History of Madison Square Garden in Timeline

Madison Square Garden (MSG) is a renowned multi-purpose indoor arena in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, situated above Pennsylvania Station. It's the fourth venue with the same name; the initial two were located on Madison Square, followed by a third on Eighth Avenue and 50th Street.

January 9, 1925: Groundbreaking of Third Madison Square Garden

On January 9, 1925, groundbreaking took place for the third Madison Square Garden.

1925: Demolition of Madison Square Garden II

In 1925, the New York Life Insurance Company decided to tear down Madison Square Garden II to make way for a new headquarters building.

1925: Third Madison Square Garden

In 1925, the third Madison Square Garden was built further uptown at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street.

February 1959: Graham-Paige Purchased Interest

In February 1959, automobile manufacturer Graham-Paige purchased a 40% interest in Madison Square Garden for $4 million and later gained control.

November 1960: Graham-Paige President Purchased Rights to Build at Penn Station

In November 1960, Graham-Paige president Irving Mitchell Felt purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad the rights to build at Penn Station, which led to the demolition of the above-ground portions of the original Pennsylvania Station to build the new facility.

1964: 1964 building targeted for demolition

In April 1986, Gulf and Western announced that they would build a new Madison Square Garden and the plan included the demolition of the 1964 building

February 11, 1968: Opening of Madison Square Garden Center

On February 11, 1968, Madison Square Garden Center opened, becoming the oldest major sporting facility in the New York metropolitan area.

1968: Demolition of Third Madison Square Garden Commenced

Demolition of the third Madison Square Garden began in 1968, following the opening of the current Garden.

1968: Third Madison Square Garden Closed

In 1968, the Third Madison Square Garden closed.

1969: Demolition of Third Madison Square Garden Completed

In early 1969, demolition of the third Madison Square Garden was completed.

1972: Felt Proposed Moving Knicks and Rangers

In 1972, Irving Mitchell Felt proposed moving the New York Knicks and New York Rangers to the Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.

1977: Elton John inducted into MSG Hall of Fame

In 1977, Elton John became the first non-sports figure to be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame due to a record attendance of 140,000 in June of that year.

1977: Sale to Gulf and Western Industries

In 1977, Madison Square Garden was sold to Gulf and Western Industries.

1980: Tax Bill Challenged

In 1980, Madison Square Garden challenged its tax bill, contributing to the controversy between the Garden and New York City over real estate taxes.

1984: The Rolling Stones inducted into MSG Hall of Fame

In 1984, the Rolling Stones were inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame, along with nine sports figures, for their achievement of performing "13 sell-out concerts" at the venue.

1984: Joe Louis Plaza Designation

In 1984, the four streets immediately surrounding Madison Square Garden were designated as Joe Louis Plaza, in honor of boxer Joe Louis.

April 1986: Announcement of New Madison Square Garden Plan

In April 1986, Gulf and Western announced that they would build a new Madison Square Garden a few blocks away on the site of present-day Hudson Yards, but the plan was later scrapped in favor of a renovation.

1991: Renovation of Madison Square Garden

In 1991, Madison Square Garden underwent a $200 million renovation, which included the addition of 89 suites, larger bathrooms, expanded menus, a new ventilation system, and refurbished locker rooms.

1991: Madison Square Garden Renovation

In 1991, Madison Square Garden underwent one of its major renovations.

1992: Inaugural MSG Walk of Fame ceremony

In 1992, the walkway leading to the arena of Madison Square Garden was designated as the "Walk of Fame" and twenty-five athletes were inducted at its inaugural ceremony. Elton John was the first entertainer to be inducted into the MSG Walk of Fame in 1992.

1997: New York Liberty at MSG

In 1997, Madison Square Garden became the home of the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

1998: The Rolling Stones inducted into MSG Walk of Fame

In 1998, the Rolling Stones were inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame.

1999: Jeopardy! Teen Tournament and Celebrity Jeopardy! competitions held at The Theater

In the fall of 1999, the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament as well as Celebrity Jeopardy! competitions were held at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Also in 1999, Wheel of Fortune taped at the theater.

2000: Consideration of a New Arena

In 2000, James Dolan, the current owner of MSG, mentioned that a new arena was being considered as the current building was showing its age.

2001: NBA draft hosted at The Theater at MSG

From 2001, The Theater at Madison Square Garden hosted the NBA draft.

2004: Cablevision Battled with the City of New York

In 2004, Cablevision battled with the City of New York over the proposed West Side arena.

2004: Survivor: All-Stars finale at The Theater

In 2004, The Theater at Madison Square Garden was the venue of the Survivor: All-Stars finale.

2005: Cablevision Battled with the City of New York

In 2005, Cablevision battled with the City of New York over the proposed West Side arena, which was ultimately canceled. Plans were announced to raze the Garden and build a new one at the James Farley Post Office site.

2005: NFL draft moved from The Theater at MSG

In 2005, the NFL draft moved from The Theater at Madison Square Garden to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center after MSG management opposed a new arena for the New York Jets.

2009: Renovation Delayed

In 2009, the $1 billion second renovation of Madison Square Garden was planned but delayed until after the 2010-11 seasons.

2010: Last NBA draft hosted at The Theater at MSG

In 2010, The Theater at Madison Square Garden hosted its last NBA draft.

2010: Renovation Delayed

In 2010, the $1 billion second renovation of Madison Square Garden was planned but delayed until after the 2010-11 seasons.

2011: Construction of Lower Bowl Completed

In 2011, Phase 1, the construction of the lower bowl of Madison Square Garden, was completed.

2011: Renovation Phase One Completed

In 2011, Phase one of the renovation to modernize Madison Square Garden was completed in time for the Rangers and Knicks' seasons.

2012: Construction of Upper Bowl Completed

In 2012, the new upper bowl construction, with the West Balcony on the tenth floor, was completed.

February 15, 2013: Community Board Vote on Operating Permit

On February 15, 2013, Manhattan Community Board 5 voted against granting a renewal to Madison Square Garden's operating permit in perpetuity, proposing a 10-year limit instead.

May 2013: Architecture Firms Submitted Proposals

In May 2013, four architecture firms submitted proposals for a new Penn Station, including potential relocation sites for Madison Square Garden.

June 2013: City Council Committee Voted on Permit

In June 2013, the New York City Council Committee on Land Use voted to give Madison Square Garden a ten-year permit.

2013: Madison Square Garden Renovation

In 2013, Madison Square Garden underwent one of its major renovations.

2013: Construction of the Upper Bowl Completed

In 2013, Phase 2, the construction of the upper bowl along with the Madison Suites and the Madison Club, was completed for the 2012-13 NHL and NBA seasons.

2013: Wheel of Fortune taped at The Theater

In 2013, Wheel of Fortune taped at The Theater at Madison Square Garden for the second time.

2013: Liberty Played at Prudential Center

In 2013, the New York Liberty played their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, during Madison Square Garden's renovation.

October 2014: Morgan Facility Selected as Ideal Area

In October 2014, the Morgan facility was selected as the ideal area for Madison Square Garden to be moved, following the 2014 MAS Summit in New York City.

2015: The Grateful Dead inducted into MSG Walk of Fame

In 2015, the Grateful Dead were inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame, along with at least three sports-related figures.

January 2016: Cuomo Announced Penn Station Redevelopment Plan

In January 2016, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced a redevelopment plan for Penn Station that would involve the removal of The Theater at Madison Square Garden.

2016: Second-busiest Music Arena

As of 2016, Madison Square Garden was the second-busiest music arena in the world in terms of ticket sales.

2017: New York Liberty Leaving MSG

In 2017, the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) stopped calling Madison Square Garden their home.

2018: Rangers Designated Visiting Team

In 2018, the New York Rangers played a neutral-site game designated as the visiting team, even though it was in New York City, to comply with the condition for maintaining tax-free status for Madison Square Garden.