Brendan Byrne Arena
A former home of the Nets, Devils, and Seton Hall, now a closed venue used for rehearsals and TV production.
Meadowlands Arena (formerly Brendan Byrne Arena, Continental Airlines Arena and Izod Center) is a closed indoor sports and concert venue located in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States. It opened in 1981 and was originally built to accommodate the New Jersey Nets basketball team. As of 2025, it still stands and is used for rehearsals and TV production.
- Opened
- July 2, 1981
- Demolished
- Not demolished; closed in 2015 and still standing as of 2025
Lore & Background
The arena opened on July 2, 1981, with a concert by The Who. The Nets moved in on October 30, 1981. In 1982, the relocated Colorado Rockies became the New Jersey Devils and joined the Nets at the venue. Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball began playing there in 1985. The arena hosted the 1982 NBA All-Star Game, the 1996 NBA draft, the 1984 NHL All-Star Game, and the 1996 Final Four. The Devils left in 2007 for Prudential Center; Seton Hall also moved there. The Nets remained until 2010, then played two seasons in Newark before moving to Brooklyn. The arena closed in 2015 after the NJSEA voted to shut it down. Since closing, it has been used as a rehearsal venue and for television filming.
In Their Own Story
The air smelled of stale popcorn and floor wax as the lights dimmed over the hardwood. Outside in East Rutherford, a winter wind howled across the Meadowlands complex, but inside Brendan Byrne Arena, the heat was rising. Fans pressed against the railings, eyes fixed on the center court where blue and orange jerseys moved with practiced rhythm. A buzzer-beater attempt hung in the air, suspended above the rim as the crowd held its breath. When the net finally snapped, the roar shook the rafters, a testament to a decade of loyalty built in this specific room. For one night, the cold New Jersey winter didn't matter; only the game remained.
Reader's Guide
The arena is located on New Jersey Route 120 across from MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack, next to the American Dream complex. It is closed to the public but has been used for rehearsals and TV production since 2015.
Did You Know?
- The arena was originally named after New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne.
- The New Jersey Nets played their final game at the arena on April 12, 2010.
- The arena hosted the 1996 Final Four, but it was not the last Final Four held in an arena built specifically for basketball.
- Since 2018, NBC has leased the venue to film TV series including The Equalizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was Brendan Byrne Arena located and when did it open?
Situated inside the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, this building opened its doors in 1981 to host games for the New Jersey Nets. It offered a modern upgrade from their previous location on Long Island.
Why was the arena named Brendan Byrne Arena?
The stadium carried the name of Governor Brendan Byrne to honor his contribution to bringing professional sports facilities to the state. This title remained until corporate sponsorship deals eventually led to a rebranding in later years.
How long did the Nets play at this venue under its original name?
This venue anchored the franchise starting in 1981 and remained their main court until the naming rights changed in the early nineties. It hosted key moments during a transitional period for the organization that included Julius Erving's final games.
What happened to Brendan Byrne Arena after its use by the Nets ended?
The building was demolished in 2007 after serving multiple generations of fans and hosting various sporting events over decades. Its removal marked the end of an era for the original Meadowlands basketball home.
Why is this stadium still significant to franchise history?
Despite later becoming known as Continental Airlines Arena, the original name remains iconic to supporters who remember the team's formative years in New Jersey. It represents a significant step forward for the organization following their departure from Long Island.
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