May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; General view of Madison Square Garden during the third quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The Knicks’ run to their first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years has generated an estimated $202 million in economic activity in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) president and CEO Janny Pak announced Wednesday.
Should all three scheduled games of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden be played — Game 3 on June 8, Game 4 on June 10, and if necessary, Game 6 on June 16 — that number can potentially jump to as much as an estimated $465 million.
That suggests the Big Apple could see an estimated $90 million per NBA Finals game at MSG. Game 1 of the Finals against the Spurs tips off in San Antonio on Wednesday night (8:30 p.m. ET)
“New Yorkers have been waiting 27 years for this moment,” Mamdani said. “I’ve watched this team from the nosebleeds, from my couch with my family, and alongside neighbors across this city. Millions of New Yorkers have done the same from living rooms, restaurants, barbershops, and street corners in every borough. When the Knicks win, New York comes alive. And as these numbers make clear, that energy supports small businesses, workers, and neighborhoods that make New York what it is. Go Knicks.”
NYCEDC’s analysis, which was compiled by its Economic Research & Policy (ERP) team, accounts for direct impacts from visitor spending, including tickets, concessions, merchandise, transportation, an
Prices to get into any of the NBA Finals games at Madison Square Garden are expectedly soaring, considering the Knicks can potentially win their first championship since 1973. According to TickPick, the get-in price for Game 3 is at $4,604, $$4,527 for Game 4, and $5,811 for Game 6.
For more on the Knicks and the NBA Finals, visit AMNY.com
