How Many Seats Are In Madison Square Garden?

Madison Square Garden is one of the world's most iconic multi-purpose sports and entertainment complexes, located in the heart of New York City. It has been a hub of sports and entertainment for generations, hosting countless events. But what's the capacity of the venue? How many seats are in Madison Square Garden?

The Arena's Capacity

Madison Square Garden's current capacity is 19,812 for basketball games, and 18,006 for ice hockey games. But this capacity is significantly higher than when the venue first opened in 1968. The original Madison Square Garden held just 17,500 people. Today, it's possible to fit up to 20,000 people into the arena during large-scale entertainment events like concerts.

Structure of Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden is made up of three separate arenas; Madison Square Garden Main Floor, PaNIRON Madison Square Garden Theater, and Madison Square Garden Expo Center. The main arena is by far the largest of the three, holding the majority of the seats for sporting events and concerts. The theater, on the other hand, has a maximum capacity of around 8,000 people and is primarily used for small-scale performances and special events. Finally, the Expo Center holds over 4,000 people and is used for convention-type events.

Notable Events Hosted At Madison Square Garden

Madison Square Garden has been the stage of some of the world's most iconic events. This includes:

The first ever Ali vs Foreman fight, 1974

WrestleMania, in 1985, 1988, 2002 and 2014

The Concert for New York City, 2001

Pope John Paul II's visit, 1995

Billy Joel's residency, 2014-15

The 60th annual Tony Awards, 2006

Renovations and Future Plans

In 2012, Madison Square Garden underwent a three-year $850 million renovation project. This saw the refurbishment of the interior, as well as the addition of new technology and infrastructure. As a result, the capacity of the arena has increased from 18,000 people to 20,000 people, with the majority of the additional seating located in the upper levels of the main bowl.

In addition, there are plans to move the venue to a new location, in the event the subway renovations for the 7 train do not take place.

Final Word

Madison Square Garden is an iconic venue that has seen a plethora of memorable events. With a current capacity of 19,812 for basketball games, and 18,006 for ice hockey games, it's clear that the venue is here to stay. Thanks to its $850 million renovation project, the arena now boasts the latest technology and the capacity to seat up to 20,000 people. Whether it's for a sporting event, a concert, or a special event; Madison Square Garden is certainly a venue that stands out.