Knicks Fans Find Cheaper NBA Finals Experience in San Antonio
New York Knicks fans have found a surprising cost-saving option for attending NBA Finals games. Flying to San Antonio and attending games there is significantly cheaper than watching at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Currently, the cheapest tickets for a Knicks home game at MSG are nearly $4,000 each.
CNN highlighted the price disparity before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Analyst Matt Egan commented on the situation, saying, “It absolutely would be cheaper [to fly to San Antonio for a game].” In San Antonio, fans can find a few nights of hotel accommodation for $600 and a round-trip flight for $700. Adding tickets to Games 1 and 2 is still less expensive than a single ticket at MSG. The total cost would be about $3,100, offering more value than the almost $4,000 price tag at MSG. Additionally, fans would get to enjoy a few days in Texas.
Knicks fans celebrate winning the Eastern Conference championship against the Cleveland Cavaliers in New York City on May 25, 2026.
The Knicks’ last visit to the NBA Finals was in 1999, and they have not won a championship since 1973. Analyst Egan notes that some Knicks fans are acting on this cost-saving strategy. Ticket data reveals that 30% of Game 2 purchases in San Antonio were from buyers with New York ZIP codes.
For comparison, the cheapest seats for Games 1 and 2 in San Antonio are priced at roughly $750 and $1,100, respectively. Meanwhile, near-courtside seats at MSG are listed for as much as $220,000 each. “Even the wealthy fans are getting priced out,” stated Sal Galatioto, president of investment bank Galatioto Sports Partners. “I’m a huge Knicks fan. Would I spend $100,000 to see a game? No way.”
The high prices reflect the high demand and excitement around the Knicks reaching the NBA Finals after such a long gap. Prices might rise if the series progresses to Game 6, slated to be held at Madison Square Garden.
Despite previous criticism of the NBA, there is unmistakable enthusiasm about this Finals matchup. Not only do fans celebrate the Knicks’ return, but they are also excited about the prominence of Spurs’ young star Victor Wembanyama, who is gaining attention at the age of 22.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama dribbles during Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on May 30, 2026.
Prices for the NBA Finals at MSG mirror those of the Super Bowl. Matt Ferrel, TickPick’s head of marketing, told CNN, “The NBA Finals at the Garden are having a Super Bowl moment, price-wise.”
President Donald Trump plans to attend an NBA Finals game at MSG. “I think I’ll be going to one of the games,” Trump said, mentioning his invitation from numerous people and Knicks owner James Dolan. The Knicks are currently positioned as +155 underdogs in the series.