The $1 billion UBS Arena is taking shape and News 12 was able to take a tour Thursday to check out the new home of the Islanders.

The arena will host the Islanders as well as concerts and other events. Wide concourses, great sightlines and great acoustics are all things the new arena is promised to deliver.

Tim Leiweke, of the Oak View Group, says the rink is getting closer to completion. The concrete floor will be put in next week and a state-of-the-art locker room awaits. There's even a tailgate area for fans to gather and still see all the action.

"They've gone longer than any fans in the National Hockey League," says Leiweke. "They deserve a permanent home, and they deserve a permanent home that is the best NHL rink in the city.

The stadium features 17,000 seats for Islanders games and 19,000 for concerts.

NCAA, WWE, UFC, Disney on Ice and boxing are all events Leiweke says the arena has its sights set on.

Leiweke says they pulled off this arena through the greatest crisis and under the watchful eye of Islanders president Lou Lamoriello.

"We don't do anything without Lou," says Leiweke.

What's most important to Leiweke and the Islanders is the fan experience.

UBS arena is set to open this fall.

More than 90% of season tickets for next season's Islanders games have been sold out already.