(Reuters) — The Knicks’ upset victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals not only flipped New York to the favorite to win the title, it sent the price soaring for those hoping to see a game at Madison Square Garden.
Ahead of Game 2 in San Antonio on Friday night, the get-in price for Monday’s Game 3 at MSG reached $9,095, according to ticket tracking service TicketData. That represented a 119% increase over the past three days. Before the series began, the get-in price for Game 3 was $3,789, but that more than doubled after the Knicks’ 10-point victory in the series opener.
By contrast, the get-in price for Game 2 has plummeted 42% to $657 over the past three days with the Spurs having lost their grasp on home-court advantage.
The Knicks are making their first Finals appearance in 27 years and seeking the franchise’s first NBA title in 52 years. That has put an extreme premium on the limited tickets available for their home games.
The get-in price for Game 4 was sitting at $8,567 by Friday afternoon, up 107% over the previous 72 hours. Should the series reach Game 6 back at MSG, the get-in price was $8,541.
The prospect of a Game 7 in San Antonio remained flat at $3,868, although that price would be expected to rise if the series ultimately goes the distance. In that case, it is expected that Knicks fans seeking to travel to San Antonio would quickly drive the get-in price up.
If ticket prices for games at MSG hold, they would be more expensive than each of the past two Super Bowls, which had day-of-game get-in prices of $2,002 in 2025 and $3,251 this year. The average Super Bowl get-in price since the end of the Covid-19 pandemic has been $3,914, according to TicketData.
The company said the Knicks’ focus on making sure their season-ticket holders are fans and not professional resellers has contributed to the limited supply on the secondary market. There also is wide appeal for the matchup against the Spurs and rising superstar Victor Wembanyama.
Get-in prices
Game 2 – San Antonio: $657 (Down 42% past three days)
Game 3 – New York: $9,095 (Up 119%)
Game 4 – New York: $8,567 (Up 107%)
Game 5 – San Antonio: $1,571 (Down 7%)
Game 6 – New York: $8,541 (Up 59%)
Game 7 – San Antonio: $3,868 (Flat)
The Knicks’ rally from a 14-point deficit to win on Wednesday night also flipped them to -140 favorites at BetMGM to win the series. Before the game, the Spurs were the -225 title favorites.
