Madison Square Garden concert guide: bags, subway, ID

Madison Square Garden sits on 7th Avenue between West 31st and West 33rd Streets in Midtown Manhattan, right on top of Penn Station. The current building opened in 1968, and Wikipedia puts its concert capacity at about 22,000. The venue calls itself "The World's Most Famous Arena", and Billy Joel has played it more than anyone: 150 shows as of July 2024, according to Wikipedia.

The rules below are taken from MSG's own FAQ and visitor pages, plus MTA, Amtrak and NJ Transit, all checked on 3 October 2026. Some rules change from show to show, so read your event page as well. For more gigs around town, see our New York city page.

Quick facts

MSG bag policy: do bags have to be clear?

No. Some past shows had artist-specific clear-bag rules, which is where the confusion comes from. As of October 2026, MSG's FAQ says bags don't have to be clear. They do have to fit comfortably under your seat, and anything larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches is turned away.

Every bag, whatever its size, goes through an x-ray. At the screening point, be ready to empty your pockets (keys, wallet, phone), and you'll be asked to take off hats, sunglasses and face coverings before you reach it.

Some smaller rules from the FAQ:

• Strollers are fine if they collapse and fit under your seat.
• Laptops and tablets are allowed at normal shows if the bag they're in meets the size limit. There's no storage for them.
• Only service animals are allowed. MSG recommends contacting Accessibility Services beforehand.
• Costumes are mostly fine, but no large costumes, big headpieces or fake weapons, and full-face coverings only go on after security.

What you can't bring in

MSG's list is examples only, may vary by event, and staff can refuse anything they think is inappropriate. It includes:

• weapons of any kind (firearms, tasers and stun guns, knives of all sizes), mace or pepper spray, laser pointers, fireworks and aerosol cans
• outside food and drink, including alcohol, and illegal substances
• signs, banners and flags; noisemakers such as cowbells, alarms and airhorns; balls and frisbees
• drones, hoverboards and skateboards
• professional cameras with telephoto or zoom lenses, video cameras, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks and poles
• audio recorders and A/V recorders such as GoPro, Google Glass and Spectacles
• clothing with explicit, inciting, profane or derogatory content

Phones are fine, except at device-free shows (more on those below). Smoking, including e-cigarettes, isn't allowed anywhere in the building under New York City regulations, and MSG says doing it can get you thrown out.

Can you leave and come back in?

No. MSG's FAQ says all exits are final. Step outside to meet a friend and your night's over.

Which entrance should you use?

Your digital ticket tells you which entrance to use, based on your seat. MSG has general entrances on the north, south, east and west sides, plus VIP entrances.

If you're a CLEAR member, MSG says there's a CLEAR lane at the 8th Avenue Chase Entrances B and C, subject to availability.

Door times aren't standard. MSG's FAQ doesn't give a set doors-open time, so check your ticket or the event page.

Tickets, phones and device-free shows

Tickets are digital and have to be shown on a smartphone. Add them to your phone's wallet before you arrive; one phone can hold several tickets. Transfers go through Ticketmaster. The FAQ says all sales are final, with no refunds or exchanges.

What is a "device free" show?

Some artists make their shows device free. At those, MSG doesn't allow recording devices of any kind: phones, smart watches, cameras, tablets, laptops, Fitbits and Bluetooth headphones are all covered.

How it works, per MSG's FAQ:

• Small devices go into a Yondr pouch when you arrive. You keep the pouch with you, and it's unlocked at the end of the show. Yondr unlocking stations are there if you need to use your phone during the night.
• Laptops and tablets are taken and stored onsite for the show.
• Print your ticket at home. You'll need to do this through your Ticketmaster account in a desktop browser. MSG says it has onsite scanning for people who couldn't print.
• If you need a device for medical reasons, contact Yondr in advance or talk to a Yondr rep at the venue about an exemption.

Kids and age limits

For most events, children under 2 don't need a ticket if they sit on a parent's or guardian's lap. Some family shows need a ticket for every child over 1, so check the event page. Most events have no age limit, and age-restricted shows say so on the event page. MSG strongly suggests under-18s come with a parent or guardian, and there's no waiting area for parents.

Box office hours

The box office is open Monday to Saturday, 12pm to 6pm, and closed on Sundays, except on event days, when it opens at noon and stays open until an hour after the event starts.

How to get to Madison Square Garden

MSG is directly above Penn Station, so the train is the easy option. Don't drive if you can help it.

Subway

• 1, 2, 3, A, C or E to 34th St-Penn Station. You come up underneath the arena.
• B, D, F, M, N, Q or R to 34th St-Herald Square, then walk one block west.
• From Grand Central (Metro-North): take the Shuttle or the 7 to Times Square, then a downtown 1, 2 or 3 to 34th St-Penn Station.

To pay, tap a contactless card, phone or wearable (or an OMNY card) on the reader. MTA says the MetroCard is being phased out. OMNY also has a weekly fare cap: if you tap the same card or device every time, rides are free for the rest of that 7-day period once you reach the cap.

Commuter trains and Amtrak

Long Island Rail Road and NJ Transit both run into Penn Station, and MSG points visitors to their schedules. Amtrak's New York station is Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, 351 West 31st Street. Amtrak runs Acela, Northeast Regional, Keystone and Empire Service trains from there, to cities including Boston, Philadelphia, Washington DC and Buffalo.

PATH, ferry and bus

• PATH from New Jersey stops at 33rd Street, on 6th Avenue (Avenue of the Americas).
• NY Waterway ferries run from Weehawken, Hoboken, Jersey City and Belford to West 39th Street in Midtown. MSG says a free NY Waterway shuttle runs to the Garden. We couldn't confirm evening hours, so check with NY Waterway.
• Buses M4, M10, M16, M34 and Q32 stop at 7th Avenue and Penn Station.

Parking

MSG doesn't describe any parking of its own. It points people to SpotHero, its parking partner, to book a space in a nearby garage or lot. Expect to pay. MSG also says it isn't responsible for parking tickets or vandalism while you're parked for an event.

Rideshare and taxis

There's no rideshare zone at the building itself. MSG says to get dropped off and picked up along 7th or 8th Avenue between 31st and 34th Streets. Lyft is MSG's rideshare partner.

Getting home after the show

New York's subway runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year, so there is always a way out of Midtown. Late at night some lines change their routes, and MTA publishes a late-night subway map. Plan with the MTA app, the trip planner on its website, or by calling 511.

• Long Island: the LIRR runs 24/7, but schedules vary. Many trains start or end at Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. The MTA's TrainTime app sells tickets, tracks trains in real time and plans trips.
• New Jersey: NJ Transit's app has a trip planner, your tickets, and DepartureVision for live departures.
• PATH: we couldn't confirm late-night PATH hours, so check them before the show.

MSG posts travel advisories (such as weather warnings) on its site, so check it on the day.

Inside: paying, food and drink

Is MSG cashless?

Yes. It takes credit and debit cards and mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay). If you only have cash, use one of the reverse ATMs around the venue. They turn cash into a debit card you can spend inside. The ATMs and reverse ATMs have braille keypads, volume control, voice activation and a headphone jack.

Food

Outside food and drink aren't allowed. If you have medical needs, contact Guest Relations or Accessibility Services beforehand. Gluten-free, vegan and kosher options are available.

MSG's food page lists outlets such as Mike's Hot Honey, TAO Sushi, Paulie Gee's Pizza, Carnegie Deli, Mighty Quinn's Barbeque, Veselka, Shah's Halal and Simply Vegan, across the 100-level Kalshi Concourse and the 200-level Pepsi Concourse. MSG says most open for Knicks and Rangers games; for other events, call Guest Relations to check, and stands can close without warning.

The MSG app lets you order food and drinks from your seat. You can also manage your tickets in it.

Drinks and ID

Alcohol is sold at most events, with a limit per person per transaction depending on where you're sitting. You can't bring alcohol in or take any out.

Water, phone charging and other facilities

• Water fountains are near sections 101, 103, 111, 114, 117, 208, 217 and 221.
• Phone charging: chargeFUZE stations at nine spots around the venue rent portable chargers (Lightning, USB-C and Micro USB).
• Wi-Fi: join FreeMSGWIFI and accept the terms in your browser.
• Restrooms: family and all-gender restrooms are spread around the arena.
• Nursing room: next to the Guest Services Office on the Kalshi Concourse (sixth floor), outside section 117. Breast pumps and breast milk are allowed.
• First aid: behind the Guest Services Office outside section 117. There are AEDs throughout the building. The security office number is 212-465-6799.
• Merch: may be on sale at your show. MSG's fan gear stores are at sections 103, 109, 113, 120, 213 and 222.
• Lost something? MSG handles lost property through Boomerang, where you file a claim online. Found items are kept for only 10 days.

Seating and standing

MSG's seating page says the stage set-up and seat layout depend on the event, so check the map for your show. Its interactive seat map includes 360-degree views from the seats.

At concerts, artists can ask for the crowd to be allowed to stand in front of their seats for the whole show. Don't stand on seats or block aisles.

The building also has a separate theatre, and its name has changed over the years. MSG's site currently lists it as Infosys Theater at MSG, while Wikipedia still calls it Hulu Theater. Check the room name on your ticket so you head to the right place.

Accessibility at MSG

Accessibility Services is on 888-609-7599 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or disabledservices@msg.com.

• Accessible seating can be bought through Ticketmaster or through Accessibility Services. If you've already bought tickets and need to move, contact them.
• Accessible entrances: 8 Penn (33rd Street and 8th Avenue) and Chase Square (7th Avenue between 31st and 33rd Streets).
• Access-A-Ride and rideshare drop-off and pick-up: 7th Avenue (southbound), just north of 31st Street. For pick-up after a concert, MSG says acts share their timings 1 to 2 days before the show, so contact Accessibility Services.
• Elevators run in each of the four towers (A, B, C and D) and reach all public areas. MSG recommends tower elevators for anyone with mobility concerns, as escalators can be switched off at any time. Expect waits at peak times.
• Wheelchair transport to your seat is free on request. Staff won't stay with you, and you can't keep the transport wheelchair at your seat. MSG will store wheelchairs, canes and walkers and bring them back to your seat after the show.
• Seats with movable armrests, and larger chairs without armrests, need to be requested at least 48 hours ahead.
• Sensory support: MSG is KultureCity Sensory Inclusive Certified. Free sensory bags with noise-cancelling headphones and fidget tools are available from Guest Services outside section 117 if you leave an ID. The Aaron & Samantha Judge Sensory Room is on the 9th-floor suite level, subject to availability, with an escort.
• Hearing: free assistive listening devices (FM) and neck loops are available from Guest Services (outside section 117) or the Guest Experience Podium outside section 206. You'll need to leave a driver's licence or credit card. Audio induction loops are at box office windows 4 and 14 and at the Guest Services Office.
• Sign language interpreting or closed captioning for concerts must be requested at least two weeks before the show.
• Lights and effects: many acts use pyrotechnics, smoke or flashing lights; Accessibility Services can tell you about your show.

Step-free route from the Penn Station platforms

From the West End Concourse (tracks 5 to 31), MSG gives two step-free routes:

• to 33rd Street and 8th Avenue: take the Track 17 elevator, then Elevator PW-9, and enter MSG at 8 Penn
• to 31st Street and 8th Avenue: take the Track 5 & 6 elevator, then Elevator PW-3

Before you go

• Check your event page for door times, age limits and whether the show is device free.
• Add your ticket to your phone's wallet, or print it at home if the show is device free.
• Pack a bag no bigger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches, or skip the bag. There's no bag check.
• Bring a card or phone to pay. If you only have cash, use a reverse ATM inside.
• Bring a passport or another ID on MSG's list if you plan to drink.
• Look up your train home on TrainTime or the NJ Transit app before the show.
• Book accessible seating, armrest seating or interpreting early with Accessibility Services.

Upcoming shows at Madison Square Garden