New York Knicks enthusiasts are finding that attending an NBA Finals game in San Antonio might be more economical than watching it at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Currently, the least expensive tickets for a Knicks home game at MSG are priced at nearly $4,000 each. CNN highlighted this difference shortly before the start of Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Analyst Matt Egan remarked, It would certainly be cheaper to fly to San Antonio for a game.
He explained that fans could secure a hotel for several nights in San Antonio for around $600, and flights are approximately $700 for a round trip. This would enable attending both Game 1 and Game 2 of the NBA Finals in San Antonio, costing about $3,100, which is less than witnessing the game in New York, priced at almost $4,000. Additionally, fans would enjoy a few days in Texas.
According to Egan, some Knicks fans are already opting for this alternative. Data indicates that 30% of the purchases for Game 2 in San Antonio were made by buyers with New York ZIP codes. For comparison, tickets to Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio are priced at about $750 and $1,100, respectively. In contrast, near-courtside seats at MSG are fetching up to $220,000.
Sal Galatioto, president of Galatioto Sports Partners, expressed discontent with the pricing. Even wealthy fans are getting priced out,
he stated. I’m a huge Knicks fan. Would I spend $100,000 to see a game? No way.
The high ticket prices reflect the excitement surrounding the Knicks’ first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, with potential for even greater increases if the series extends to Game 6 at MSG. There is significant anticipation for the Finals, given the Knicks’ return and the rising stardom of Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, a key figure at just 22 years old.
Matt Ferrel, head of marketing at TickPick, likened the price surge to a Super Bowl moment
for the NBA Finals at MSG. President Donald Trump has plans to attend a Finals game at MSG, potentially Game 3, following invitations.