Madison Square Garden, commonly known as The Garden, is one of the most famous and coveted venues in New York City. Located in midtown Manhattan, The Garden has hosted hundreds of historic concerts, championship games, and events. With a maximum capacity of around 20,000 for concerts, getting tickets to see your favorite musician or band play at this iconic arena can be competitive and difficult.
When do tickets go on sale?
The on-sale date for newly announced events at Madison Square Garden varies. Generally, tickets will go on sale around 2-3 months prior to the event date. However, popular concerts and games will sometimes have tickets available up to 6 months in advance. The best way to find out when tickets go on sale for an event is to check the Madison Square Garden website and sign up for their email newsletter. This will provide you with presale code access and notifications for when tickets are released.
Here are some tips for finding out about on-sale dates:
- Follow Madison Square Garden on social media like Facebook and Twitter to get notifications on new events and on-sale info
- Sign up for fan clubs and email lists of the performers you want to see to get presale password announcements
- Check tour schedules of your favorite artists to see when they may be playing in New York City
- Look out for announcements in music publications and entertainment sites like Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard
Generally, the earlier you can learn about when tickets go on sale, the better chance you have of getting good seats for in-demand MSG events. Popular concert tickets can sell out in minutes, so having presale password access is very valuable.
Where can I buy tickets?
There are a few different options for where to actually purchase Madison Square Garden tickets:
- Madison Square Garden website – The Garden has their own ticket buying section online at https://www.msg.com/tickets. This is the best place to buy tickets directly from the venue.
- Ticketmaster – As the official ticketing partner of MSG, tickets for all events are sold on Ticketmaster.com and the Ticketmaster app as well.
- StubHub/SeatGeek – Reseller marketplaces like StubHub and SeatGeek are sources for resale MSG tickets. Prices are often marked up for high demand events.
- Vivid Seats/Gametime – Other secondary ticket sellers like Vivid Seats and Gametime also resell MSG tickets, generally at higher costs.
- Box Office – You can purchase at the Madison Square Garden box office located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001. There are often long lines and tickets still sell quickly.
Your best bet is checking directly through Ticketmaster and MSG for face value tickets when they initially go on sale. For sold out events, you’ll have to look at the resale ticket market.
How much do tickets cost?
Ticket prices for Madison Square Garden events vary widely depending on the event. Competitive, high-profile concerts like Bruce Springsteen or U2 can cost several hundred dollars if you want floor seats near the stage. Top resale tickets for events like that can cost into the thousands.
For lower bowl seats between the stage and soundboard, you typically are looking at $100-$300 per ticket. Upper bowl and upper level seats run from $50-$150 usually. Service fees from Ticketmaster will also add to costs.
Here are some approximate average price ranges for different events at MSG:
| Event Type | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Concerts (Top performers) | $250-$600+ (Floor seats) |
| Concerts (Mid-level performers) | $75-$250 |
| New York Knicks Games | $60-$600+ |
| New York Rangers Games | $60-$400+ |
| NBA/NHL Exhibition Games | $40-$300 |
| Family Shows | $30-$100 |
The best way to save money on tickets is to look for upper level seating, buy in advance during presales, and avoid reseller marketplaces that markup prices. It all comes down to the specific event, date, and seat location.
Buying tips and strategies
Here are some key strategies for getting good deals on Madison Square Garden tickets and actually securing seats:
Take advantage of presales
Getting presale password access lets you buy tickets before the general public. This gives you first pick of seats before the best ones sell out. Presales occur because of things like:
- VIP Fan Clubs – Join a performer’s fan club to get presales (i.e. Bruce Springsteen’s The River Tour Fan Club)
- Credit Cards – Certain cards like American Express offer ticket presales
- Promoters/Radio Stations – MSG works with promoters and radio stations who give out presale codes
- StubHub and SeatGeek Presales – Reseller sites offer presale codes for MSG events
Take the time to research all presale options and sign up in advance of the tickets going on sale to the general public.
Be ready right when tickets go on sale
When it comes time for big events to go on sale, you need to be ready the minute tickets become available online and prepared for high demand:
- Set up accounts ahead of time on MSG, Ticketmaster, etc
- Make sure payment info is stored for faster checkout
- Coordinate with all members of your group so you can buy tickets together
- Use multiple devices/computers to access tickets
- Avoid getting bogged down selecting seats – just grab something quick
- Keep trying if you don’t get tickets right away in case some get released
Being ready to pounce right at the stroke of the on-sale time will help you avoid tickets immediately selling out from under you.
Aim for weekday or low-profile events
If you are flexible on which events you want to attend, you may be able to score better ticket deals and availability on lower profile events. Things like:
- NBA/NHL regular season games (avoid playoffs/rivalries)
- Weeknight concerts vs weekend shows
- Lesser known performers and family shows
- Preseason sports games
Opening acts can sometimes still be available after a main performer sells out. Paying attention to the full lineup can help you still see big shows for cheaper.
Shop resale sites strategically
If you do need to use the secondary ticket market, you can still find solid deals on sites like StubHub with some patience and strategy:
- Prices typically drop leading up to event dates as sellers lower prices
- Sort by percentage below current average price to find deals
- Search a radius outside NYC like NJ and CT for additional inventory
- Bid on auctions closing soon for potentially better prices
- Filter by Upper Level or Obstructed View seats to save money
Checking back often and understanding how resale sites work can help you score last minute bargains on tickets.
Most in-demand events
Not surprisingly, the toughest events to get tickets for at Madison Square Garden are big name concerts and major sports playoffs. Here are some of the most coveted events every year:
- Billy Joel – Performs monthly residency show at MSG
- Andrea Bocelli – Popular classical tenor always sells out
- Ed Sheeran – Sold out multiple MSG shows on recent tours
- Elton John – Final tour has high demand for farewell NYC shows
- New York Knicks – Games vs rivals like Nets and Lakers
- Rangers Playoff Games – Postseason matchups with Devils, Islanders, etc.
- WWE Wrestlemania – The Super Bowl of professional wrestling
Anything involving New York’s major sports teams playing big games will draw huge interest. The venue only seats a bit over 20,000 fans maximum, so hot tickets go fast.
Booking a suite or private event
Beyond just buying normal tickets, there are specialty options at Madison Square Garden for suites, private events, and hospitality services:
- The Madison Club – All-inclusive VIP club experience with chef dining, cocktails, and more.
- The Loft – Open-air lounge with premium food/drinks and entertainment.
- Delta Sky360 Club – Private arena club with exclusive amenities.
- Private Suites – Watch events from luxury event suites.
- Private Events – Host business meetings, parties, weddings, and more at MSG venues.
For large group gatherings, corporate outings, or ultra exclusive experiences, Madison Square Garden has high-end offerings beyond standard tickets. There are full service event planning resources available as well.
Conclusion
Visiting the self-proclaimed “World’s Most Famous Arena” is a bucket list event for any sports or music fan. While getting tickets to big games and concerts at Madison Square Garden can be competitive, using presales, buying early, and shopping strategically can help you score seats at face value.
With iconic performers and teams taking the stage and court every month, this historic venue is one you want to make sure to experience at least once. Use the tips provided to secure your spot in The Garden stands soon.