There’s good news (and not-so-good news) for Knicks fans looking for the return of the watch party outside Madison Square Garden during the NBA Finals.
The good news? Yes, there will once again be a watch party for fans outside of the “world’s most famous arena” for Game 4, as New York takes on the San Antonio Spurs with a 2-1 lead in the series.
The not-so-good: It will be a ticketed event with plenty of heightened security, similar to the setup that was in place for Game 3, when President Donald Trump became the first-ever sitting president to attend an NBA Finals game. And with that came levels of additional security.
The NYPD released details Tuesday evening of what the protocols around the watch party at Plaza33 on Wednesday will be. Only those with tickets will be allowed to attend, and everyone in attendance will have to go through security screening at the location, the NYPD said.
Those attending can only go through an access point on the west side of Sixth Avenue at West 33rd Street. Anyone who leaves the designated watch party area will not be allowed to re-enter, according to police.
The security perimeter will go from 29th Street to 35th Street between Sixth and Eighth avenues. Starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, that area will be closed to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Eighth Avenue will remain open to vehicles, but it could be closed off if police deem it necessary.
The NYPD advised fans to avoid the area, unless they are going to the game or have business in the area. The only people who will be allowed into the restricted zone after 4 p.m. will be those with a ticket to the game, a train ticket, are going to a restaurant or bar in the area, live in the area, are credentialed, or have another authorized reason to be there.
Those looking to access the secured area can enter at:
- The west side of Sixth Avenue at West 33rd Street. This is also where those with tickets to the watch party will enter.
- The west side of Sixth Avenue at West 32nd Street.
- The west side of Eighth Avenue at West 33rd Street.
- The northeast corner of Eighth Avenue and West 30th Street.
An important note on what is allowed: No backpacks, bags, umbrellas or alcohol will be allowed inside the secured area. The only exception will be for travelers using Penn Station to leave or enter the city, though their bags will still be screened, according to police.
The Knicks already announced a strict no-bag policy, and fans are urged to take as little as possible. The team also said there would be no storage at MSG for prohibited items brought to the arena. See the list.
Bars and restaurants inside the security perimeter will be able to operate with strict capacity limits. Anyone looking to go to one of the bars or restaurants will have to be screened as well.
Further details would be shared by Madison Square Garden, police said. About an hour after the plans were shared, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. called Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch “New York City’s biggest party poopers” in a statement.
“We now know these restrictions were never about the President — it was just a convenient excuse to restrict how and when Knicks fans celebrate,” the statement said. “The actions of the Mayor and Police Commissioner, supposedly in support of the Knicks and their fans, are difficult to understand. We urge them to lift these restrictions and embrace the love of the team.”
The MSG group did not address Monday night’s official Knicks watch party at Bryant Park, which became violent as hoards of people stopped traffic on 42nd Street. Five officers were hurt, according to police, and 21 people were taken into custody in the melee.
No further information on the watch party was shared by MSG.
Mayor Mamdani posted on social media confirming the ticketed watch party outside the Garden, and called for no more of the violence that was seen after Monday night’s game.
“As we prepare to watch together, let me be clear: this is a historic, joyful moment for our city. We will not allow it to be disrupted by violence. Be safe, take care, and celebrate responsibly. Knicks in 5,” the mayor posted on X.
There will be additional watch parties for fans at Wollman Rink in Central Park, as well as at Brooklyn Bowl.
News 4’s Charles Watson reports from Madison Square Garden
At least one business located inside the secured area told NBC New York that the security measures put in place likely mean they will lose out on big business for the second time in a week.
“I had tons of staff, extra bodies, extra security and it did not meet expectations,” said Frank “Elvis” Falesto, the owner of Pennsylvania 6 NYC, on West 31st Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.
“We had about 180 reservations for the pregame segment,” he said. “Fifty percent or less of the people actually made it to the earlier segment.”
Falesto said the restrictions put in place on Monday made it difficult for patrons who had reservations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
