Deciding how early to arrive at Madison Square Garden for a concert depends on a few key factors. The most important considerations are: the popularity of the performer, whether the concert is general admission or assigned seating, day of the week, and your own preferences for things like merchandise shopping and finding parking.
Popularity of the Performer
The popularity of the performer playing Madison Square Garden will have a significant impact on how early you need to arrive. Extremely popular singers like Taylor Swift or bands like The Rolling Stones will draw huge crowds, and lines can start forming 8+ hours before showtime. Fans want to get a spot near the stage, buy merchandise, and experience the pre-concert atmosphere. If you want a front row view or even just a good general admission spot on the floor, you’ll need to devote your entire day to waiting in line.
For less popular acts, arriving 2-3 hours early is usually sufficient. There won’t be the same demand for prime viewing spots, so you can show up after the earliest rush and still get inside with a reasonable wait. Having your tickets ready and knowing which entrance to go to will minimize hassles.
General Admission vs Assigned Seating
Whether the concert is general admission or you have an assigned seat also changes the calculus of when to arrive. General admission means first come, first served, so the earlier you show up, the better your access will be to standing room space near the stage. People tend to start lining up 6 or more hours prior to claim their spots.
If you have an assigned seat, there’s no benefit to arriving extra early besides avoiding late-comer lines at the entrance. You can show up 30-60 minutes before showtime and still make it to your section without issue. Some fans still come early to shop, eat, and enjoy the experience, but it’s not required.
Day of the Week
The day of the week the concert falls on will impact crowds and lines. Weeknight shows (Tuesday-Thursday) tend to be less busy than Friday and Saturday concerts. Public transportation runs less frequently at night, so it’s harder for people to come out on a weeknight. Less people means shorter lines to get in.
Weekend shows are busier, especially Saturday nights when more people are free. Earlier arrival times are recommended for weekend shows to account for the higher demand and crowds.
Your Preferences
Beyond the basic factors above, your personal preferences will also help decide when you need to arrive:
- If you want to shop for merchandise, get there 1-2 hours early to beat lines.
- If you want to enjoy pre-show entertainment outside the venue, arrive 2+ hours early.
- If you want to grab food/drinks nearby, allow extra time for waits at local bars and restaurants.
- If driving, give yourself extra time find parking, which fills up fast.
Give yourself more of a time buffer if any of those activities are important to you before the show starts.
Typical Recommended Arrival Times
Taking into account all of the above factors, here are typical recommended arrival times:
Act Popularity | Seating Type | Recommended Arrival Before Showtime |
---|---|---|
Massive / Legend | General Admission | 6+ hours early |
Popular Headliner | General Admission | 3-4 hours early |
Well-known | General Admission | 2 hours early |
Any | Assigned Seating | 30-60 minutes early |
These are general guidelines only – certain concerts may differ depending on additional factors like a passionate fanbase or limited tour capacity driving up demand. Use your judgment and leave extra buffer time for ultra-popular shows where lines start extremely early.
Arriving Too Early
Is there such a thing as getting to a Madison Square Garden concert too early? Not really, as long as you are prepared to wait and don’t mind hanging around. Some dedicated fans show up 8+ hours before concerts just to soak up the atmosphere and excitement. However, if you will have challenges waiting a long time or finding ways to occupy yourself, it’s possible to arrive too early for your own comfort.
Some issues with getting to the venue extra early include:
- Standing outside in bad weather like rain, heat, or cold
- Needing to leave to use restrooms or get food if you lose your place
- Getting tired/bored from waiting around
- Not having activities or entertainment during the wait
If you anticipate facing any of those issues, moderate your arrival time accordingly. While the earliest fans get the best spots, arriving 6+ hours early requires serious commitment. Gauge your own ability to wait before staking out a spot that far in advance.
Conclusion
Deciding when to arrive at Madison Square Garden for a concert requires balancing several factors: the popularity of the act, the seating type, day of week, and your personal preferences. Allow extra time for extremely popular performers where demand will be highest. General admission tickets necessitate earlier arrival than assigned seating where you are guaranteed a spot. Build in buffer time for merchandise shopping, food, parking, and other pre-show activities you want to do. While the earliest fans get the best views, excessively long waits require serious dedication. Consider your own tolerance for waiting in lines before arriving extra early. With the right timing tailored to the show and your needs, you can have a smooth, stress-free experience getting into Madison Square Garden concerts.