The comprehensive guide to Madison Square Garden

Quick insights

• Madison Square Garden, located in Midtown Manhattan, is a multi-purpose indoor arena that hosts sports and entertainment events.
• Access Madison Square Garden by parking in a nearby garage or traveling via public transportation to Penn Station or the 34th Street/Penn Station or 34th Street/Herald Square stops.
• Seating options include standard seats, floor seats and suites.

Madison Square Garden hosts some of the best performances in entertainment, from sporting events to concerts to stand-up comedy. It’s the home of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, and it’s the oldest major sporting facility in the New York metropolitan area.

In this article, we’ve gathered what to know to make the most of your next event at Madison Square Garden.

How to get to Madison Square Garden

Whether you’re travelling by car or public transportation, it’s fairly easy to access this New York City venue. It’s located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, which is on 7th Avenue between W. 31st and W. 33rd Streets. The arena is attached to Penn Station, and for some visitors, taking the train may be the most convenient way to travel to their event.

The Garden is accessible via these trains:

• Take the 1/2/3/A/C/E train to the 34th Street/Penn Station stop.
• Take the B/D/F/M/N/Q/R train to 34th Street/Herald Square stop.
• Take PATH trains from New Jersey to the 33rd Street/Avenue of the Americas.
• Take the Shuttle or 7 train via MetroNorth from Grand Central to Times Square, and then transfer to the downtown 1/2/3 train to the 34th Street/Penn Station stop.

If you’re traveling to Madison Square Garden by car, there are several nearby parking garages and valet lots in the neighborhood. There are parking apps you can download that may help you locate and price parking options. Parking may be more expensive closer to Madison Square Garden.

Seating options and capacity

There are standard seats, floor seats and suites from which you can watch Madison Square Garden events.

You may access some of the best seats in the house with Chase Preferred Seating, which is available if you have a Chase credit card or debit card.

For guests who need accommodations, the Garden provides seats with movable armrests and larger chairs without armrests. You’ll need to contact the Accessibility Services Department at least 48 hours in advance of your event to request this.

The seating capacity at Madison Square Garden may vary based on the type of event. Some events may require different seating configurations. For example, basketball games can seat 19,812 while ice hockey games seat 18,006.

Where to eat and drink at Madison Square Garden

Whether you want the usual stadium fare or a taste of the city, you may enjoy a range of food and drink locations at Madison Square Garden. Here are some of the dishes being served up:

• OG spicy fried chicken sando at Fuku
• Pastrami sandwich at Carnegie Deli
• Bite-sized cupcakes at Baked by Melissa
• Sushi at Tao
• Pepperoni pizza slice from Paulie Gee’s
• Five pounder hot dog at TopDog

Gluten free diners may check out Gluten Free at The Garden in Section 112, and the Go Beyond® Grill provides meat-free options. Note that the open locations may vary by event. If you have a medical need to bring your own food and beverages, contact Guest Relations.

Can’t find what you want in the stadium? The Garden’s location in Midtown Manhattan puts you close to restaurants and bars where you may enjoy a bite or drink before or after your event.

Where to stay during your visit

For those who want to stay near the venue, there are hotels within walking distance. The neighborhood features several budget and luxury hotel locations.

You may find lodging a short walk from Madison Square Garden at these hotels:

• Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel: Another luxury option, this hotel features a large rooftop deck to take in the sights and plush bedding.
• Courtyard by Marriott New York Manhattan/Chelsea: This location of this familiar chain is in the heart of the city and is highly rated by guests.
• Kimpton Hotel Eventi: This luxury boutique hotel boasts stylish rooms and luxurious accommodations.
• Hilton Garden Inn New York/West 35th Street: This 3-star hotel has a restaurant, bar, 24-hour fitness center and self-parking.
• Holiday Inn Express Manhattan Times Square South: This hotel offers comfortable accommodations and free internet access in a convenient location.

Staying in this Midtown Manhattan neighborhood puts you close to attractions like the Empire State Building and Times Square.

What to know before you go

Wondering about bag sizing requirements and payment options? Here’s what to know before you visit Madison Square Garden.

Payment options

Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted. Some vendors may not accept cash. You’ll find ATMs in the lobby level, as well as Reverse ATMs that allow you to turn cash into a debit card.

Bags

Bags must fit under your seat. If the bag is larger than 22” x 14” x 9”, it is prohibited. There’s no bag check or place to store personal belongings. Bags are not required to be clear or see-through.

Electronic devices

You may bring a phone, laptop or tablet into the venue, but the device must be able to fit inside a bag that meets the Garden’s sizing requirements. Video cameras, professional cameras, audio recording devices, selfie sticks, monopods and tripods are not allowed.

Sometimes an artist may request a device-free event. That means you may only bring a small electronic device like a cell phone, which will be secured in a pouch until the end of the performance. For these performances, you may wish to leave devices at home whenever possible.

Amenities

Madison Square Garden has amenities to help make everyone’s visit enjoyable and meet the needs of all guests. Several amenities may help make events accessible and enhance the experience.

• Portable phone chargers that are compatible with all cell phones are available to rent.
• All public areas of the arena are accessible by elevator and escalator.
• Accessible restrooms are located throughout the venue.
• Wheelchair escorts are available.
• Complimentary Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) and sensory bags are available to assist and accommodate guests.
• Electrical outlets are available throughout the arena where guests may plug in a ventilator.

How to buy tickets

You may purchase tickets online or in-person at the box office. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and during all events until one hour after the event begins.

Visit the Madison Square Garden website to purchase tickets online. Click on “Events” in the navigation menu. You’ll find event details for all concerts, sports events, comedy shows and more. When you click “Buy Tickets,” you’ll be taken to the Ticketmaster website. You’ll be able to explore and purchase tickets for available seats.

Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you should receive a purchase confirmation email that includes instructions on how to access the ticket. Madison Square Garden uses digital tickets. You’ll display the ticket on your smartphone to gain access to the event. It’s possible to display more than one ticket on a single smartphone.

For device-free events, the venue usually allows you to print your tickets at home.

In summary

Madison Square Garden, located in Midtown Manhattan, is the place to see unforgettable events in New York City. Travel to the arena via car or public transportation, and if you’re staying overnight, you’ll find several budget and luxury hotels nearby. Inside the venue, guests can enjoy specialty food options and a range of amenities.