If you are looking for NBA tickets in NYC, this guide will provide you with all the essential information you need.
But first, let me tell you that attending a basketball game in NYC is quite an experience and ranks among the best things to do in New York, primarily due to the atmosphere and excitement within the stadium. Even if you’re not a die-hard basketball fan, you’re sure to thoroughly enjoy it.
In fact, when my father and brother visited us, I bought NBA basketball game tickets in New York since they love this sport and I enjoyed it almost as much as they did. It’s an experience I definitely recommend, especially if you’re traveling to New York with kids. We caught a New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden and had a great time. And here’s a tip: booking your tickets in advance will help you save money.
If you don’t want to miss out on your NBA basketball game ticket, take note!
What New York teams play in the NBA?
If you’re thinking about buying basketball game tickets in NYC, you’ve got two teams to choose from—the New York Knickerbockers, fondly known as the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. Both are professional basketball teams, so you’re in for some top-tier basketball at each team’s game.
The New York Knicks, the oldest NY basketball team that plays in the NBA
The New York Knicks are one of the most legendary and oldest sports teams in New York City. It’s no wonder that most tourists seeking basketball game tickets in NYC have their sights set on catching this team in action. With two NBA championship rings in their collection, the Knicks have a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers. Plus, they play at Madison Square Garden, one of the world’s most famous stadiums.
The New York Knicks, the oldest NY basketball team that plays in the NBA
The New York Knicks was founded in 1946 and it’s one of the original teams that laid the foundation for the BAA league (Basketball Association of America). Later, they merged with the NBL (National Basketball League) to become the iconic NBA (National Basketball Association). The list of legendary players who’ve played for the New York Knicks includes names like Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Earl Monroe, and Dave DeBusschere.
There’s no doubt about it; getting your hands on some Madison Square Garden NBA tickets and seeing the New York Knicks would be an unforgettable experience. They’re not just beloved by New Yorkers; they’re one of the most appreciated teams in the world.
For more details, I recommend checking out our guide on purchasing tickets to see the New York Knicks.
The Brooklyn Nets, another New York basketball team that plays in the NBA
The Brooklyn Nets is another New York team that plays in the NBA. While they might not be as famous or as widely celebrated as the New York Knicks, they have a rich history. So, I assure you that if you buy NBA tickets in New York to watch their game, you won’t regret it.
The Brooklyn Nets, another New York basketball team that plays in the NBA
The team was initially formed in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans and competed in the ABA (American Basketball Association). Later, they became known as the New York Nets when they entered the NBA (National Basketball Association), and eventually, they settled into their current identity as the Brooklyn Nets. While they may not boast any NBA championship rings, they do have two conference titles and five division titles to their name. Among their most famous players are Jason Kidd, Buck Williams, Julius Erving, Richard Jefferson, and Brook Lopez.
Their stadium is the Barclays Center, a venue that’s newer and more modern than Madison Square Garden. The Brooklyn Nets are undoubtedly an excellent team, so if you’re interested in more details about buying tickets to see the Brooklyn Nets, I recommend checking out our comprehensive guide.
Where can you watch NBA games in New York?
To catch a basketball game in New York, you have two main options: Madison Square Garden, the home of the New York Knicks, and the Barclays Center, where the Brooklyn Nets play their home games.
Madison Square Garden, the home stadium of the New York Knicks
Besides being one of the most important places to visit in Manhattan, Madison Square Garden serves as the iconic home stadium for the New York Knicks. But that’s not all—it’s also where the New York Rangers, a professional ice hockey team, and the New York Liberty, a professional women’s basketball team, compete. This multipurpose venue even hosts boxing and mixed martial arts matches, as well as various other events. In fact, legendary artists like Elton John, Katy Perry, and Lady Gaga have performed here.
Madison Square Garden, the home stadium of the New York Knicks
This famous arena first opened its doors in early 1879 and can accommodate more than 19,000 spectators. While that may seem like a large crowd, I strongly recommend buying your NBA tickets for New York Madison Square Garden in advance, especially for important games when seats tend to fill up quickly.
Next to the main arena, you’ll find the Hulu Theatre, a smaller venue mainly used for concerts or more exclusive and intimate events. For an in-depth look at this venue, I recommend taking the Madison Square Garden all-access tour that you can book here. It’s also included with the New York Pass.
Barclays Center, the stadium of the Brooklyn Nets
The Barclays Center is the home stadium of the Brooklyn Nets and is one of the most important attractions of Brooklyn. In recent years, it has also served as the headquarters for the New York Islanders, the NHL’s professional ice hockey team.
Barclays Center, the stadium of the Brooklyn Nets
Similar to Madison Square Garden, the Barclays Center has hosted various events, including Summerslam (2018), the Survivor Series (2021), and the MTV Video Music Awards (2013 and 2021).
This stadium was inaugurated in 2012, making it one of the newest and most modern venues in all of New York City. It can accommodate up to 19,000 spectators, but I highly recommend securing your NYC basketball game tickets well in advance, as even with its considerable capacity, seats often fill up quickly.
If you can get NBA tickets for the Brooklyn Nets in New York, I can assure you that it will be an enjoyable experience you won’t soon forget.
When does the NBA season start?
The NBA season typically runs from October to April. These are the months when you’ll have the easiest time finding NBA tickets in NYC for the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks.
From late April to early June, the action continues with the playoffs. Then, at the end of June, the NBA finals are held, which will determine the champion. This means that catching the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets in action from April to June depends on whether one of the teams qualifies for the playoffs.
When does the NBA season start?
If you want to play it safe, I recommend planning your trip to New York between October and April and buying your NYC basketball game tickets as soon as they go on sale, usually around mid-August, for games scheduled during these months. You can check the official website for the calendar, which even includes information about preseason exhibition matches.
Where to buy NBA tickets in New York
To buy NBA tickets in NYC, it’s crucial to keep a few key points in mind. Tickets typically go on sale months in advance, often in mid-August, and they tend to sell out rapidly, especially for games featuring popular teams like the New York Knicks or the Brooklyn Nets.
The best approach is to check the official website for game dates once you’ve locked in your travel plans, and then purchase your NBA game tickets through Hellotickets, which is the website we use. If you’re already in town, you can go to the arena’s ticket office and see if there are any tickets left. But keep in mind that finding available tickets, especially for important games, can be quite difficult.
Where to buy NBA tickets in New York
I do not recommend purchasing tickets from any random website, as there’s a risk of receiving fake tickets. Also avoid buying tickets from forums or individuals directly, as there’ll be nothing you can do in case of a scam. Moreover, be careful about websites offering tickets at significantly lower prices, as these are likely fake as well. To save yourself the hassle, I recommend sticking with trusted options like Hellotickets and Ticketmaster, both of which are completely reliable and secure.
Hellotickets, the best place to buy NBA tickets in New York
When it comes to securing NBA tickets in NYC, Hellotickets is the best option. This website offers tickets for both the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, in addition to tickets for various events hosted at Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center. Moreover, you can even find tickets for Broadway musicals and other exciting New York shows.
If you purchase tickets to an NYC basketball game through Hellotickets, you will receive a confirmation email immediately after making the purchase. This means your tickets and seats will be reserved for the designated date. However, you won’t receive the tickets themselves until 48 hours prior to the game, which will be delivered in PDF format to the same email where you received the confirmation. In some cases, they might even arrive on the same day. And remember that if you have any questions or run into any issues, their customer service team is ready to assist you.
Undoubtedly, Hellotickets is the best site for NBA tickets since it typically offers the best prices. Plus, it’s a completely legitimate and secure platform, ensuring you won’t encounter the risk of purchasing fake tickets.
Ticketmaster, another website where you can get tickets for the NBA in New York
Ticketmaster is one of the best places to buy NBA tickets, specifically for New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets games.
The NBA tickets for NYC purchased via Ticketmaster will be in QR format. You can access them through a mobile app (available exclusively in the United States), or via their website. For the latter, I recommend downloading the tickets to store them on your mobile device. Keep in mind that access to venue tickets won’t be available until 48 hours before the game, and sometimes even on the same day.
Ticketmaster is a completely secure and reliable platform, so all NBA basketball game tickets for New York purchased through this platform are authentic.
Types of tickets for the NBA in NYC
When it comes to tickets to basketball games in NYC, you’ll find a variety of options to choose from, just like any other event. The key thing to keep in mind is that the earlier you buy your NBA tickets, the more choices you’ll have at your disposal.
Generally, the proximity and centrality of seats to the court will determine ticket prices. The most budget-friendly options are typically located in the higher seating areas, while the VIP section has the most expensive tickets.
Types of tickets for the NBA in NYC
In my opinion, buying the most expensive basketball tickets in NYC isn’t always necessary to have an enjoyable experience. So, let me give you some tips on how to buy cheap NBA tickets in New York and which seats to choose.
How to choose the best seats at Madison Square Garden
NBA tickets at New York’s Madison Square Garden are usually expensive since it’s the home arena for one of the most popular and legendary teams in NY. Unless you’re a die-hard fan aiming for front-row seats, you might want to skip the VIP section, because it’s really expensive. Also, avoid choosing seats situated between sections 101 and 120, since they are also quite pricey.
The best options are seats located in sections 200 to 227, offering good visibility and more reasonable prices. In my opinion, these sections are the safest choices. Sections 301 to 328 and 412 to 421 are the cheapest, but keep in mind that they offer less visibility because they are further from the court.
How to choose the best seats at Madison Square Garden
You can use this website to determine the view from your seat. By clicking on different seating areas, you can see a photo depicting the court view from that location—an excellent tool for finding the perfect NBA ticket in New York.
How to choose the best seats at the Barclays Center
Generally speaking, NBA tickets for the New York Brooklyn Nets at the Barclays Center are usually cheaper than at Madison Square Garden. Still, VIP areas and adjacent sections (areas 7, 8, 9, 23, 24, and 25) are quite expensive.
In this case, if you’re looking for excellent visibility at a moderate cost, sections 1 to 31 (excluding 7, 8, 9, 23, 24, and 25) are great options. These sections are close to the court and offer great visibility.
How to choose the best seats at the Barclays Center
If you simply want to enjoy the atmosphere and excitement of the game, you can opt for seats in areas 102 to 126. These sections provide acceptable visibility of the court, and ticket prices are more affordable. Seats further back in sections 201 to 231 are even cheaper but keep in mind that the court will be quite distant and you will hardly have a good view of the game.
To find out how the view of the court looks from your seat, you can check out this website. By selecting various seating areas, you’ll be able to see photos showing the court view from that location, helping you find the ideal NBA ticket in New York.
Price of NBA tickets in New York
The price of NBA game tickets depends on the seating area. Additionally, the timing of your purchase is crucial. So, if you buy your NBA tickets in New York in mid-August, prices are usually lower.
Seats located far from the court and in the corners may start at around $30-40, while seats in well-located areas with good visibility might be priced at approximately $130-150.
For seats closest to the court and in good locations, prices can range from $300 to $500, with the most exclusive areas reaching up to $2,000.
If you want to buy cheap NBA tickets that’ll allow you to enjoy the game and the atmosphere in the stadium at a reasonable price, I recommend looking for seats in the $130-150 range. But you should remember that you have to reserve these tickets as early as possible, as they are usually the first to sell out.
FAQs – NBA tickets in NYC
Now that you know how to buy NBA tickets in New York, let me address some frequently asked questions:
How far in advance should you buy tickets for the NBA in New York?
NBA tickets for the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets typically go on sale in mid-August for the season starting in October. Therefore, it’s advisable to purchase your tickets in August to secure the best prices and seat choices. If you haven’t finalized your travel dates by then, I wouldn’t recommend waiting much longer after booking your flights.
How far in advance do you have to arrive at the stadium on game day?
You must arrive at the stadium at least one hour before the game starts since you must also pass security checks. And don’t forget that the pre-game atmosphere is an experience in itself.
How will I receive tickets for the NBA game?
If you purchase tickets through Hellotickets, you’ll receive them via email in PDF format. For tickets bought through Ticketmaster, you’ll need to download a QR code from your account. You will receive the tickets 48 hours before the game, although in some cases they arrive on the day of the game.
Do children pay admission to the NBA in New York?
It depends on the stadium. At Madison Square Garden, children under 2 years old can enter for free but must not occupy a separate seat and should sit on an adult’s lap. At the Barclays Center, admission is free for children measuring less than 33 inches, who must also sit on an adult’s lap.
Can I get any type of discount for NBA tickets in NY?
While there aren’t specific discounts for NBA tickets in New York, you can find the best prices on Hellotickets by purchasing months in advance.
How can you get cheap NBA tickets in New York?
To get cheap NBA tickets in New York, it’s essential to book your seats as soon as they become available, which is usually in mid-August.
How long does an NBA game last?
An NBA game has 48 minutes of regulation playing time, divided into four 12-minute periods. This usually results in a 2.5-hour game. In the event of a tie, the game may be extended.
Is there a break during the NBA game?
During NYC basketball games, there is a 15-minute break, distributed between quarters.
Can you buy food and drinks in the stadiums during an NBA game in NY?
You can purchase food and drinks during basketball games in NYC, but the prices are relatively high. As outside food or drink is not allowed, the best option is to eat and drink before entering the arena.
Do New York tourist cards include NBA tickets?
New York tourist cards do not include NBA tickets, but this tour offers an in-depth visit to Madison Square Garden.
I hope this guide helps you get your NBA tickets in NYC. If you have any questions or want to share your experience enjoying an NYC basketball game, you can leave me a comment below. I’d love to hear from you!
Enjoy your NBA game to the fullest!
