You’ve heard of the NBA, everyone has told you to go and see a game. That’s normal, because the NBA in the US is more than just a basketball game.
The NBA is undoubtedly the best basketball league in the world, so it’s a must for basketball fans. But that’s not all, as many people go there to experience the surreal atmosphere of a New York basketball match.
In this article, we talk about the main teams, including the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, but we also answer the questions that are on everyone’s lips before going to see an NBA match in New York. So, where should you go to see the game? When and how do you book your ticket? And above all, where can you find discounted tickets? We invite you to follow this guide right to the end so that you don’t miss out on any of the most useful information.
What NBA game to see in New York?
When it comes to discovering the magic of the NBA in New York, we spontaneously think of a Knicks game!
Since 1943, this team has been adored by the New York public, who still play at Madison Square Garden (MSG). What’s more, the Knicks have made a name for themselves thanks to their hugely popular players, including Amar’s Stoudemire, Carmelo Anthony, Ronny Turiaf and Patrick Ewing.
Knicks calendar
Nets calendar
But apart from the Knicks, you can also check out another great New York team: the Nets.
When to see a New York basketball game?
The NBA season is divided into three phases:
- In October, pre-season matches are generally 4 matches over a maximum period of 15 days.
- From late October to early April, it’s time for the regular season.
- The play-offs run from mid-April to early June.
If your stay takes place between October and April, you have a great chance of attending a basketball match in New York. The two New York teams have to finish in the top 6 places in the EAST conference to qualify for the play-offs. From 7th to 10th, they play off to qualify for the play-offs, so you can see them play in April.
The calendars above are regularly updated to show you upcoming matches. If you don’t see any matches for the months of April to June, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any. It’s just that the regular season is under way and they’re trying to qualify. As soon as we have the final standings, we’ll update this page, so don’t hesitate to sign up for the newsletter to receive information.
Where to see the game?
If you want to see a basketball match in New York, there are two options. The first is in Manhattan, at Madison Square Garden, where you can watch the New York Knicks play. The other option is to go to Brooklyn to watch a Brooklyn Nets match at the Barclays Center. Both teams play at the highest level of the NBA in the EST Conference.
See a basketball match in Manhattan
The Knicks play their matches at Madison Square Garden, better known to locals as The Garden: New York’s iconic stadium with a capacity of 19,000. It is located between 31st and 33rd Streets in the heart of Manhattan!
Going to see an NBA match at Madison Square Garden is an extraordinary experience, in an exceptional venue that hosts a series of large-scale musical and sporting events… Thrills guaranteed!
The metro is the quickest and easiest way to get there, with almost all lines connecting to the nearest point of the MSG:
- 34 St-Penn Station (8th Avenue) A/C/E
- 34 St-Penn Station (7th Avenue) 1/2/3
- 34 St-Herald Sq station, (6th Avenue, situated at one block of the MSG) B/D/F/M/N/Q/R
The underground ride costs $3 or $2.75 with the Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard.
See a NBA game in Brooklyn
Attending a basketball game in Brooklyn is an unforgettable experience for basketball fans. Founded in 1967, the team went through several moves and name changes before settling permanently in Brooklyn in 2012 at the Barclays Center, now the iconic arena where the Nets play their home games.
Opened in September 2012, this state-of-the-art stadium can accommodate up to 19,000 spectators for basketball games. The design of the Barclays Center is remarkable, with its corrugated steel façade and interior equipped with all modern conveniences, offering a first-class spectator experience.
Getting to Barclays Center is easy, thanks to its central location and New York’s excellent public transport links. The easiest way is to use the metro: several lines serve the Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center station, including lines 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, and R. This station is one of the most important, making access to the stadium convenient from anywhere in the city. For those who prefer the bus, many lines stop close to the stadium.
Attending a Nets game at the Barclays Center is more than just a sporting event, it’s an immersion in local culture with passionate fans in an electrifying atmosphere. Whether you’re a long-time New York resident or a visitor, experiencing an NBA game in Brooklyn is an experience not to be missed.
How much is a ticket for a NBA game?
The price of tickets to see a basketball match depends on a number of factors:
- The team you’re going to see, prices for the Nets are generally cheaper.
- The location of your seat – the closer you are to the ground, the more expensive the tickets.
- The period when the match takes place, during the regular season (October to April) or the playoffs (April to June).
- The prestige of the opponent.
If you book in advance, in the regular season and against less prestigious teams, you can get tickets costing around 20€ to 60€ for the Nets (see prices) and 90€ to 180€ for the Knicks (see prices). For the big games, if you book on the day, tickets can cost between 300€ and 600€.
Booking
When to book your ticket?
Although it is possible to book at the gates of the MSG, it is strongly advised to take your NBA tickets online as soon as possible. Booking online offers many advantages, particularly in terms of time and money.
Where to buy ticket?
Right here because you can see the prices according to the matches, you arrive on a site in French, secure and customer service is very responsive.
You can click on different squares to see the view from the selected square.
Which seat should I choose at Madison Square Garden?
The best seats are in section 100, particularly 105 to 109 or 115 to 119, which are the most expensive ($100 to $1,000) but the best positioned.
However, the 200s are great for a great experience at a lower price. If you’re going just to experience the atmosphere of an NBA game and you’re not necessarily a basketball fan, get tickets in sections 208 to 214 or 221 to 227 (around $70 to $250).
Are you on a tight budget and have an overwhelming desire to see an NBA game? If so, you can buy a ticket to see the Nets at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Indeed, tickets in Brooklyn are more affordable than those at the MSG (in Manhattan). The venue is just as attractive and still true to American proportions. And, to be honest, it’s the atmosphere that’s most coveted!
When can I get to the stadium?
To make the most of this unique experience, it’s best to arrive at the stadium around forty minutes before the start of the match. Security staff are meticulous in their searches, so you risk missing the whole show.
If you arrive early, you’ll also have plenty of time to get in and have something to eat. However, don’t arrive too early either, or you risk getting bored.
Save on postage with e-tickets
To reduce the cost of sending your tickets, we recommend you use electronic tickets! For an NBA match, the costs associated with your order are divided into 2 categories:
Delivery fees
E-billlets cost $7.95 to ship, compared with $40 for paper tickets to France via FedEx.
Service fees
The service charge is approximately 30% per ticket (applicable to both types of ticket).
On the face of it, this may seem expensive, but there’s a bright side: you benefit from a secure ticketing system that protects the ticket barcodes from any illicit activity. What’s more, this ensures that you have a safe entry to the MSG while avoiding a mishap that could cost you your seat.
The ticket delivery system is evolving and there will be no more electronic tickets downloaded and printed before you go to the match. These are now real e-tickets with which you can access the stadium via your smartphone.
Once you have purchased your tickets, you will receive a link by email asking you to accept the transfer of the tickets. This link will redirect you to the Ticketmaster website to create a Knicks or Nets account.
An application is available for each team, which you will need to download. You will then present the QR code on your smartphone screen on the day of the match. QR codes will normally be displayed 48 hours before the match.
Useful information and practical advice
Accommodation
Ideally, you’d think of finding a place close to the stadium, but you should be aware that prices are high in this central area. However, you will be able to use the underground 24 hours a day in New York, although it runs less frequently (every 20 minutes from midnight to 6am). In any case, you’ll have no trouble finding hotels in New York a little further away.
Catering
You’ll find hot dog and nacho vendors roaming the stadium. But what they offer is pretty expensive! For a more varied and affordable menu, you can pop into one of the surrounding restaurants, such as Hill Country Barbecue Market, Shake Shack, Sausage Boss by Andrew Carmellini or Chicken & Fries.
How can you make the most of your match?
As mentioned above, it’s best to arrive 40-45 minutes or even an hour before the match to take full advantage of the atmosphere. The pre-match programme includes brass bands, cheerleaders and, of course, training and player introductions.
The area around the MSG offers a rich programme of events. You can watch the matches on big screens at Lucy’s Cantina Royale, an exotic rooftop terrace. Happy hours start at 4pm and finish around 7pm.
Surprises and memories
There’s a shop dedicated exclusively to the Knicks, where you’ll find team jerseys and other accessories that you can treat yourself to as a souvenir of your visit to New York.
The match is interspersed with breaks featuring Kiss cam, Celibrity cam and other mini-games. And you can also look forward to some surprises, with goodies including T-shirts to be won, sent out by air cannon.
Now you have all the information you need to set sail for the Empire State and enjoy the NBA. A great way to live the “American dream”…
