Watching a New York Knicks game live at Madison Square Garden is a quintessential New York experience. The Knicks are one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises and have a massive global fanbase. As one of basketball’s premier teams playing in one of the world’s most famous arenas, demand for Knicks tickets is always sky-high.
Knicks ticket prices can vary widely depending on factors like the opponent, day of the week, seat location, and how well the team is playing in a given season. The average price of Knicks tickets on the secondary market over the last five seasons ranges from around $80 on the low end to over $200 on the high end.
Here is a quick overview of the main factors that influence Knicks ticket prices:
– Opponent – Prices are higher for marquee matchups against teams like the Lakers, Warriors, Nets, and Celtics.
– Day of week – Weekend games (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) are more expensive than weekday games.
– Seat location – Courtside seats can cost thousands, while upper deck seats are cheaper. Lower bowl seats closest to the court are most expensive.
– Knicks performance – Prices are higher when the team is a playoff contender and lower when they are struggling.
– Ticket source – Season ticket holders and brokers reselling tickets charge more than face value prices. Buying directly from the team is cheapest.
Over the rest of this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at Knicks ticket prices from various angles to help illustrate the cost range and factors affecting pricing.
Face Value Ticket Prices
The New York Knicks website lists the following face value starting prices for individual game tickets in the 2022-23 season:
– Courtside seats: $1,500+
– VIP baseline seats: $850
– Lower bowl seats: $80-$350
– Upper bowl seats: $40-$200
These are the cheapest prices you can pay to get Knicks tickets directly through the team’s box office. However, nearly all tickets for marquee games sell out to season ticket holders before the general public can buy. On the secondary market, prices for most games are substantially higher than face value.
Average Ticket Prices on Secondary Market
According to data from TicketIQ, the average secondary market price for Knicks tickets over the last 5 seasons is $123. This average price factors in both cheap and expensive games over several seasons.
Here is the breakdown of average Knicks ticket prices from 2018-2022:
Season | Average Ticket Price |
---|---|
2021-22 | $140 |
2020-21 | $128 |
2019-20 | $117 |
2018-19 | $107 |
2017-18 | $102 |
Prices have risen each of the last 5 seasons as the Knicks have rebuilt into a playoff team. The last time tickets were available for around $100 on average was 2017-18 when the Knicks were one of the NBA’s worst teams.
Most and Least Expensive Games Last Season
Knicks ticket prices can swing wildly between high-demand marquee matchups and low-interest games against non-contenders.
Here were the highest and lowest average ticket prices at MSG for Knicks games last season, according to TicketIQ:
Most Expensive Games
– 10/31/21 vs. Toronto – $307 average ticket price
– 11/1/21 vs. Toronto – $293 avg
– 2/8/22 vs. Golden State – $282 avg
– 3/4/22 vs. Milwaukee – $275 avg
– 12/25/21 vs. Atlanta – $271 avg
Least Expensive Games
– 4/10/22 vs. Orlando – $74 average ticket price
– 1/12/22 vs. Dallas – $78 avg
– 1/15/22 vs. Atlanta – $79 avg
– 4/6/22 vs. Brooklyn – $81 avg
– 11/17/21 vs. Orlando – $84 avg
For high-demand games on weekends against contenders like the Warriors and Bucks, average prices exceeded $275. For lower interest games like Magic and Hawks matchups, prices dropped below $85.
Factors Impacting Knicks Ticket Prices
As the data shows, there are major factors that cause fluctuations in Knicks ticket prices on the secondary market. These include:
1. Opponent
Nothing drives up ticket demand like big-name opponents. Knicks vs. Lakers and Warriors games are consistently the hottest tickets of the season, along with Brooklyn Nets games. Here are last season’s average prices for Knicks games against key rivals:
– Golden State Warriors – $282 average ticket price
– Los Angeles Lakers – $268
– Brooklyn Nets – $155
– Boston Celtics – $220
– Philadelphia 76ers – $125
– Miami Heat – $127
Other popular visiting teams that boost prices include the Chicago Bulls ($140 avg), Milwaukee Bucks ($275), and Los Angeles Clippers ($132).
Prices for games against lesser opponents can be less than half as much as marquee games. Fans just aren’t willing to pay top dollar to see the Knicks play teams like the Magic ($74), Thunder ($87) and Pistons ($99).
2. Day of the Week
Knicks tickets on weekends cost more. Last season the average price for a Saturday game was $177 and $166 for Sunday. Friday ($140) is also above the norm.
Weeknight games are a better value. The average price drops to $114 on Wednesdays, $102 on Tuesdays and just $95 on Mondays.
3. Location in the Arena
Courtside seats are the most coveted and expensive at any Knicks game, often priced over $1,500 just to get in the door. Lower bowl seats closest to the court are next, typically ranging from $200 to $600 depending on the game.
Once you go behind the baskets or up to the upper levels, prices come down. Upper deck corner seats can often be had for $60 or less. Last season the average price was $139 for lower bowl seats compared to just $77 in the upper deck corners.
4. Knicks’ Playoff Chances
The Knicks have missed the playoffs for the majority of the past two decades. But in seasons when they are playoff contenders, ticket prices skyrocket.
The average ticket price was $102 in 2017-18 when New York won just 29 games. Prices jumped to $140 last season when the Knicks were in contention for the play-in tournament.
Knicks fans are used to losing, but still show up when there is hope. Playoff races drive demand.
5. Buying Method
How you buy tickets also impacts price. The cheapest way is directly from the Knicks ticket office at face value. But nearly all these tickets go to season ticket holders first.
On the secondary market, StubHub and SeatGeek are generally cheaper than Ticketmaster resale. Buying from ticket brokers can offer deals below face value when supply exceeds demand.
Last minute tickets on Gametime app can be very cheap for low-demand games as brokers slash prices. But high-demand games still stay expensive.
Cheapest Knicks Tickets
If you want the most bang for your buck, target these types of games:
– Weeknight games (Monday-Wednesday)
– Non-marquee opponents like Magic, Thunder, Pistons
– Upper deck corner seats
– Low demand days like Thanksgiving Eve or snowy winter weeknights
Using the above criteria, we can zero in on the cheapest Knicks tickets. Here were the lowest average ticket prices last season:
– 12/21 vs Detroit, $63 avg, Tuesday night before Christmas
– 1/10 vs Spurs, $69 avg, Monday night in January against a non-playoff team
– 2/2 vs Grizzlies, $71 avg, Wednesday night game attracting little buzz
– 1/20 vs Pelicans, $78 avg, dead of winter on a Thursday night
– 4/6 vs Nets, $81 avg, Wednesday with Nets sitting stars
With the right game selection and buying method, Knicks tickets can still be bought for under $100 even on the secondary market.
Most Expensive Knicks Tickets
For the full New York experience, the most in-demand games each season usually fall into these categories:
– Marquee weekend games against Warriors, Lakers, Nets, Celtics
– Rivalry games like Nets, 76ers, Celtics even on weeknights
– Prime holiday games like Christmas
– Late season games with playoff implications
Here were the top 5 most expensive Knicks home games over each of the last 5 seasons based on average secondary market ticket prices:
2022 Season
– 10/31 vs Raptors, $307 avg
– 11/1 vs Raptors, $293 avg
– 2/8 vs Warriors, $282 avg
– 3/4 vs Bucks, $275 avg
– 12/25 vs Hawks, $271 avg
2021 Season
– 5/12 vs Spurs, $315 avg (first playoffs at MSG since 2013)
– 5/4 vs Nuggets, $297 avg
– 5/7 vs Suns, $292 avg
– 5/16 vs Celtics, $267 avg
– 5/2 vs Rockets, $260 avg
2020 Season
– 3/2 vs Rockets, $123 avg (last game before NBA Covid shutdown)
– 10/26 vs Bulls, $121 avg (opener)
– 12/22 vs Wizards, $116 avg
– 11/14 vs Hornets, $116 avg
– 11/24 vs Blazers, $115 avg
2019 Season
– 10/25 vs Nets, $150 avg (opener vs Kyrie & KD Nets)
– 10/26 vs Celtics, $149 avg
– 12/11 vs Hawks, $146 avg
– 2/3 vs Clippers, $143 avg
– 4/2 vs Bulls, $140 avg
2018 Season
– 10/19 vs Nets, $128 avg (opener vs rebuilding Nets)
– 12/25 vs Bucks, $122 avg (Christmas)
– 11/4 vs Wizards, $119 avg
– 4/9 vs Cavaliers, $118 avg
– 10/24 vs Heat, $118 avg
The most expensive games often share common themes like major stars returning to MSG (ex: Lakers & Warriors visits) or big playoff implications in April. Rivalry games with the Nets, Celtics and 76ers also drive up demand and prices regardless of day or time.
How to Get Cheap Knicks Tickets
For the best deals, follow these tips:
– Purchase upper deck seats. The 200 and 300 level seats offer the most consistent low price options, often under $100 even for marquee games.
– Buy on ticket resale sites. StubHub, SeatGeek and VividSeats frequently have deals below face value. Compare seller prices and fees.
– Purchase last minute. Prices drop drastically in the hours leading up to tipoff as brokers slash prices. Use Gametime app to find best deals.
– Avoid sold out games. The hardest tickets like Lakers and Nets have less last minute deals. Best shot at cheap seats is lower demand matchups.
– Buy group tickets. Order 4 or more seats together directly from the Knicks box office to unlock group ticket discounts of 10% or more.
– Sign up for ticket newsletter. Provide your email and get access to presales and special deals online before the general public.
Conclusion
New York Knicks ticket prices are among the highest in the NBA, befitting one of the league’s most iconic and valuable franchises. While cheap seats can still be found for low-demand games, expect to pay a premium for marquee matchups and playoff dates at Madison Square Garden.
Using smart shopping strategies and the guidance outlined in this article, you can find great deals and save money on Knicks tickets throughout the season. Weigh factors like opponent, seat location and game time to strike the right balance of affordable prices and a great live experience in one of basketball’s historic arenas.