Madison Square Garden – ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena’ – sits atop Penn Station in midtown Manhattan and is the gold standard for big-city concerts and sports.
The current Garden, the fourth to bear the name, opened in 1968 and holds about 20,000 for concerts.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: New York City
- Type: Indoor arena
- Opened: 1968 (current building)
- Capacity: About 20,000 (concerts)
- Home teams: New York Knicks (NBA), New York Rangers (NHL)
- Nickname: The World’s Most Famous Arena
The Center of the Music World
Selling out the Garden is a career milestone for any artist. From historic concerts to Billy Joel’s record-setting residency, MSG has hosted the biggest names in music for decades, all in the heart of Manhattan.
Sports and Spectacle
MSG is also home to the Knicks and Rangers and has staged championship boxing, college basketball, and award shows – making it one of the most versatile and storied venues anywhere.
Explore more: types of concert venues.
Madison Square Garden FAQs
What is Madison Square Garden’s capacity?
About 20,000 for concerts.
Why is MSG called the World’s Most Famous Arena?
For its central New York location and its long history of hosting legendary concerts and sporting events.
Which teams play at MSG?
The New York Knicks (NBA) and New York Rangers (NHL).
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Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.