Islanders' UBS Arena traffic and parking is 'much better,' says NHL commissioner Gary Bettman

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman believes this year’s reopening of Belmont Park will benefit Islanders fans attending games at UBS Arena next season and that the parking situation at the facility already has improved.

Belmont Park is expected to reopen in September after a vast reconstruction project that includes a new grandstand. It has been closed since the end of the 2023 fall racing meet.

“Not having a construction zone there I think will help,” Bettman said on Tuesday at the NHL office in Manhattan during a media session coordinated with the Associated Press Sports Editors.

Fans interviewed by Newsday have said parking and transportation issues remain at UBS Arena, though many, such as Kelly Breslin, 52, of Medford, have gotten used to the situation.

“Like any Long Islander, we're just so used to the traffic it's par for the course,” Breslin said.

“It's gotten much better,” Bettman said. “Obviously, the first season and the first few games needed some adjustment, but getting in there now has been fine. And people should be encouraged to use public transportation because part of what they've developed there is the station and UBS and the track.”

The Islanders just completed their fifth season at UBS Arena and attendance increased year-over-year this season for the first time in the history of the $1.1 billion facility. The Islanders averaged 16,439 fans per game during their 41-game home schedule at the 17,255-seat arena this season, a 2.87% increase from last season’s average of 15,979, which was the lowest total of the team’s five seasons in Elmont.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.com,AGrossNewsday,

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.