The organ echoes around the vast arena that is Madison Square Garden as 18,200 fans (known as the 'Garden Faithful') chant "let's go Rangers!" The clock ticks to zero after an agonizing final few minutes, and it's over in an eruption of roars and clamor. It's 1994 and the Rangers have just won the Stanley Cup. That was the last time New York's Rangers were champions, but that mood of team spirit and excitement has never left New York City's legendary arena.
Home to the four-time NHL Stanley Cup champions including the Original Six Rangers, the two-time NBA championship title-holding Knicks, and host to the biggest names in music and comedy, Madison Square Garden is one of the busiest arenas in the country. It additionally provides a venue for the New York Liberty (the city's women's basketball team), high-profile boxing and wrestling matches, and college and high school basketball games. Known to locals as MSG, or simply "The Garden", the arena opened at its current location atop New York's Penn Station in 1968. MSG has existed, in some form or another, since 1879. It was formerly located at Madison Square and 26th Street, hence its name. In the same complex as the main arena is the WaMu Theater, which hosts stage shows, meetings, and ceremonies as well as occasional boxing matches.
The arena is one of the most easily accessible of its size in the New York metropolitan area, as trains regularly depart and arrive to and from New Jersey, upstate New York, Pennsylvania, and Long Island as well as local city destinations. It's also close to three major airports, the furthest away being Newark International at 17 miles.
In 2009, plans were unveiled to completely renovate the arena to enhance fan experience. A new entrance and seating changes with better views are on the list. Seating is currently arranged along six levels. The Garden holds nearly 20,000 people and frequently sells out. Its structural qualities provide great acoustics for live music. Many artists have recorded their performances at the Garden and released them as live albums or DVDs, including Eric Clapton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, Pearl Jam, and Janet Jackson.
Video cameras or cameras with large lenses are generally not allowed inside the arena, and some events ban all cameras including digital and disposables, so make sure to read your ticket and check with the box office.
The Garden is an integral New York fixture and functions as the heart and soul of some of its most famous sports teams and their fan bases. Concert goers are treated to great views and sound regardless of seating location, so heading to a game or show at MSG is never a bad idea.
Attraction Information
- Box Office Hours:
- Monday through Friday (on event days): 9am to 1 hour after event start time
- Monday through Friday (on non-event days): 9am to 6pm
- Saturdays (on event days): 10am to 1 hour after event start time
- Saturdays (on non-event days): 10am to 6pm
- Sundays (on event days): 12pm to 1 hour after event start time
- Sundays (on non-event days): Closed
- Subway Stop:
- 1, 2, 3, A, C, E trains to 34th street Penn Station
- Contact:
- Location: Four Pennsylvania Plaza (7th Avenue between W 31st St and W 33rd St) New York, NY
- Phone: 212-465-MSG1
- Website: www.thegarden.com
