What are the Knicks' Game 5 watch party plans?
Knicks fans celebrate during a watch party inside Central Park after the Knicks won Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs on June 10, 2026. Credit: AP/Heather Khalifa
The Knicks held a watch party inside Madison Square Garden during Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, which were played in San Antonio.
With Game 5 also being played in San Antonio on Saturday, and the Knicks having a chance to clinch their first NBA title since 1973, will the team hold another one?
Here's the problem: Australian pop band 5 Seconds of Summer — or 5SOS, as they are known to their fans — has a concert scheduled at the Garden for the same time as Game 5.
MSG also owns Radio City Music Hall, which has no events scheduled for Saturday, so it's possible the watch party could be moved there.
The Knicks have generally not announced the details of a MSG watch parties until the day before the event. A day before, the Knicks have put watch party tickets up for sale online at $10 each, with proceeds going to charity.
A robust secondary market for those tickets sprung up immediately, with some tickets being offered for $200, or 20 times their face value.
An MSG spokesman declined to comment.
Also in doubt on Thursday was the fate of a potential watch party outside the Garden.
A planned party was canceled by MSG before Wednesday's game regarding a dispute with the mayor's office over how many fans would be allowed in a secure area. The NYPD agreed to allow 999 ticketed fans; MSG balked and canceled the event.
Governor Kathy Hochul, at an appearance on Thursday in Corona, Queens, to help cut the ribbon for a World Cup fan zone before that tournament's first match, was asked by Newsday if she thinks there should be a cap on fans attending NBA Finals watch parties outside the Garden.
"You know, I leave these important decisions up to the NYPD," she said "They're responsible for the security of the perimeter. But my view is, as many fans as can celebrate together. This is magical. It’s once in a lifetime. It’s gonna create memories you’re gonna pass on to your kids, cause this is our moment."
Newsday's Matthew Chayes contributed to this story.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
