Madison Square Garden, often called “The World’s Most Famous Arena”, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. Located in Midtown Manhattan, Madison Square Garden hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, sporting events, family shows, and more.
Concerts
Madison Square Garden has a long history of hosting concerts for the biggest names in music. From Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles in the early days to Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, and Bon Jovi in decades after, the Garden has hosted the greats of every music genre. Today, it continues to be a prime concert venue in New York City.
Some major concerts that have happened or are scheduled to happen at Madison Square Garden include:
- Billy Joel – Since 2014, legendary pianist and singer Billy Joel has performed one show per month at the Garden as part of his residency. He is scheduled to continue the residency into 2023.
- Lady Gaga – Pop superstar Lady Gaga brought her Joanne World Tour to Madison Square Garden for a 4-night run in 2017, performing for nearly 60,000 fans.
- BTS – The chart-topping Korean boy band played two nights at MSG in 2019 as part of their Love Yourself: Speak Yourself world tour.
- Justin Bieber – Pop singer Justin Bieber has performed at the Garden numerous times over his career, including shows in 2013, 2016, and 2017.
- Adele – British vocalist Adele performed multiple shows at MSG in 2016 for her Adele Live 2016 tour.
Many more top artists are constantly bringing their tours to Madison Square Garden. It is considered a coveted venue for major concert tours.
Sporting Events
Madison Square Garden is home to several major professional sports teams and hosts numerous big sporting events every year.
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, more commonly known as the Knicks, are a National Basketball Association (NBA) team based at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks play their home games on the Garden’s main basketball court and have been tenants since 1968, when the current Garden building opened. Some key facts about the Knicks at MSG:
- They have not won an NBA championship since 1973 but remain one of the most valuable franchises in the league.
- Over 850 Knicks games have been played at MSG as of the start of the 2022-2023 season.
- Notable players who have played for the Knicks at MSG include Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Amar’e Stoudemire, Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and more.
- The Knicks draw over 800,000 fans to Madison Square Garden each season.
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are the National Hockey League (NHL) team that plays at Madison Square Garden. Key facts on the Rangers:
- They have played home games at the Garden since 1968 and typically play 41 regular season home games each season.
- The Rangers have won the Stanley Cup 4 times, in 1928, 1933, 1940 and 1994.
- Notable Rangers players who have skated at MSG include Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Henrik Lundqvist, Rod Gilbert, Eddie Giacomin, and more.
- The Rangers draw around 750,000 fans to The Garden every season.
Other Sporting Events
In addition to Knicks and Rangers home games, Madison Square Garden hosts many major sporting events. These include:
- NBA playoffs – As home of the Knicks, MSG routinely hosts first round NBA playoff games.
- NHL playoffs – Home playoff games for the Rangers.
- Boxing – MSG has a long history with boxing and still hosts major fights today.
- Tennis – The Garden hosts the New York Open, an ATP Tour 250 event, each February.
- College basketball – The annual Big East tournament and other major college games.
- WWE events – WWE holds their largest annual event, WrestleMania, at MSG along with other WWE shows.
MSG also hosts the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and video game tournaments like the League of Legends Championship Series finals.
Family Shows & Performances
Madison Square Garden provides entertainment options for the whole family with kid-friendly shows, theater performances, and more.
Disney on Ice
The popular touring ice show Disney on Ice brings multiple productions to The Garden every year such as Frozen, Mickey and Minnie’s Adventure, and Dream Big. Kids and parents alike enjoy watching their favorite Disney stories and characters brought to life on the ice.
Live Theater
MSG hosts extended runs of popular Broadway shows. Some past performances include:
- Cirque du Soleil’s Paramour – Ran for over 150 shows at MSG in 2017.
- Riverdance – The Irish music and dance sensation played MSG in 2020.
- Blue Man Group – Their unique show had an extended run at the Garden.
Holiday Performances
Popular holiday shows that perform annually at MSG include:
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular – The famous Rockettes have performed their beloved Christmas show at MSG since 2018.
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical – Brings the classic Dr. Seuss story to life on stage.
Other Family Performances
Other kid-friendly shows to see at Madison Square Garden include Sesame Street Live, PAW Patrol Live, Disney Live Mickey’s Music Festival, and many more. The venue regularly hosts circuses, ice shows, and other dazzling productions fit for the entire family.
Other Notable Events
Madison Square Garden plays host to various other special events throughout the year:
- Awards shows – The Garden has hosted the Grammy Awards, Latin Grammys, MTV Video Music Awards, and ESPY Awards ceremonies.
- Graduations – New York City colleges like NYU hold their commencement ceremonies at The Garden.
- Political events – MSG has been the site of major political gatherings like debates and campaign rallies.
- Product launches – Companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google have introduced new products via launch events at MSG.
- Social galas – The annual Al Smith Dinner charity gala takes place at Madison Square Garden.
The versatility of the arena allows it to host everything from gaming conventions to food festivals to business conferences. The Garden’s events calendar is always packed with diverse happenings.
Upcoming Events at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden has an exciting lineup of events coming up in the next few months. Here are some major concerts, games, and shows happening soon:
Date | Event |
---|---|
October 18, 2022 | New York Rangers vs. Colorado Avalanche |
October 21, 2022 | New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons |
October 28, 2022 | Harry Styles – Love on Tour |
November 5, 2022 | Post Malone with Roddy Ricch |
November 15, 2022 | Andrea Bocelli |
November 24, 2022 | New York Rangers vs. Detroit Red Wings |
November 27, 2022 | New York Knicks vs. Memphis Grizzlies |
December 2-3, 2022 | BIG EAST Basketball Tournament |
December 11-12, 2022 | Radio City Christmas Spectacular |
December 19, 2022 | Trans-Siberian Orchestra |
January 5, 2023 | Billy Joel |
Plenty more exciting events are still to be announced! Be sure to check the Madison Square Garden website for new concert announcements, updated sports schedules, and newly added family shows.
How to Get Tickets
There are a few options for getting tickets to events at Madison Square Garden:
- Buy tickets online through official sellers like Ticketmaster.
- Purchase tickets at the Madison Square Garden box office in person.
- Get tickets through fan resale marketplaces like StubHub.
- Receive ticket giveaways through radio stations.
- Win free tickets through contests.
Tickets can range from around $50 for upper level seats at a Knicks game to several hundred dollars for VIP concert experiences. Prices vary greatly depending on the event, seat location, and demand.
Booking a Private Suite
For an upscale experience, corporate groups or other large parties can book a private suite at Madison Square Garden. There are over 100 luxury suites located on two separate levels of the arena. Typical amenities in a MSG suite include:
- Covered seating area with comfortable chairs.
- Flat screen TVs.
- Premium food and beverage options.
- Private restrooms.
- In-suite hospitality staff.
Suites accommodate groups from 12 to 30+ people. They provide the perfect setting for hosting clients, employee outings, or personal celebrations. Suite rental costs vary based on the event.
Getting to Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden is centrally located above New York Penn Station in midtown Manhattan. There are excellent public transportation options for getting to events:
- Subway – Multiple subway lines (A, C, E) connect directly with Penn Station/MSG.
- Train – NJ Transit, LIRR, and Amtrak all run to Penn Station.
- Bus – Take direct buses to Port Authority and walk to MSG.
- Cab/Rideshare – There is a taxi/Uber stand outside MSG on 7th Ave between 31st & 32nd St.
Driving and parking near Madison Square Garden is extremely difficult due to NYC traffic and limited parking garages. Public transportation is highly recommended for getting to events.
Madison Square Garden is located on top of Penn Station at:
4 Pennsylvania Plaza
New York, NY 10001
Food & Drink
Madison Square Garden features many unique food and beverage options beyond typical sporting event concessions. Choices available include:
- Exclusive restaurants – Upscale dining choices like The Loft by David Burke and Garden 366 provide food from acclaimed chefs.
- Signature NY classics – Guests can find local favorites like Papaya King hot dogs, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, and Carnegie Deli corned beef.
- Luxury suites – All-inclusive premium dining in private suites.
- Club spaces – Exclusive clubs like the Delta Sky360 Club offer full bars and buffet dining.
- Craft beer – Local craft beers from breweries like Brooklyn Brewery.
- Michelin-star dining – Chef’s Table at The Garden provides a Chef’s tasting menu served elegantly rinkside.
Food choices range from quick-service to fine dining. When booking tickets, be sure to check available dining packages to complement the MSG event experience.
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
In addition to the world famous arena, Madison Square Garden complex is also home to the intimate Theater at Madison Square Garden. With only 5,600 seats, this smaller theater hosts concerts, comedy shows, awards ceremonies, and more.
Artists who have performed at The Theater include Neil Young, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Diana Ross, Steely Dan, Natalie Merchant, and Beck. The venue regularly hosts comedy legends like Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Maher, and Jim Gaffigan. Its smaller size provides a more up-close performance experience.
History of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden has been located at its current Penn Station site since 1968, but this historic venue dates all the way back to 1879 in different buildings and locations around Manhattan. Some key moments in MSG history include:
- 1879 – The original Madison Square Garden was built on East 26th Street & Madison Avenue.
- 1890 – Madison Square Garden II opened near Fifth Ave and 23rd Street.
- 1925 – MSG III opens on Eighth Ave between 49th & 50th Streets.
- 1967 – Current MSG building starts construction above Penn Station.
- 1968 – Madison Square Garden IV opens at its present location and signs Knicks & Rangers as anchor tenants.
- 2013-2014 – MSG undergoes major $1 billion renovation.
Over its 140+ year history, Madison Square Garden has hosted everything from boxing matches to political conventions to circuses. Today it thrives as New York’s most famous sports and entertainment arena.
Conclusion
With its storied history, central location, and diverse programming, Madison Square Garden remains a premier New York City venue. Music superstars, all-star athletes, famous comedians, and more continue to make MSG a required stop. Concertgoers can rock out to their favorite bands, sports fans can cheer on the Knicks and Rangers, and families can enjoy dazzling shows together.
From Billy Joel to the Big East Tournament to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Madison Square Garden provides endless entertainment options throughout the year. Its upcoming event calendar promises more unforgettable moments in one of the world’s most famous arenas.