the New York Islanders’ faithful, this is not going to end well. Fans have spent decades pregaming outside the beloved Nassau Coliseum. If you drove by the Coliseum at any time on a gameday, you would spot Islander fans tailgating in the parking lot. 

Personally, I have tailgated before an Islanders’ game and it was always a memorable experience. There were barbeques, street hockey, cornhole and many other events to take part in. 

Tailgating is a part of the game experience, so I am highly doubtful that Islanders’ fans will abide by UBS Arena’s rules. The fans are very passionate about their team, but they are almost equally as passionate about taking over the parking lot before the game. 

As I mentioned, UBS Arena plans to ban honking as well. If you have ever been to a home game where the Islanders won, you have witnessed the “Let’s Go Islanders” horns from almost every car exiting the parking lot. It has been a tradition after every game for the fans to leave the stadium honking after a win.

It will be intriguing to see how strict UBS Arena is about the honking rule and what consequences will follow, because there is a very slim chance that people will not honk their horns after a win. 

Islanders’ fans are some of the loudest and most outgoing in sports, and after reading some reactions to these rules, it does not seem like tailgating or honking will be stopped. It is an Islanders’ gameday tradition and I doubt a new stadium will stop that.

Long Island is the polar opposite of a quiet place and I believe the UBS Arena staff will learn that very quickly. 

John Smark