This summer, New York City is buzzing in a whole new way, especially now that the Knicks have made it to the 2026 NBA Finals.
On Monday night, the Knicks celebrated their return to Madison Square Garden for the Finals for the first time since 1999, clinching a victory over the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
They’ve got a bit of a break—nine days, to be exact—before the series kicks off on June 3rd against either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Western Conference Finals is currently tied at 2-2, so there’s still some drama unfolding there.
The excitement in the New York/New Jersey area might get a little crowded, though, as it’s also the location for the World Cup starting June 11th, with the finals set for July 19th at MetLife Stadium.
Commuters could face some logistical challenges on June 16th, the same day Game 6 of the Finals could happen at The Garden. It’s worth noting that World Cup matches, including one between France and Senegal, are scheduled at MetLife during that time, which has temporarily been renamed for the event.
If the Finals do reach Game 6, it’s slated for June 16th, 8:30 PM ET. Fans hoping to see both the Knicks and the World Cup will need to plan their travels carefully.
The match between France and Senegal is on at 3:00 PM ET, which could complicate things a bit. The potential overlap could make it tricky for fans trying to return home after a World Cup game and catch the Finals.
In light of the anticipated crowds, New York Penn Station and New Jersey Transit are implementing some changes to accommodate everyone.
They plan to prioritize trains heading to New Jersey for those with tickets to the World Cup, and commuters not attending the game are advised to rethink their travel plans on game day.
Fans took over Seventh Avenue outside Madison Square Garden after the Knicks’ impressive 130-93 victory in Game 4 in Cleveland.
The NYPD found itself quite busy, with some fans climbing street lamps, brandishing brooms, and even standing atop subway structures.
It’s going to be something to see—Knicks fans mingling with World Cup enthusiasts near New York Penn Station during this electrifying time.
