Madison Square Garden
New York, NY · Home of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers
Upcoming games
Schedule data syncs from our events feed. Ticket links go to SeatGeek.
No upcoming games currently listed for Madison Square Garden.
Plan your trip
Curated booking starting points for a New York trip. Some links are affiliate links — purchases may earn GameAway a commission at no extra cost to you.
TPKLOOKTA5Parking
Reserve a spot in advance — game-day parking near Madison Square Garden fills early.
Getting there
Madison Square Garden sits directly above Penn Station in Midtown Manhattan, making it arguably the most transit-accessible major arena in North America. The 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E subway lines stop at 34th St – Penn Station beneath the building, the B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W are a short walk at Herald Square, and NJ Transit, LIRR, and Amtrak all terminate at Penn Station itself. Driving into Midtown on a game night is generally not recommended — surface streets clog around 7th and 8th Avenues and garages fill quickly. Rideshare pickup zones rotate by event; the building typically signs the active lane. Confirm bag and entry rules on the MSG site before you go.
The neighborhood
The blocks around the Garden are pure working Midtown — Penn Station foot traffic, the Macy's Herald Square crowd, garment-district holdovers, and the slow build of Hudson Yards a few blocks west. It's not a polished sports district like an arena-village development; the pre-game scene is spread thinly across 33rd and 34th Streets and 7th and 8th Avenues, with bars tucked between hotel lobbies and chain restaurants. Walk a few blocks north and you're in the Times Square crush; head west and Hudson Yards' Vessel and The Shed sit at the river. Korea Way (32nd Street between 5th and 6th) is a short walk east and one of the more interesting nearby dinner options. The Garden's location means most fans treat it as a stop on a larger Midtown night rather than an arena-district destination.
Where to eat & drink nearby
Pre-game options nearby include Stout NYC (an Irish pub steps from the arena that's a longtime Rangers and Knicks pre-game stop), The Skylark (a rooftop bar a few blocks north with skyline views), and Mustang Harry's (a sports-bar standby across from the Garden). Keens Steakhouse is a classic sit-down option a short walk north, and Hangawi or any of the Korea Way restaurants on 32nd Street offer a more interesting dinner alternative. Tracks Raw Bar & Grill inside Penn Station is a surprisingly solid pre-game stop. Pre-game crowds at the closest bars build quickly within an hour of puck drop or tipoff.
First-timer tips
Arrive earlier than you'd think — Penn Station foot traffic plus arena security screening can stack up, particularly for high-demand Rangers playoff games or Knicks rivalry nights. Entrances are spread around the building at 7th and 8th Avenues; check your ticket for the assigned entry. MSG has refined its bag policy, clear-bag rules, and mobile-ticket workflow in recent seasons — check the official site before you pack rather than relying on older advice. Cellular reception inside the bowl can be uneven on full nights; download mobile tickets in advance. The Chase Bridges hanging above the seating bowl offer a distinct sightline if you want a one-time-experience view.
Best games to catch
For the Knicks, marquee dates are Celtics, Heat, Nets (the Brooklyn–Manhattan rivalry), and Bulls — those games consistently price above the season average and are the hardest weekend tickets to walk up. For the Rangers, the Original Six matchups against the Bruins, Blackhawks, and Red Wings are the heritage draws, with Islanders and Devils games carrying local rivalry weight as well. Knicks–Lakers and Knicks–Warriors when the marquee stars visit also peak demand. Both teams publish promotional calendars on their official sites — themed nights, giveaways, heritage jerseys — that vary year to year, so check before locking in dates.
What to know
The current Madison Square Garden is the fourth building to carry the name, opened in February 1968 above the demolished original Penn Station — a swap still considered one of the most consequential preservation losses in American urban history. The arena underwent a roughly billion-dollar renovation completed in 2013 that rebuilt the seating bowl, added the suspended Chase Bridges, and modernized concourses without changing the building's footprint. It is the oldest active arena in the NBA and the NHL, and one of the few major venues where the floor and ice sit directly above an active intercity rail terminal. The Garden's compact, vertical bowl produces a sound profile that broadcasters and visiting players consistently rate among the loudest in either league. The building also hosts boxing, concerts, and the annual Westminster Dog Show, keeping its booking calendar among the busiest of any indoor arena in the world.
Frequently asked questions
What time do doors open at Madison Square Garden?
Doors typically open about 90 minutes before tipoff or puck drop for standard games, sometimes earlier for marquee events. Check the MSG official event page for the specific game's door time.
How do I get to Madison Square Garden on the subway?
The 1, 2, 3, A, C, and E lines stop at 34th St – Penn Station directly beneath the arena. The B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, and W are a short walk at Herald Square. NJ Transit, LIRR, and Amtrak all terminate at Penn Station itself.
Where can I park near Madison Square Garden?
Midtown garages around 7th and 8th Avenues serve the arena, but space is limited and rates run high on event nights. Reserving in advance via the parking link above typically beats game-day pricing. Many fans skip driving entirely given the transit options.
What's the bag policy at Madison Square Garden?
MSG enforces a small-bag policy with size limits and prohibits hard-sided coolers and most large bags. Specific dimensions and prohibited items change — check the MSG official bag policy page before heading in.
Are the Knicks and Rangers in the same building?
Yes — both the Knicks (NBA) and Rangers (NHL) play their home games at Madison Square Garden. The arena floor converts between hardwood and ice between games, sometimes on back-to-back nights.
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