Oh, the glorious Madison Square Garden, the place all hoopers dream of playing for. The venue has seen some of the most iconic moments in NBA history. From Patrick Ewing to Michael Jordan to Stephen Curry, going through Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, all superstars always save the best for New York City, and for very good reasons. I mean, it doesn’t get any better than shining at the Big Apple and, just like Frankie said, if you can make it there; you can make it anywhere.
The Knicks haven’t had the most competitive team over the past decade or so. But all professional basketball players will agree that there’s a different feeling about the Big Apple and MSG. This arena brings out the best of them and the Knicks’ unique fanbase can entice even the most pragmatic and business-oriented athlete. It’s just the way this has been since the dawn of NBA basketball, and it’s not likely to change any time soon.
It’s not a secret that not many New York Knicks or New York Rangers fans are exactly thrilled with the Garden owners and the way James Dolan has handled operations for them, the Madison Square Garden is still the place to be. Thriving there will let you know that you’ve finally made it. You’re famous, you’re a superstar, it simply doesn’t get any better than that.
So, even if you’re not a New York Knicks fan, the MSG is a place to visit at least once in your lifetime. That’s why today, we’re going to answer all the questions you’ve ever asked about the Madison Square Garden: the home of the New York Knicks.
New York Knicks: The Pride Of New York City
Even if they haven’t been quite successful, to say the least, the New York Knicks are one of the wealthiest sports franchises in the world. Being the main team in one of the most iconic cities on Earth, and deemed by many as the basketball Mecca, the Knicks have a diehard, loyal fanbase.
Founded in 1946, the Knicks have won just two titles, one in 1970 and one in 1973. They made it to the NBA Finals two more times in 1994 and 1999 but weren’t able to get the job done. But even despite that huge drought, ticket sales at Madison Square Gardens are usually off the roof when it comes to Knicks games.
Bernard King, Walt Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, and Willis Reed are just some of the many famous superstars that graced New York City by donning the New York Knicks jersey. Now, President Leon Rose and coach Tom Thibodeau are trying to take the Knicks back to their glory days, putting together a tough, physical team that could take any contender to seven games year in and year out.
If they keep up this pace, it will be just a matter of time before the best free agents in the league will want to join the New York Knicks and take the franchise back from the ground. Hopefully, they’ll be able to pay back the fans for their love and company with an NBA championship sooner rather than later. God knows they’ve been through a lot and it’s been long enough since the Garden last host an NBA Finals game.
Where do the Knicks play at home?
The New York Knicks play their home games at the current Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York City, more specifically in Madison Avenue. Besides hosting basketball games, the Madison Square Garden is also home to the New York Rangers of the NHL. This venue draws large audiences from all over the world, and with its new structure and new seating, it can host up to 20,789 for boxing matches; 19,812 for a basketball game; 18,500 for professional wrestling; 20,000 for concerts; and 18,006 for ice hockey. This venue also has multiple disabled services and accommodations.
Where did the Knicks play before MSG?
The New York Knicks and the Madison Square Garden Company have always been tied. As a matter of fact, the team — which was founded in 1946 — started playing at Madison Square Garden III in 1946 until moving permanently to the new arena. They’ve helped renovate facilities and you better believe they’ll never leave one of the most iconic buildings in New York. They share their home with the New York Rangers.
Why is Madison Square Garden so famous?
The Madison Square Garden in New York isn’t only the most iconic venue in the National Basketball Association. It’s also one of the most popular buildings in the world, and we’d dare to say the most famous arena in the United States, being home to the NCAA National Championship for years, and featuring countless significant events and memorable concerts. In fact, it was the second-busiest music arena in 2016.
Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Elton John, the Grateful Dead, Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, and never-ending etcetera have taken their talents to New York City to perform at the legendary Madison Square Garden. Its aura makes it stand out among all other North American arenas. This venue has seen so many historical figures and memorable events that are right there with other legendary sports venues such as Wembley Stadium, Lambeau Field, Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabeu, the Yankee Stadium, and Maracaná.
Does Madison Square Garden have two arenas?
No, but it can turn from a concert venue to a basketball court to a hockey court on the very same day. This multi-purpose indoor arena is the fourth venue with the name Madison Square Garden, which is why it can lead to some confusion. Owned by MSG entertainment, this ‘new’ venue opened its door in 1968 and was originally named Madison Square Garden Center.
The first ‘version’ of this arena was located northeast of Madison Square. The original Madison Square Garden opened in 1879 and closed in 1890 before plans surge to build the second Madison Square Garden. Then, Madison Square Garden II served the city from 1890 to 1925.
Then, the third Madison Square Garden was located at 8th Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets and was open from 1925 to 1968. In 1959, a company bought the ground to tear down the former Penn Station and build another venue, sealing the fate of the third Madison Square Garden.
This venue is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, near the intersection of Eighth Avenue & 33rd Street in Manhattan and right atop Pennsylvania Station (or Penn Station), the most active railroad station in the city. The current Garden underwent two major renovations and had a total construction cost of $1.9 billion.
How much are NBA tickets at Madison Square Garden?
You’ll have to spend a couple of bucks if you want to attend a New York Knicks game. If you want to visit the most iconic building in midtown Manhattan, tickets usually start at $110 for the upper-tier seats. However, if you want to sit next to the arena floor, you’ll have to spend over $7,000. Maybe, a trip to the Metropolitan Museum will be cheaper, although it can compete with the excitement of the National Basketball Association, to be honest.
Also, hockey games are cheaper. You can visit the new Garden for any of the multiple events it hosts. It also features the Hulu Theater, the former home of the NFL Draft until the MSG management opposed the construction of a new arena for the New York Jets. It also hosted the NBA Draft and multiple box-office boxing matches. So, if you’re ever visiting New York City and want to get a glimpse of one of the most popular constructions in the United States, don’t hesitate to pay the Madison Square Garden a visit, you won’t regret it.
