Why seat choice matters at MSG
Madison Square Garden is one of the most iconic arenas in the world, but not every seat delivers the same experience. The arena holds around 20,000 for concerts and 19,812 for basketball. Your section, row and side can mean the difference between an unforgettable night and a frustrating one.
Lower bowl (sections 1–22)
The lower bowl puts you closest to the action. For Knicks and Rangers games, sections 1–4 and 9–12 give you midcourt or center-ice views. Corner sections (5–8, 13–16) are solid value picks with angled but close sightlines. Rows 1–10 are premium; rows 15+ start feeling the overhang from the suite level above.
Suite level and club seats
Sections 200–227 sit one level up and offer wider, padded seats with more legroom. The Chase Bridges — suspended seating sections over the ice/court — are a unique MSG experience but not for anyone with height sensitivity. They provide an overhead perspective that is genuinely different from any other arena.
Upper bowl (sections 300–330)
The 300 level is steep but closer to the action than upper decks at most arenas because MSG is relatively compact. Front rows of the 300s (rows A–C) are often the best value in the building. Avoid the last five rows if possible — the ceiling closes in and screens become your primary view.
Concerts vs sports
For end-stage concerts, floor sections closest to the stage are obvious picks, but the lower bowl sides (sections 1–5 and 17–22) often give better overall views with full stage visibility. For 360-degree stage setups, center 300-level sections can be surprisingly great.
Tips
Arrive early to explore the concourse — MSG has been recently renovated with improved food options on every level. The 7th Avenue entrance is less congested than the 8th Avenue side. Penn Station is directly below, making transit straightforward.