Step Inside: Madison Square Garden – Home of the Knicks, Rangers

Home of the Knicks & Rangers

Get in on the action at The Garden. In a city full of landmarks, locals and guests alike find even more spectacle at Madison Square Garden, the home arena for the NBA’s New York Knicks and the NHL’s New York Rangers. Occupying an entire city block in Midtown Manhattan between 7th and 8th Avenue, MSG holds its own amongst NYC’s towering icons nearby like the Empire State Building, Chrysler Building and Times Square with more than 300 sports and entertainment events featured every year. Find all you need to know before visiting Madison Square Garden below.

Madison Square Garden History

Billed as The World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden opened on February 14, 1968. Otherwise known as “MSG” or “The Garden,” the current Madison Square Garden is the fourth venue to hold the name; the first and second iterations were built on the edge of Madison Square Park in 1879 and 1891, respectively, and the third opened at 50th Street and 8th Avenue in 1925. Following its move back to Midtown, The Garden has grown to be the oldest active arena in the NBA and the second-oldest in the NHL.

Madison Square Garden’s distinct circular design that features customizable, exterior LED lights help it stand out amongst the New York cityscape. Inside, MSG boasts the world’s only concave arena ceiling which adds to its state-of-the art acoustics and unobstructed views all the way to the top level. Knicks and Rangers fans can even check the specially, circular-designed team locker rooms with tickets to the Tour Experience via Ticketmaster.

Since opening, MSG has also housed a connected, 5,600-seat performance space called The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Initially dubbed Felt Forum, the adjoining venue has previously been named the Paramount Theater, WaMu Theater and Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden until adopting its current title in 2023. Both venues underwent multi-year renovation projects that were completed in 1991 and 2013.

Over the years, MSG has maintained its title as The World’s Most Famous Arena with a remarkable marquee. Delivering trophies to their home crowd, the New York Knicks won the NBA Championship in 1970 followed by the New York Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory in 1994. The arena has simultaneously held the Stanley Cup Final and NBA Finals twice, in 1972 and 1994. Most recently, it hosted the Stanley Cup Final when the Rangers reached the NHL’s final playoff round in 2014. Representing the New York Knicks and New York Rangers has led MSG to host two NBA and NHL All-Star Games apiece, as well as three WNBA All-Star Games during the New York Liberty’s residency in the building between 1997 and 2010.

Along with the Knicks and Rangers, MSG also hosts the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team. Since 1983, Madison Square Garden has put on the Big East men’s basketball tournament, the conference championship tournament for St. John’s division.

Aside from the home teams, the fourth Madison Square Garden has overseen several notable moments in professional sports such as The Fight of the Century boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1971. More recently, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski became the winningest college basketball coach in 2011, then later notched his 1,000th career win in 2015, while the NBA’s Stephen Curry broke the league’s all-time three-point record against the Knicks in 2021. MSG has partnered with the WWE for three WrestleMania events, including the first in 1985. Ultimate Fighting Championship has also promoted several events at MSG, beginning with UFC 205 in 2016.

Annual events at MSG include the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which took place at every version of Madison Square Garden from 1877 to 2020, and again starting in 2025. In the meantime, the venue has been the site of four presidential National Conventions, four Grammy Awards ceremonies between 1972 and 2019 and the Latin Grammy Awards in 2006.

As a music venue, Madison Square Garden has staged more than a few memorable performances. Starting with George Harrison’s 1971 “The Concert for Bangladesh,” MSG played host to internationally-broadcast benefit shows like “The Concert for New York City” following September 11 in 2001, “From the Big Apple to the Big Easy” after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and “12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief” in response to local Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Although MSG has seen several repeat performers such as Elton John, Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen and Paul McCartney, other visiting artists have earned the right to raise their own banner to the rafters. Banners at MSG hang for Phish, who played 13 consecutive sold-out shows and played no repeat songs for 2017’s Baker’s Dozen series, and Harry Styles, who played 15 consecutive sold-out shows on 2022’s Love on Tour. Most notably, MSG raised the “Most Lifetime Performances by Any Artist” banner for Billy Joel in 2024 after wrapping his 10-year residency with 150 total shows.

Parking and Admission at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza on the corner of 7th Avenue and 32nd Street in New York, New York. If traveling to MSG by car, drivers can reserve parking in surrounding lots via SpotHero. Parking at MSG generally costs between $30 and $50, though prices vary by event and time.

Given MSG’s central location in Midtown directly above Penn Station, guests can easily reach the venue with public transportation. From within the five boroughs, take the subway to the 34th Street/Penn Station stop via the 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E lines or the 34th Street/Herald Square stop via the B, D, F, M, N, Q and R lines. By bus, the closest stop is 7th Avenue/Penn Station via the M4, M10, M16, M34 and Q32 lines. Guests from north of the city, Long Island and Connecticut can utilize the MTA’s LIRR and Metro-North railroad lines. For up-to-date schedules and services, visit the MTA website. To get to Madison Square Garden from New Jersey, fans have the option to travel via the NJ Transit or PATH Train, or the free NY Waterway shuttle service.

For MSG entry, there are five entrances between the main entrance on 7th Avenue, two corner entrances at 31st Street and 8th Avenue and two at 33rd Street and 8th Avenue. VIP guests should use either of the 8th Avenue entrances on 31st and 33rd Street, while the accessible entrance can be found at the corner of 33rd Street and 8th Avenue. Often, digital tickets to MSG will include a recommended entrance location. All exits from MSG are final.

Doors at Madison Square Garden typically open 45 minutes to one hour ahead of showtime, though entry times vary by event. Before arrival, review the MSG rules for prohibited items. Madison Square Garden bag policy allows non-clear bags no larger than 22” x 14” x 9”. Additionally, collapsible strollers and laptops or tablets are permitted as long as they fit under your seat. Prohibited items include weapons, laser pens, signs or banners, selfie sticks, noisemakers or hoverboards. Although there is no specific MSG dress code, fans wearing a costume should be aware the venue prohibits full face paint, large headpieces, fake weapons or anything hazardous or distracting to other guests.

Madison Square Garden Capacity & Seating Options

In its various configurations, Madison Square Garden capacity can reach 20,000 for concerts, 19,812 for basketball games and 18,006 for hockey. Five stories of seating offer standard, premium or standing-room only options along with balcony, courtside and behind-the-stage views.

VIP at Madison Square Garden consists of four tiers of club seating and 95 suites and lounges. Suites are divided between the Event Level, Lexus Level and Infosys Suite Level, while the 42-person lounges are located at the Bridge Level. For Club seating, browse The HUB Loft, Madison Club, Verizon Club and Delta Sky360° Club. Fans looking to book MSG premium seating should submit a request form or contact the venue via phone at 212-465-6771 or email at msgsuites@msg.com.

Madison Square Garden also provides accessible seating on all levels. Purchase an accessible seat via Ticketmaster. Alternatively, contact MSG’s Accessibility Services Department for specific accommodations via phone at 888-609-7599 or email at AccessbilityServices@msg.com. Find all of MSG’s accessibility services via the venue’s website.

Before you buy your tickets to MSG, be sure to check out the Madison Square Garden seating chart.

Food & Beverage Options at Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden concessions run the floor with arena snacks, local bites and drinks on every level. While classics like popcorn, hot dogs and fries await at one of the many grab-and-go food stands, guests can also indulge in essential NYC dishes like pizza slices from Paulie Gee’s or a pastrami-on-rye from Carnegie Deli. Dig deeper into the New York food scene with fried pierogies from Veselka, spicy chicken sandwiches from either Mike’s Hot Honey or Fuku by chef David Chang, smashburgers from 7th Street Burger or sweet treats from Baked by Melissa. For drinks at MSG, the beer selection taps into New York’s Brooklyn Brewery, The Bronx Brewery, Blue Point Brewing Company, Sloop Brewing Co. and more.

All purchases inside Madison Square Garden are cashless. Reverse ATMs are available throughout the venue to convert cash into a debit card. Per MSG policy, no outside food and drink, including water, can be brought inside.