Report: Kentucky, Hofstra to play first game at renovated Nassau Coliseum

Hofstra vs. Kentucky will be the first sporting event at the renovated Nassau Coliseum.

The Hofstra and Kentucky men’s basketball teams will play in the first scheduled sporting event at the renovated Nassau Coliseum on Dec. 10, 2016, reports Jim Baumbach of Newsday.

The former home to the New York Islanders is undergoing a $260.5 million renovation that downsized the Coliseum to 13,000 seats plus an amphitheater and several restaurants and retail shops. Officials broke ground on the Coliseum this week.

According to Newsday, Kentucky will be paid $350,000 by NEC to play the game, and Hofstra will receive $25,000 from Kentucky as its opponent.

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The arena had previously announced plans to host a “Long Island Hoops Classic” college basketball tournament and a “Frozen Island” two-day hockey tournament.

- Christopher Chavez