Many New York Knicks fans are choosing to travel to away games instead of shelling out for steep Madison Square Garden prices.
For Game 1 of the playoffs against the Atlanta Hawks, tickets in the nosebleed section have skyrocketed to over $350, with some fans finding that booking flights to Georgia is, surprisingly, a more budget-friendly option.
Alan Fong, a lifelong Knicks supporter from Brooklyn, mentioned the difficulty of finding reasonably priced tickets. He paid $300 for a nosebleed seat just an hour before the game, highlighting the challenge of attending home games without breaking the bank.
Fong noted that after witnessing a Knicks game in Memphis earlier this season, where the total cost for tickets, hotel, and airfare for four was less than a pair of comparable seats in New York, traveling for games became a viable option for him.
“It’s hard to believe I can’t get a ticket to MSG even considering flight and hotel costs,” Fong lamented, admitting he’s already eyeing more flights to support his team.
He remarked, “I was looking at some Atlanta tickets, and they seem pretty good. If the numbers work out, it’d be awesome to cheer them on.”
This season, Knicks ticket prices at Madison Square Garden have hit record highs, with resale values up nearly 20% from the previous year. In contrast, tickets for the game in Atlanta were under $100, and flights could be found for less than $80.
When comparing current prices at MSG for Round 1 to three years ago, fans are facing an additional $200 markup.
As ticket prices soar, fans are increasingly seeking out-of-state games, even exchanging tips on social media. One outlet noted: “It’s cheaper to fly to Denver than to get a decent seat at MSG,” while another fan shared plans to attend the Atlanta game for similar reasons.
Brian Berry, representing major ticket resale companies, observed a notable trend: more fans are traveling to games in other cities to score better deals. The cost differences often depend on factors like game schedules and local fan interests.
According to reports, tickets for an upcoming Celtics game reached an eye-watering $1,175, and on another day, standing-room tickets hovered around $376, with courtside seats exceeding $46,500.
Fong expressed regret over no longer attending games frequently due to the dramatic price increases compared to his past experiences, where he could find tickets for under $100.
Berry added that since the pandemic, ticket suppliers have tested varying price points to see how much fans are willing to spend. According to the Consumer Price Index, sports ticket prices jumped significantly over the past year, far outpacing general inflation.
An MSG official acknowledged these rising ticket costs but stressed the expensive nature of running an NBA team. They mentioned efforts to control ticket pricing, including policies aimed at reducing resale markup.
Ultimately, the trend of fans flying to other cities for more affordable games reflects a shift in consumer behavior, suggesting that while prices at the box office rise, not all events are selling out as they used to.
With the Knicks performing well, ticket prices for future matchups will likely continue to climb, pushing even more fans to consider alternative viewing options.
An MSG representative has yet to comment on these recent trends.
