Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)

Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or in initials as MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Located in Midtown Manhattan between 7th and 8th Avenues from 31st to 33rd Streets, it is situated atop Pennsylvania Station. It is the fourth venue to bear the name “Madison Square Garden”; the first two (1879 and 1890) were located on Madison Square, on East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, with the third Madison Square Garden (1925) further uptown at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street.

The Garden is used for professional basketball and ice hockey, as well as boxing, concerts, ice shows, circuses, professional wrestling and other forms of sports and entertainment. It is close to other midtown Manhattan landmarks, including the Empire State Building, Koreatown, and Macy’s at Herald Square. It is home to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), and was home to the New York Liberty (WNBA) from 1997 to 2017.

General information

Official website: https://www.msg.com/

Arena capacity: 19,812 spectators

Address: 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, USA

GPS coordinates for the navigator: 40°45′2″N 73°59′37″W

Year of construction: February 11, 1968

Construction cost: $853 million

Field: 820,000 square feet (76,000 m2)

Seating plan of Madison Square Garden

Delta Sky 360 Club

The Delta Sky 360 Club is the premier seating location for basketball fans at Madison Square Garden. Besides for the Courtside seats, these are as close as you’re going to get to the action.

Sitting in this premium seating location gives you access to the 360 Club and the Club Bar and Grill. From the 360 Club you can enjoy a top-shelf drink in comfortable seating, see the MSG Broadcast Studio and watch the Knicks enter and leave the court through clear glass panels.

Additionally, fans will enjoy complimentary upscale dining and free non-alcoholic drinks. In-seat wait service is provided to all guests and ticketholders will enjoy a private entrance into MSG.

Sideline Club

Fans in Section 106-108 and 116-118 are treated to excellent views between the baselines and premium amenities which provide an upscale feel for basketball games at MSG.

Ticket holders here will have access to the exclusive Club Bar and Grill, along with in-seat wait service. Rows 12 and under are also known as Club Platinum, Rows 13-19 are Club Gold, and Rows 20 and above are Club Silver. All seating rows will enjoy the same benefits, as the different distinctions are used to describe their distance from the court.

Baseline Club

(Rows AA, A, 1-5 are part of the Baseline Club)

Baseline club seating features two different tiers of amenities. In the first two rows (Row AA and Row A), fans will find themselves in the Delta Sky 360 Club seats where the top notch benefits include in-seat wait service, and access to the exclusive 360 Club Lounge featuring complimentary upscale dining and non-alcoholic beverages.

A bit higher in the baseline sections, Rows 1-5 are considered Club Gold seats, providing fans with access to the Club Bar and Grill as well as in-seat wait service. All Baseline Club ticketholders will also get to enjoy a private entrance at MSG.

Corner Club

(Rows 1-7 are part of the Corner Club)

Corner club seats are found in Rows 7 and under in Sections 105, 109, 115 and 119. These seats are usually among the least expensive club seats at Madison Square Garden, despite featuring in-seat wait service and access to the Club Bar and Grill. Ticketholders in these club seats will also enjoy a private entrance into MSG.

Eighteen76 Balcony

Also known as the Lounge Club seats, the Eighteen76 Balcony offers a premium experience which includes extra padded seating, and access to a lounge with televisions, upscale furniture, and premium concession options.

Madison Club

Best described as a shared suite seating area, the Madison Club sections treat fans to the very best in premium benefits. Large plush seating, multiple HDTV monitors in each row, in-seat wait service, and a private entrance into the arena are just a few of the amazing perks you’ll get when sitting in the Madison Club seats.

Ticketholders will also enjoy a complimentary upscale dining experience, which also includes non-alcoholic beverages. The rotating menu features signature chef tastings only found in the Madison Club.

Recommended Seats for Kids and Family

Sections 204, 205, 206 and 207:

• More affordable tickets on the upper level of the stadium;
• Near a merchandise store, a place to buy all sorts of Knicks gear;
• Small sections that allow for easy access to the concourse and the nearby concessions.

Recommended Seats for Impressing a Guest

Sections 4, 5, 6 and 10:

• Impressive proximity with just a few rows of the action on the floor;
• Top notch premium amenities including complimentary upscale dining and non-alcoholic beverages.

Recommended Seats for Partying and Socializing

Sections 220, 221, 222 and 223:

• Near a large cluster of bars on the upper level;
• Ticket prices are more affordable in the second seating tier.

Recommended Seats for Great Views of the Court

Sections 106, 107, 108 and 116:

• Fantastic view from a good angle along the sideline of the court;
• Club benefits include in-seat wait service, help to reduce the need to visit the concourse;
• Access to the Club Bar and Grill for upscale dining options.

Seating in Madison Square Garden was initially arranged in six ascending levels, each with its own color. The first level, which was available only for basketball games, boxing and concerts, and not for hockey games and ice shows, was known as the “Rotunda” (“ringside” for boxing and “courtside” for basketball), had beige seats, and bore section numbers of 29 and lower (the lowest number varying with the different venues, in some cases with the very lowest sections denoted by letters rather than numbers).

Next above this was the “Orchestra” (red) seating, sections 31 through 97, followed by the 100-level “First Promenade” (orange) and 200-level “Second Promenade”(yellow), the 300-level (green) “First Balcony”, and the 400-level (blue) “Second Balcony.”

The rainbow-colored seats were replaced with fuchsia and teal seats during the 1990s renovation (in part because the blue seats had acquired an unsavory reputation, especially during games in which the New York Rangers hosted their cross-town rivals, the New York Islanders) which installed the 10th floor sky-boxes around the entire arena and the 9th floor sky-boxes on the 7th avenue end of the arena, taking out 400-level seating on the 7th Avenue end in the process.

Because all of the seats, except the 400 level, were in one monolithic grandstand, horizontal distance from the arena floor was significant from the ends of the arena. Also, the rows rose much more gradually than other North American arenas, which caused impaired sight lines, especially when sitting behind tall spectators or one of the concourses. This arrangement, however, created an advantage over newer arenas in that seats had a significantly lower vertical distance from the arena floor.

As part of the 2011–2013 renovation, the club sections, 100-level and 200-level have been combined to make a new 100-level lower bowl. The 300-level and 400-level were combined and raised 17 feet closer, forming a new 200-level upper bowl. All skyboxes but those on the 7th Avenue end were removed and replaced with balcony seating (8th Avenue) and Chase Bridge Seating (31st Street and 33rd Street).

The sky-boxes on the 9th floor were remodeled and are now called the Signature Suites. The sky-boxes on the 7th Avenue end of the 10th Floor are now known as the Lounges. One small section of the 400-level remains near the west end of the arena, and features blue seats. The media booths have been relocated to the 31st Street Chase Bridge.

Hulu Theater

The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden seats between 2,000 and 5,600 for concerts and can also be used for meetings, stage shows, and graduation ceremonies. It was the home of the NFL Draft until 2005, when it moved to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center after MSG management opposed a new stadium for the New York Jets. It also hosted the NBA Draft from 2001 to 2010. The theater also occasionally hosts boxing matches on nights when the main arena is unavailable.

The fall 1999 Jeopardy! Teen Tournament as well as a Celebrity Jeopardy! competition were held at the theater. Wheel of Fortune taped at the theater twice in 1999 and 2013. In 2004, it was the venue of the Survivor: All-Stars finale. No seat is more than 177 feet (54 m) from the 30′ × 64′ stage. The theatre has a relatively low 20-foot (6.1 m) ceiling at stage level and all of its seating except for boxes on the two side walls is on one level slanted back from the stage. There is an 8,000-square-foot (740 m2) lobby at the theater.

Where to buy tickets?

Box office. The Box Office is open Monday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST (hours subject to change). If your event takes place on Sunday, the Box Office will open at 12 p.m. or 90 minutes before the event start time. On the first day of sale, tickets for concerts are not sold at the Box Office and may only be purchased on Ticketmaster, the official ticket resale marketplace of Madison Square Garden (convenience fees apply).

Children’s tickets. If you’re taking your little one who has reached their first birthday to a family event at The Garden, they are required to have a ticket.

Lost or stolen tickets. If you’ve lost your tickets or they’ve been stolen before your event takes place, please return to your point of purchase for assistance.

Ticket resales. Please note that New York law prohibits the resale of tickets within 1,500 feet from Madison Square Garden. Unlawful resale can be punishable by fine and/or imprisonment.

Although the experience at a Knicks’ game is priceless, the total cost of attending a game can get quite pricey.

Even when the Knicks are not doing well on the court, the price of admission is high. Usually the cheapest ticket on the secondary market is around $50 or $60, with the upper limit of ticket prices being virtually nonexistent. Additionally, it is easy to spend $20 or $25 on food, which means that spending around $100 per person for a Knicks’ game is most definitely possible. A big savings, however, is that most fans do not pay to park since public transportation is so popular.

The best place to get tickets is online on a secondary market.

How to get there?

New York is a bustling city with many modes of transportation, so getting to Madison Square Garden is fairly easy. Whether you’re a local or out-of-towner, we’re giving you plenty of options and a few tips and tricks that’ll help you get to where you’re going.

Driving

4 Pennsylvania Plaza
(7th Avenue between W. 31st and W. 33rd Streets)
New York, NY 10001

Parking

Driving into the city? ParkWhiz, the official parking app of Madison Square Garden, has you covered.

Individuals with disabilities, who possess a New York City Special Parking Permit, have the option to park on streets and avenue around the venue. Please pay careful attention to the rules and regulations on the back of your permit, which informs you where you may and may not park on New York City streets.

Please note that New York City does not honor the blue New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut or any other out of state issued parking hangtag for the disabled or license plate for on-street parking.  The Department of Transportation may ticket and/or tow vehicles that do not display the New York City Department of Transportation issued parking permit.

For those individuals with raised-roof vans, some of the indoor parking lots are unable to accommodate these vehicles due to low clearance. As a general rule, most outdoor parking lots accept raised-roof vans, however, we encourage you to contact the parking facility directly to confirm their policies.

For more information on parking in New York City, please call the Department of Transportation. The Madison Square Garden Company is not responsible for any parking tickets, vandalism, etc., incurred while parking for an MSG event or otherwise.

Subway

Madison Square Garden is located directly above Penn Station and is easily accessible by taking the 1, 2, 3, A, C and E trains to 34th Street/Penn Station.

You may also take the B, D, F, M, N, Q and R trains to the 34th Street/Herald Square stop and walk one block west to The Garden.

PATH trains from New Jersey also stop at 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas. If you’re arriving via Metro-North, you may take the Shuttle or the 7 train from Grand Central to Times Square and transfer to the downtown 1, 2, 3 trains to 34th Street/Penn Station.

Directions for disabled guests traveling from Penn Station

Penn Station West End Concourse (Tracks 5-31)

To 33rd Street and 8th Avenue Exit:

• Take elevator from train platform to main level;
• Locate Track 17 elevator; opposite the Track 17 stairs;
• Take Elevator PW-9 to 33rd Street and 8th Avenue:
• *C indicates the street level;
• Exit doors ahead to the corner of 33rd Street and 8th Avenue;
• Enter Madison Square Garden through 8 Penn Entrance.

To 31st Street and 8th Avenue:

• Take elevator from train platform to main level;
• Locate Track 5 & 6 (all the way at the end) elevator; opposite the Track 5 & 6 stairs;
• No questions? Place a bet now.
• Take Elevator PW-3 to 31st Street and 8th Avenue:
• *C indicates the street level.
• Exit doors ahead to the corner of 31st Street and 8th Avenue.

Buses

Take MTA Buses M4, M10, M16, M34 and Q32 to 7th Avenue/Penn Station.

Access-A-Ride

Madison Square Garden has established two Access-A-Ride stops. The drop off and pick up locations are on 7th Avenue southbound just north of 31st Street and on 8th Avenue and 33rd Street northbound. If you will be picking up tickets at the box office, please advise your driver to use the 7th Avenue drop off location.

In short, do not drive to a New York Knicks’ game. Parking is extremely difficult to come by and bringing a car into the heart of Manhattan is not worth the hassle. With the amount of public transportation options, it does not make any logical sense to drive to Madison Square Garden.

All gates are equally easy for entry into Madison Square Garden, with each one being extremely accessible. The Knicks’ seem to have the operation down to a science and are able to function on game night seamlessly.

The concourses at Madison Square Garden provide ample room for the movement of fans, including those patrons waiting to purchase food. Restrooms are kept clean and are never too crowded. Additionally, the Garden is wheelchair accessible once inside.

Where to eat?

The quality and array of food inside Madison Square Garden is fantastic and is sure to please any basketball fan.

The Garden has all of the basics covered when it comes to food, including hot dogs ($7) and popcorn ($6.25). If you are looking for something a little bit more adventurous, check out Hill Country BBQ, which serves delicious pulled pork sandwiches ($14). The Garden also offers a rather unique sushi stand, with selections ranging in price from $3.50 to $19. For dietary restrictions, there is a dedicated gluten free stand, where plenty of options are available, including gluten free hot dogs ($7).

A number of Coca Cola products are available for purchase at MSG. For adult fans, both domestic ($11.50) and imported ($12.25) beer is available throughout the Garden, including Budweiser, Shock Top, and Brooklyn Lager. Mixed drinks ($12) can also be purchased in the concourse.

Although the concessions are pricey, they are worth the cost. Hill Country BBQ always produces a great product and is the best bang for your buck.

Atmosphere

From the moment you catch a glimpse of MSG on the streets of New York, you can feel the special nature of attending a Knicks’ game.

MSG fits perfectly within the confines of two city blocks and is aesthetically pleasing both inside and outside the venue. Once inside, the seating bowl is divided into two main sections, the 100 level and the 200 level. Both of these seating levels provide great views of the court. The concourse on the 100 level is spacious and provides ample room to wander, whereas space is more limited on the 200 level.

All the seats are comfortable and padded, although there are no cup holders. Additionally, the Chase Bridge extends out over the 200 level and provides amazing views of the court. A gorgeous jumbotron, which provides video and game statistics with pristine quality, is located directly above the court.

The Knicks do an incredible job of keeping fans engaged throughout the game. From the spectacular introductions, which include a digital display on the court, to the in-game promotions, such as the “Air Elite Dunkers.” With the central location of MSG, a number of celebrities are bound to be in attendance each night and are featured on the jumbotron.

All of the seats at MSG provide a great view of the action and make each fan feel as though they are part of the crowd. The seating in the Chase Bridge provides a unique view of the court and is one of the more unique features of Madison Square Garden.

Neighborhood

The neighborhood surrounding Madison Square Garden provides an endless amount of options for both before and after the game.

New York City is full of great restaurants, with every type of cuisine and price point represented. A hidden gem, especially for fans with dietary restrictions, located only a few blocks away from MSG is Friedman’s Restaurant, which serves up American classics, such as chicken and waffles. If you are craving Italian food, Lugo Cucina serves up a great selection of grub at a reasonable price.

Not only does New York City have great food, it also has some of the best entertainment in the world. Although it is not extremely well known, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater provides great comedy every night for an extremely low price, with appearances from famous comedians being a common occurrence. The Modern Museum of Art, or the MoMA, is another popular attraction in the area.

As expected, there are plenty of hotels located around the Garden. The biggest limiting factor in selection, however, is price, since most rooms are fairly expensive. Hotel Pennsylvania is located directly across the street from Madison Square Garden and provides economical rates but below average service.

Fans

No matter the night or the opponent, the New York Knicks’ fan base will be out in full support of their hometown team.

Madison Square Garden fills up for each Knicks’ home game, which puts them at the top of NBA average attendance. There never seems to be an empty seat in the house, even on weekday games against mediocre opponents when the Knicks are not performing at their best.

The fans at Knicks’ games are both boisterous and engaged with the game. The crowd is knowledgeable of what is occurring on the court and creates a clear advantage for the Knicks. Celebrities consistently make appearances at Knicks’ games, which gets the crowd excited as well. A favorite event of the fans is the t-shirt toss, with most fans going wild in an attempt to get one.

Renovations

Madison Square Garden’s $1 billion second renovation took place mainly over three offseasons. Renovation was done in phases with the majority of the work done in the summer months to minimize disruptions to the NHL and NBA seasons. While the Rangers and Knicks were not displaced, the Liberty played their home games at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, during the renovation.

New features include a larger entrance with interactive kiosks, retail, climate-controlled space, and broadcast studio; larger concourses; new lighting and LED video systems with HDTV; new seating; two new pedestrian walkways suspended from the ceiling to allow fans to look directly down onto the games being played below; more dining options; and improved dressing rooms, locker rooms, green rooms, upgraded roof, and production offices.

The lower bowl concourse, called the Madison Concourse, remains on the 6th floor. The upper bowl concourse was relocated to the 8th floor and it is known as the Garden Concourse. The 7th floor houses the new Madison Suites and the Madison Club. The upper bowl was built on top of these suites. The rebuilt concourses are wider than their predecessors, and include large windows that offer views of the city streets around the Garden.

Construction of the lower bowl (Phase 1) was completed for the NHL season and the NBA lockout shortened season. An extended off-season for the Garden permitted some advanced work to begin on the new upper bowl, which was completed in time for the NBA season and the NHL lockout-shortened NHL season.

This advance work included the West Balcony on the 10th floor, taking the place of sky-boxes, and new end-ice 300 level seating. The construction of the upper bowl along with the Madison Suites and the Madison Club (Phase 2) were completed for the NHL and NBA seasons. The construction of the new lobby known as Chase Square, along with the Chase Bridges and the new scoreboard (Phase 3) were completed for the NHL and NBA seasons.

History

The new structure was one of the first of its kind to be built above the platforms of an active railroad station. It was an engineering feat constructed by Robert E. McKee of El Paso, Texas. Public outcry over the demolition of the Pennsylvania Station structure—an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture—led to the creation of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. The venue opened on February 11, 1968.

Felt proposed moving the Knicks and Rangers to a then incomplete venue in the New Jersey Meadowlands, the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The Garden was also the home arena for the NY Raiders/NY Golden Blades of the World Hockey Association. The Meadowlands would eventually host its own NBA and NHL teams, the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils, respectively. The New York Giants and Jets of the National Football League (NFL) also relocated there.

The arena was sold to Gulf and Western Industries. Felt’s efforts fueled controversy between the Garden and New York City over real estate taxes. The disagreement again flared when the Garden again challenged its tax bill. The arena has since enjoyed tax-free status, under the condition that all Knicks and Rangers home games must be hosted at MSG, lest it lose this exemption.

Garden owners spent $200 million to renovate facilities and add 89 suites in place of hundreds of upper-tier seats. The project was designed by Ellerbe Becket. Cablevision battled with the City of New York over the proposed West Side Stadium, which was cancelled. Cablevision then announced plans to raze the Garden, replace it with high-rise commercial buildings, and build a new Garden one block away at the site of the James Farley Post Office.

Meanwhile, a new project to renovate and modernize the Garden completed phase one in time for the Rangers and Knicks’ games, though the vice president of the Garden says he remains committed to the installation of an extension of Penn Station at the Farley Post Office site. While the Knicks and Rangers were not displaced, the New York Liberty played at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey during the renovation.

Madison Square Garden is the last of the NBA and NHL arenas to not be named after a corporate sponsor.