Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden, often called “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” is a legendary indoor venue located in Midtown Manhattan atop Penn Station. Since opening in 1968, this fourth iteration of MSG has hosted iconic concerts, championship sports, political conventions, and historic moments. It is home to the New York Knicks (NBA) and the New York Rangers (NHL), and regularly features events ranging from boxing and UFC to music superstars like Billy Joel, Elton John, and Taylor Swift. The arena seats up to 20,000 and includes a 5,000-seat theater and event spaces. MSG’s legacy spans over a century, with its previous locations tracing back to 1874 at Madison Square. Architecturally innovative and culturally significant, MSG remains central to New York City's entertainment identity. It has welcomed popes, presidents, and global audiences, while also standing at the heart of ongoing debates about urban preservation and the future of Penn Station.

 

Top Tips

 

Use Public Transit:

MSG sits directly above Penn Station. Take the subway (1/2/3/A/C/E) or commuter trains (LIRR, NJ Transit, Amtrak) to avoid parking hassles.

 

Use the MSG App for Booking:

Great for booking Madison Square Garden tickets,navigating seat maps, and ordering food during events.

 

Check the Event Policy:

Bag sizes, prohibited items, and camera policies can vary by event—check ahead to avoid delays at security.

 

Look For Musical Events:

Don’t miss the music banners hanging from the rafters—Billy Joel, Phish, and Harry Styles have made history here!

 

How to Get There

Madison Square Garden is located at 4 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121 and main entrances are along 7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets. Here’s how you can get there:

 

By Subway

MSG is located directly above Penn Station, making it incredibly transit-friendly.

1, 2, 3 trains to 34th Street–Penn Station (Seventh Avenue)
A, C, E trains to 34th Street–Penn Station (Eighth Avenue)
Nearby alternatives: B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W trains to 34th Street–Herald Square (short walk)

 

By Train

Amtrak, LIRR (Long Island Rail Road), and NJ Transit all stop at Penn Station—directly below MSG.

 

By Bus

Several MTA buses stop nearby, including M34, M4, M20, and Q32.

 

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Madison Square Garden depends on your interests, but here are a few tips to help you plan:

 

For Events

The best time to visit Madison Square Garden is during prime-time events (7–10 PM), especially for Knicks or Rangers games and Madison Square Garden concerts. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends.

 

For the MSG All-Access Tour

For the MSG All-Access Tour, late mornings between 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM are ideal, as they’re typically less crowded and allow more time to explore before afternoon events begin. It’s best to avoid tour times on game or concert days, as access to certain areas may be restricted due to event preparations.

 

For Photos & Exploring

Visit Madison Square Garden early in the day or just before sunset for the best natural lighting to capture the exterior. These times also offer easier access to nearby Midtown attractions like the Empire State Building and Macy’s, without the peak crowd levels.

 

Features

Madison Square Garden is a world-renowned, multi-purpose indoor arena located in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, directly above Penn Station. With a seating capacity of up to 20,000, it hosts a diverse range of events including NBA and NHL games, boxing, concerts, circuses, and major conventions. Fans often look up Madison Square Garden seat view options when selecting tickets to ensure the best perspective of the stage or court.

 

The Garden features two main venues: the main arena and a smaller, 5,000-seat theater known as The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The arena boasts state-of-the-art acoustics, high-definition LED displays, the Chase Bridges (suspended walkways offering unique overhead views), and modern suites and clubs like the Madison Club and Lexus Suite Level for premium experiences. Renovations completed in 2013 added expanded concourses, better dining options, and more fan-friendly amenities.

 

Accessibility is a core feature of MSG. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, and its central location above Penn Station makes it easy to reach via subway, commuter rail, and Amtrak. Visitors can also enjoy All-Access Tours that offer behind-the-scenes glimpses into the dressing rooms, the arena floor, and its historic legacy. From hosting the Pope to rock legends and championship games, Madison Square Garden continues to be a cultural epicenter in New York City.

 

History and Fun Facts

Madison Square Garden’s history is as iconic as the events it hosts. The first version opened in 1874 as a converted railroad depot near Madison Square, created by showman P.T. Barnum and later renamed by William Kissam Vanderbilt. The second Garden, built in 1891 and designed by famed architect Stanford White, featured a striking 32-story tower and a rooftop theater—also the site of White’s dramatic 1906 murder in a real-life scandal known as the “Trial of the Century.”

 

In 1925, the third MSG opened further uptown on Eighth Avenue and hosted everything from heavyweight boxing to political conventions. The current Garden, its fourth incarnation, opened in 1968 atop Penn Station. It’s the first arena built over an active rail hub and has undergone major renovations in 1991 and again between 2011–2013, evolving into a high-tech, multipurpose venue.

 

Fun Facts:

- It’s home to the Knicks (NBA) and Rangers (NHL).

- Billy Joel holds the record for most shows at MSG, with over 150 performances.

- The Pope, Elvis, Muhammad Ali, and Harry Styles have all headlined here.

- The arena has hosted three WrestleManias and two Popes.

- It’s still the only NBA and NHL arena not named after a corporate sponsor.

- The Phish “Baker’s Dozen” run earned the band a commemorative banner—13 concerts, no repeated songs.

- MSG’s current structure led to the creation of NYC’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, after the original Penn Station was demolished for its construction.