Madison Square Garden facts for kids

The Garden from Seventh Avenue at the side.

The Madison Square Garden (often called The Garden or MSG) is a famous indoor arena in New York City. It's located in the area of Manhattan. This arena is the home for two big sports teams: the New York Knicks (a basketball team in the NBA) and the New York Rangers (a hockey team in the NHL). Many exciting concerts and special events happen here every year. Some college basketball games are also played at The Garden.

Did you know there have been four different buildings named Madison Square Garden? They were all in Manhattan. The very first one was an open-air arena built in 1879. It was located at East 26th Street and Madison Avenue. This first Garden was torn down and replaced by an indoor arena in 1890, right in the same spot. The third MSG opened in 1925, on Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets. The Madison Square Garden we know today opened in 1968. It's at 4 Penn Plaza, near 8th Avenue and 33rd Street in Manhattan. It was named after James Madison, who was the 4th President of the United States.

Seating at The Garden

The arena has six main sections for people to sit. One section isn't used when hockey games are played. This is because a hockey rink is bigger than a basketball court.

The seating sections used to have different colors like red, orange, yellow, brown, and blue. But fans of the New York Rangers hockey team really loved the blue seats. They only wanted to sit there and didn't want other fans to use them! Because of this, Madison Square Garden doesn't use those colors for its seats anymore. Today, the most energetic fans often sit in section 400.

The number of people who can watch an event changes depending on what's happening.

• For hockey games, about 18,200 people can fit.
• For basketball games, up to 19,763 people can watch.
• For concerts, as many as 20,000 people can enjoy the show!

Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero at Wrestlemania 20 hosted in Madison Square Garden.

George Strait performing at Madison Square Garden, January 21, 2003.

Famous Events at Madison Square Garden

Many important and memorable events have taken place at Madison Square Garden throughout its history.

Sports History

• The unique track cycling race called the "madison" was actually invented at the second Garden. It was named after both the first and second Madison Square Gardens. Both arenas were very important places for cycling races in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
• The Big East Conference holds its yearly men's basketball tournament at MSG. This is a big event for college basketball fans.

Celebrity Birthdays and Concerts

• In 1962, John F. Kennedy, who was the U.S. President at the time, celebrated his 45th birthday at the third MSG. At his party, the famous singer Marilyn Monroe sang "Happy Birthday" to him.
• In 2007, the legendary musician Elton John celebrated his 60th birthday at the current MSG. This concert was also his 60th show at this arena where every single ticket was sold!

Popular Concerts and Performers

Madison Square Garden is a world-famous place for concerts. Many of the biggest music stars have performed here. Here are just some of the amazing artists who have played at The Garden:

• Bob Marley
• Led Zeppelin
• Frank Sinatra
• Elton John
• Elvis Presley
• The Rolling Stones
• Madonna
• John Lennon
• Michael Jackson
• Lady Gaga
• Justin Bieber
• One Direction (British Boyband)

Home Teams of MSG

Madison Square Garden is the proud home arena for several professional and college sports teams:

• New York Rangers (part of the NHL)
• New York Knicks (part of the NBA)
• New York Liberty (part of the WNBA)
• St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team (part of the NCAA) – they play most of their home games here.

Images for kids

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  A basketball game at Madison Square Garden circa 1968

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  The New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues play hockey beneath the renovated Garden's new HD scoreboard in January 2014

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  Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page performing at Madison Square Garden in 1973

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  Eric Clapton (pictured at the Garden in 2015) has played 45 concerts at the venue since 1968.

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  Katy Perry onstage at the venue in 2017

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  Madison Square Garden, as it appeared during "Mark Messier Night" on January 12, 2006

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  Getting the arena ready for a basketball game in 2005

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  The 7th Avenue entrance to Madison Square Garden and Penn Station in 2013

See also

In Spanish: Madison Square Garden para niños