History of Madison Square Garden in Timeline
Madison Square Garden (MSG), also known as "The Garden," is a renowned multi-purpose indoor arena in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Situated atop Pennsylvania Station, it occupies a prime location between Seventh and Eighth avenues, spanning from 31st to 33rd streets. Notably, this iconic venue represents the fourth iteration of "Madison Square Garden." The original two structures, established in 1879 and 1890, graced Madison Square on East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, while the third (built in 1925) was situated further uptown at the intersection of Eighth Avenue and 50th Street.
January 9, 1925: Construction Begins on the Third Madison Square Garden
On January 9, 1925, construction began on the third incarnation of Madison Square Garden. Boxing promoter Tex Rickard led the project, with noted theater architect Thomas W. Lamb designing the building.
1925: Madison Square Garden II Closes
The second Madison Square Garden, after failing to achieve success, closed in 1925. The New York Life Insurance Company, who held the mortgage, decided to demolish the building and construct their headquarters there instead.
February 1959: Graham-Paige Invests in Madison Square Garden
Former automobile manufacturer Graham-Paige acquired a 40% stake in Madison Square Garden for $4 million in February 1959 and would later gain control of the venue.
November 1960: Graham-Paige Secures Rights for New Garden at Penn Station
Irving Mitchell Felt, president of Graham-Paige, secured rights from the Pennsylvania Railroad to build a new arena at Penn Station in November 1960. This decision led to the demolition of the original Pennsylvania Station's above-ground sections to facilitate the construction of the new Madison Square Garden.
1964: Gulf and Western Proposes New Madison Square Garden
Gulf and Western, the then-owners of Madison Square Garden, unveiled plans in April 1986 to construct a new arena a few blocks away at the site of present-day Hudson Yards. This plan involved demolishing the 1964 structure and replacing it with an office tower development.
February 11, 1968: Current Madison Square Garden Opens
The current Madison Square Garden, originally called Madison Square Garden Center, opened on February 11, 1968, marking a significant moment in New York City's sporting and entertainment history.
1968: Third Madison Square Garden Demolished
Demolition of the third Madison Square Garden began in 1968 following the current Garden's opening.
1969: Demolition of Third Madison Square Garden Completed
Demolition of the third Madison Square Garden concluded in early 1969, and One Worldwide Plaza now stands on the site.
1970
The 1970s saw the rise to fame of bands like Kiss and artists such as Billy Joel, who frequently performed at Madison Square Garden.
1972: Elvis Presley Concerts
Elvis Presley performed four sold-out shows in 1972 at Madison Square Garden, marking his first and last performances in New York City.
1972: Irving Mitchell Felt Proposes Move to Meadowlands Sports Complex
Irving Mitchell Felt, a key figure in Madison Square Garden's history, put forward a proposal in 1972 to relocate the New York Knicks and Rangers to the then-unfinished Meadowlands Sports Complex in New Jersey.
1972: Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals
Madison Square Garden hosted both the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals in the same year in 1972.
1972: Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in 1972.
July 1973: Led Zeppelin Concert
Led Zeppelin's three-night stand in July 1973 at Madison Square Garden was recorded and released as both a film and album titled "The Song Remains The Same".
1974: John Lennon's Final Concert Appearance
John Lennon made his final concert appearance during an Elton John concert on Thanksgiving Night in 1974 at Madison Square Garden before his tragic death in 1980.
1974: The Who Concert
The Who headlined a four-night stand at Madison Square Garden in 1974.
1976: Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention was held at Madison Square Garden in 1976.
1977: Elton John's Induction into the MSG Hall of Fame
Elton John became the first non-athlete to be inducted into the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame in 1977, in recognition of his record-breaking attendance of 140,000 in June of that year.
1977: Gold Ticket Awards Inaugurated
Madison Square Garden announced the creation of the Gold Ticket Award in 1977 to recognize performers who had sold over 100,000 tickets to the venue, requiring a minimum of five sold-out shows.
1977: Gulf and Western Industries Acquires Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden changed ownership in 1977, with Gulf and Western Industries becoming the new proprietors of the iconic arena.
1977: Parliament-Funkadelic Concerts
Parliament-Funkadelic headlined numerous sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden in 1977.
December 14, 1978: Billy Joel Concert
Billy Joel, a New York City native, played his first concert at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 1978. He followed this performance with three more that month.
January 7, 1979: Grateful Dead Concert
The Grateful Dead played their first concert at Madison Square Garden on January 7, 1979.
1979: The Who Concert
The Who headlined a five-night stand at Madison Square Garden in 1979.
1980
John Lennon, who made his last concert appearance at Madison Square Garden in 1974, was murdered in 1980.
1980: Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention was held at Madison Square Garden in 1980.
1980: Madison Square Garden Challenges Tax Bill
The long-standing dispute between Madison Square Garden and New York City over real estate taxes resurfaced in 1980 when the Garden contested its tax bill.
1981: Graeme Edge Receives Gold Ticket Award
Graeme Edge received a Gold Ticket Award as a member of The Moody Blues in 1981.
1981: Platinum Ticket Award to the Rolling Stones
In 1981, the Rolling Stones were awarded the Platinum Ticket Award for selling over 250,000 tickets to their shows at Madison Square Garden.
1982: Platinum Ticket Award to Elton John
Elton John received the Platinum Ticket Award in 1982 for selling over 250,000 tickets to his concerts at Madison Square Garden.
1983: New York Cosmos at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden hosted half of the New York Cosmos' home games during the 1983-84 NASL Indoor season.
1984: Platinum Ticket Awards to Yes and Billy Joel
Both Yes and Billy Joel were awarded the Platinum Ticket Award in 1984, recognizing their achievement of selling over 250,000 tickets to their respective shows at Madison Square Garden.
1984: Streets Around Garden Named Joe Louis Plaza
In recognition of legendary boxer Joe Louis's remarkable achievements, including eight successful title defenses at the previous Madison Square Garden, the four streets encircling the current arena were designated as Joe Louis Plaza in 1984.
1984: The Rolling Stones' Induction into the MSG Hall of Fame
The Rolling Stones joined the Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame in 1984, honored for their achievement of 13 sold-out concerts at the venue. They were inducted alongside nine sports icons, increasing the hall's membership to 107.
April 1986: Gulf and Western Proposes New Madison Square Garden
Gulf and Western, the then-owners of Madison Square Garden, unveiled plans in April 1986 to construct a new arena a few blocks away at the site of present-day Hudson Yards.
1987: Platinum Ticket Award to the Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead were granted the Platinum Ticket Award in 1987, marking their sales exceeding 250,000 tickets for their performances at Madison Square Garden.
1988: Michael Jackson's Bad World Tour
Michael Jackson brought his Bad World Tour to Madison Square Garden in 1988.
1988: SummerSlam
The World Wrestling Federation hosted SummerSlam at Madison Square Garden in 1988.
September 1991: Grateful Dead Concert
The Grateful Dead's longest run of concerts at Madison Square Garden took place in September 1991.
1991: Madison Square Garden Completes Renovation
Madison Square Garden completed a major renovation in 1991, costing $200 million. The project, designed by Ellerbe Becket, drew criticism for its perceived emphasis on corporatization.
1991: First Major Renovation of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden underwent a significant renovation costing $200 million in 1991, designed by Ellerbe Becket. The project involved adding 89 suites, upgrading facilities, and modernizing the arena.
1991: SummerSlam
The World Wrestling Federation hosted SummerSlam at Madison Square Garden in 1991.
1992: Establishment of the MSG Walk of Fame and Elton John's Induction
The "Walk of Fame" at Madison Square Garden was established in 1992, honoring athletes, artists, announcers, and coaches for their remarkable accomplishments at the venue. The inaugural ceremony saw the induction of 25 athletes and Elton John, the first entertainer to receive this honor.
1992: Democratic National Convention
The Democratic National Convention was held at Madison Square Garden in 1992.
October 19, 1994: Grateful Dead Concert
The Grateful Dead played their last concert at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 1994.
December 30, 1994: Phish Concert
Phish played their first concert at Madison Square Garden on December 30, 1994, and have regularly played multi-night runs at the venue since, usually around New Year's Eve.
1994: Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals
Madison Square Garden hosted both the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals in the same year in 1994.
1994
Many performers received Gold Ticket Awards from their inauguration in 1977 to 1994.
1996: The Who Concert
The Who headlined a six-night stand at Madison Square Garden in 1996.
1996: Survivor Series
The World Wrestling Federation hosted Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden in 1996.
1997: Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in 1997.
1997: New York Liberty Begin Playing at Madison Square Garden
The New York Liberty, a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team, began playing their home games at Madison Square Garden in 1997, marking the start of their tenure at the iconic venue.
1998: The Rolling Stones' Induction into the MSG Walk of Fame
The Rolling Stones were inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame in 1998, further solidifying their legacy at the iconic venue.
1998: SummerSlam
The World Wrestling Federation hosted SummerSlam at Madison Square Garden in 1998.
1999: Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune
The Jeopardy! Teen Tournament, several installments of Celebrity Jeopardy!, and several episodes of Wheel of Fortune were filmed at Madison Square Garden in 1999.
1999: Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune at Madison Square Garden
The fall 1999 Jeopardy! Teen Tournament and Celebrity Jeopardy! competitions were both held at Madison Square Garden's Theater. That same year, the theater hosted Wheel of Fortune for the first time, marking the start of its association with the popular game show.
2000: James Dolan Considers New Arena
In 2000, James Dolan, the current owner of Madison Square Garden, acknowledged that the arena's age was becoming apparent and that the possibility of building a new one was under consideration.
2000: The Who Concert
The Who headlined a four-night stand at Madison Square Garden in 2000.
2000: Royal Rumble
The World Wrestling Federation hosted Royal Rumble at Madison Square Garden in 2000.
2001: NBA Draft Begins at Madison Square Garden
From 2001 onwards, Madison Square Garden's Theater became the new home for the NBA Draft, hosting the event for a decade.
2001: The Concert for New York City
The Who performed at The Concert for New York City, held at Madison Square Garden, in 2001.
2002: The Who Concert
The Who headlined a four-night stand at Madison Square Garden in 2002.
2002: Survivor Series
The World Wrestling Federation hosted Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden in 2002.
2003: Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in 2003.
2004: Cablevision and New York City Clash Over West Side Arena Proposal
A conflict arose in 2004 between Cablevision, the then-owners of Madison Square Garden, and the City of New York regarding the proposed West Side arena.
2004: Platinum Ticket Award to Madonna
In 2004, Madonna was honored with the Platinum Ticket Award at Madison Square Garden, celebrating her sales of over 250,000 tickets to her concerts.
2004: Republican National Convention at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden hosted the 2004 Republican National Convention, showcasing its ability to accommodate large-scale events beyond sports and entertainment.
2004: Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention was held at Madison Square Garden in 2004.
2004: Survivor: All-Stars Finale at Madison Square Garden
The thrilling finale of Survivor: All-Stars took place at Madison Square Garden's Theater in 2004, showcasing the venue's versatility in hosting a wide range of events, from game shows to reality TV competitions.
2005: Cablevision and New York City Clash Over West Side Arena Proposal
A conflict arose in 2005 between Cablevision, the then-owners of Madison Square Garden, and the City of New York regarding the proposed West Side arena. The project was eventually canceled.
2005: NFL Draft Moves From Madison Square Garden
After hosting the NFL Draft for many years, Madison Square Garden saw its run end in 2005 when the event moved to the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. This shift came amidst MSG management's opposition to a new arena proposed for the New York Jets.
2006: Latin Grammy Awards
The Latin Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in 2006.
September 19, 2007: Retirement of Madison Square Garden's Historic Boxing Ring
The original 18+1/2 ft × 18+1/2 ft boxing ring, a fixture in Madison Square Garden for 82 years, was officially retired on September 19, 2007. It was donated to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. A new 20 ft × 20 ft ring replaced it on October 6, 2007.
2008: Royal Rumble
The World Wrestling Federation hosted Royal Rumble at Madison Square Garden in 2008.
2008: The Police Concert
The band The Police played the final show of their reunion tour at Madison Square Garden in 2008.
2009: Elton John's 60th Birthday Concert
Elton John, who once held the record for the most appearances at Madison Square Garden with 64 shows, chose the venue for his 60th birthday concert in 2009. A DVD recording of the performance was later released as "Elton 60—Live at Madison Square Garden".
2009: Start of Madison Square Garden Renovation Planning
Planning for the second renovation of Madison Square Garden, costing $1 billion, began in 2009. The renovation was planned to happen over three off-seasons.
2010: NBA Draft Concludes at Madison Square Garden
After a successful ten-year stint, 2010 marked the final year that Madison Square Garden hosted the NBA Draft.
2010: Delay of Madison Square Garden Renovation
The start of the renovation, initially planned for after the 2009-2010 hockey/basketball seasons, was delayed until after the 2010-2011 seasons.
2011: Madison Square Garden Renovation Phase One Completed
Madison Square Garden completed the first phase of a renovation and modernization project in time for the New York Knicks and Rangers' 2011–12 seasons.
2011: Duke vs. Michigan State
Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team, surpassed Bob Knight as the coach with the most wins in NCAA Division I men's basketball history when Duke defeated Michigan State at Madison Square Garden in 2011.
2011: Survivor Series
The World Wrestling Federation hosted Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden in 2011.
2011: Completion of Phase 1 of Renovation
The first phase of Madison Square Garden's renovation, focusing on the lower bowl, was finished in 2011. The extended off-season allowed for some early work to begin on the upper bowl.
2012: Completion of Phase 2 of Renovation
The second phase of the renovation, including the new upper bowl, Madison Suites, and the Madison Club, was completed in 2012, in time for the 2012-2013 NHL and NBA seasons.
February 15, 2013: Community Board Rejects MSG Permit Renewal
Manhattan Community Board 5 voted 36-0 against granting Madison Square Garden a perpetual operating permit. They proposed a 10-year limit instead, aiming to use the land for a new Penn Station. This sparked debate about the arena's location.
May 2013: Architecture Firms Propose New Penn Station Designs
In May 2013, four architecture firms (SHoP Architects, SOM, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture, and Diller Scofidio + Renfro) presented proposals for a new Penn Station. Each proposal included plans for relocating Madison Square Garden, sparking controversy and debate about the arena's future.
June 2013: City Council Committee Approves 10-Year Permit for MSG
The New York City Council Committee on Land Use unanimously voted to grant Madison Square Garden a 10-year operating permit. This decision followed extensive debate about the arena's location and its impact on Penn Station's redevelopment.
2013: New York Liberty Relocates During Renovation
Due to the ongoing renovations at Madison Square Garden, the New York Liberty played their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for the 2013 season.
2013: Wheel of Fortune Returns to Madison Square Garden
In 2013, Wheel of Fortune returned to Madison Square Garden for another round of taping, highlighting the theater's continued appeal as a venue for popular television productions.
2013: Second Major Renovation of Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden completed its second major renovation in 2013. The project, part of a multi-phase modernization plan, aimed to enhance the visitor experience and update the arena's amenities.
2013: Wheel of Fortune
Several episodes of Wheel of Fortune were filmed at Madison Square Garden in 2013.
2013: Completion of Phase 3 of Renovation
The final phase of renovation, which included the new Chase Square lobby, Chase Bridges, and the new scoreboard, was finished in 2013 for the 2013-2014 NHL and NBA seasons.
October 2014: Morgan Facility Identified as Potential New MSG Site
The Morgan Postal Facility was chosen as a possible new location for Madison Square Garden in October 2014 after the MAS Summit in New York City. This decision fueled ongoing discussions about the future of the arena and its relationship to Penn Station.
2015: The Grateful Dead's Induction into the MSG Walk of Fame
In 2015, the Grateful Dead were recognized for their musical contributions with an induction into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame, joining the ranks of other notable figures from sports and entertainment.
January 2016: Governor Cuomo Announces Penn Station Redevelopment Plan
In January 2016, Governor Andrew Cuomo revealed a redevelopment plan for Penn Station. While the plan involved removing The Theater at Madison Square Garden, it intended to leave the main arena structure intact.
2016: Madison Square Garden Ranked Second-Busiest Music Arena Globally
In 2016, Madison Square Garden achieved recognition as the second-busiest music arena globally based on ticket sales, highlighting its prominent role in the entertainment industry.
2017: The Bakers' Dozen
Phish held a 13-night concert series called "The Bakers' Dozen" at Madison Square Garden in the summer of 2017, during which they played 237 unique songs without repeating any.
2017: New York Liberty Relocate from Madison Square Garden
The New York Liberty concluded their time at Madison Square Garden in 2017, ending their 20-season run at the arena.
2018: Rangers Play as Visiting Team in 2018 NHL Winter Classic
Despite the 2018 NHL Winter Classic taking place in New York City, the New York Rangers were designated as the visiting team. This unusual situation arose due to the tax agreement that grants Madison Square Garden tax-free status on the condition that all Rangers and Knicks home games are played at the venue.
2018: Grammy Awards
The Grammy Awards were held at Madison Square Garden in 2018.
April 6, 2019: G1 Supercard
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Ring of Honor (ROH) hosted their G1 Supercard supershow at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2019.
March 10, 2020: The Brothers
"The Brothers," a 50th-anniversary celebration of The Allman Brothers Band, took place at Madison Square Garden on March 10, 2020. The concert featured the five surviving members of the final Allman Brothers lineup and Chuck Leavell. This concert was the last one held at the venue before its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
May 2020: NJPW Wrestle Dynasty postponement announced
In May 2020, NJPW announced the postponement of the NJPW Wrestle Dynasty show that was scheduled for August 22, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 22, 2020: NJPW Wrestle Dynasty (postponed)
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) planned to return to Madison Square Garden on August 22, 2020 for NJPW Wrestle Dynasty, but the event was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Knicks and Rangers Play Elsewhere During Pandemic
Due to the unprecedented circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, both the New York Knicks and Rangers played some home games at different venues during the 2020 NBA Bubble and 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, respectively.
2020: Madison Square Garden Company Splits
The Madison Square Garden Company split into two separate entities in 2020. Madison Square Garden Entertainment now manages the arena and non-sports assets, while Madison Square Garden Sports oversees the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. James Dolan and his family retain control over both entities.
2020: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The group and Best in Show competitions of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show were held at Madison Square Garden every February from 1877 to 2020, making it the venue's longest continuous tenant. However, this streak was broken in 2021 when the event was held outdoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
June 20, 2021: Foo Fighters Concert
The Foo Fighters headlined the first concert at Madison Square Garden after its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The show, held on June 20, 2021, required all attendees to be vaccinated and marked the first 100 percent capacity concert in a New York arena since the pandemic began.
December 14, 2021: Stephen Curry Breaks NBA's All-Time Three-Point Scoring Record
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors broke the NBA's all-time three-point scoring record at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2021, when he hit his 2,977th career three-pointer during a game against the New York Knicks.
2021: NJPW Wrestle Dynasty (rescheduled)
NJPW Wrestle Dynasty, originally planned for August 22, 2020, was rescheduled to take place in 2021.
2021: Expansion of Penn Station
Penn Station expanded with the opening of the Moynihan Train Hall at the James Farley Post Office in 2021. This further fueled discussions about the future of Madison Square Garden and its impact on potential Penn Station renovations.
2021: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (moved outdoors)
The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held outdoors for the first time in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, breaking its long-standing tradition of taking place at Madison Square Garden.
2022: National Invitation Tournament Finals Relocates
The National Invitation Tournament (NIT) finals, hosted at Madison Square Garden since its inception, moved to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn in 2022.
February 2023
As of February 2023, Billy Joel holds the record for the most appearances at Madison Square Garden with 134 shows.
June 2023: MTA Report Declares MSG Incompatible with Penn Station
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), along with Amtrak and NJ Transit, released a report in June 2023 stating that Madison Square Garden is no longer compatible with Penn Station. The report argued that the arena's presence hinders passenger flow and limits potential station improvements.
September 14, 2023: City Council Grants MSG a Five-Year Operating Permit
The New York City Council voted 48-0 to renew Madison Square Garden's operating permit, but only for five years, the shortest term ever granted to the venue. This decision reflects the ongoing debate over the arena's future and its impact on Penn Station's redevelopment.
2023: Kiss Concerts
The band Kiss played their final two shows at Madison Square Garden on December 1st and 2nd, 2023, marking the 50th anniversary of their formation.
January 2024
As of January 2024, Phish has performed 83 times at Madison Square Garden.
