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Madison Square Garden Concert Guide 2026 – Everything You Need to Know
- Agne
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Madison Square Garden, also known simply as the Garden or by its initials MSG, proudly calls itself “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” And honestly? After seeing it with my own eyes during the Maroon 5 concert last year… I get it. As a professional concert enthusiast, this venue had been on my bucket list for years. And finally experiencing it in person felt surreal.
So based on my visit (plus some extra research), I’ve put together this practical, real-life Madison Square Garden Concert Guide 2026 to help you plan your trip and avoid surprises. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular, here’s everything you need to know for a smooth concert experience.
Quick Navigation - Madison Square Garden Concert Guide 2026
Why Is Madison Square Garden So Famous?
Opened in 1968, MSG sits right in the heart of Manhattan, between 7th and 8th Avenue above Penn Station. It holds around 22,000 fans for concerts and has hosted some of the biggest moments in sports and music history.
Most recently, Harry Styles announced a 30-show run at Madison Square Garden, marking a major milestone for the iconic New York City venue.
How to Get to Madison Square Garden?
As I mentioned, the venue is very centrally located at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY - and one of the best things about MSG? It’s incredibly easy to reach.
It’s directly attached to Penn Station, which makes public transportation the most convenient option (and honestly, the one I’d recommend).
Subway & Train Options:
1 / 2 / 3 / A / C / E → 34th Street–Penn Station
B / D / F / M / N / Q / R → 34th Street–Herald Square
No matter where you're staying in Manhattan, getting there is straightforward.
If you're driving, there are plenty of nearby parking garages. Just keep in mind that prices increase the closer you are to the arena. Parking apps can definitely help you compare rates and avoid overpaying.
Where Do You Enter?
The main entrance is on 7th Avenue, but your digital ticket will tell you exactly which entrance to use based on your seat location.
Definitely follow that recommendation - it makes the entry process much smoother. There’s plenty of signage around the venue, and staff are everywhere to guide you if needed.
What to Pack for Madison Square Garden – Bag Policy 2026
The main tip is the same as always: arrive early and travel light. At MSG, you can bring any bag as long as it fits comfortably under your seat. Anything larger than 22” x 14” x 9” won’t be allowed inside, and there’s no coat or bag check available.
When it comes to electronics, you’re fine bringing your phone, tablet, or even a small laptop, as long as it fits inside your approved bag. Professional cameras (including those with zoom or telephoto lenses) are not permitted, but small non-professional cameras are generally okay.
Essential packing checklist: phone, power bank, napkins or wet wipes. If you want a full breakdown of everything I pack for concerts, you can check out my complete guide: What to Pack for a Concert – The Complete Checklist.
Can You Take a Water Bottle into MSG?
Yes! Clear, soft-plastic empty bottles are allowed, and there are water fountains throughout the venue where you can refill them.
Food & Drinks at MSG
When we visited MSG, we actually skipped venue food and grabbed proper New York pizza beforehand - which I highly recommend. It saves money and honestly just feels like part of the whole NYC concert experience. (Quick shoutout to Bravo Pizza for having plenty of super tasty veggie slice options.)
Food and drinks inside the arena are definitely on the expensive side - for example, beer is around $20 including tax. That said, if you decide to eat inside, there are plenty of options available, from pizza to sushi and specialty snacks throughout the venue. You can check the full lineup on the official MSG website under Food & Drink.
How Do You Pay at Madison Square Garden?
Madison Square Garden is a cashless venue. They only accept credit or debit cards, as well as mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Merch at Madison Square Garden
Yes - you can absolutely buy merch inside.
My personal tip? Don’t stop at the first stand you see when you enter. At the Maroon 5 concert, the first stand near the entrance didn’t have my size. But once I got closer to our section, there was another stand with much more stock and size options. So if your size seems sold out, walk a little further before giving up - there’s a good chance another stand will have it.
You can also visit the official MSG Store in Chase Square even without an event ticket, which is great if you just want venue merch.
Free WiFi
MSG offers complimentary WiFi during events. Just connect to “FREEMSGWIFI” on your device and accept the terms and conditions.
Where to Stay for an MSG Concert?
Since MSG is located in Midtown Manhattan, anything within walking distance is ideal. Staying nearby makes the whole experience smoother - especially after the show when thousands of people are heading to the subway at the same time.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn Manhattan – 35th Street–Empire State Building. It was about a 5-minute walk to MSG, which made everything incredibly easy.
(Not an ad - just genuinely a very convenient option)
My Experience at Madison Square Garden
The central location, plus our nearby hotel, made everything smooth from start to finish (and since I was the one planning the trip and choosing the accommodation… this was expected, haha).
Security was slightly more attentive, and you do need to pass through a metal detector, but everything moved efficiently. The process felt organized, and there are plenty of staff inside the arena helping you find your section and seats, which makes navigating such a large venue much easier.
Since the arena opened in 1968, you can tell the design isn’t as modern compared to some newer venues. But with a capacity of around 22,000 for concerts, it feels massive inside. The seats were comfortable, the sound quality was good, and the crowd was amazing. Overall? It passed my inspection as a concert enthusiast.
If you want the full story, you can read my detailed Maroon 5 concert review.
Who’s Playing at Madison Square Garden in 2026?
If you're planning a concert trip to Madison Square Garden in 2026, here are some of the major acts scheduled to perform:
Lady Gaga – The MAYHEM Ball – 19th, 20th March & 13th April 2026
Cardi B – Little Miss Drama Tour – 25th & 26th March 2026
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream Tour – 21st & 22nd April 2026
Charlie Puth – Whatever’s Clever! World Tour – 29th May 2026
5 Seconds of Summer – EVERYONE’S A STAR! World Tour – 13th & 14th June 2026
ROSALÍA – LUX TOUR 2026 – 16th & 17th June 2026
Louis Tomlinson – How Did We Get Here? World Tour – 8th July 2026
Bon Jovi – Forever Tour – 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st, 23rd & 26th July 2026
Meghan Trainor – The Get In Girl Tour – 10th July 2026
Alex Warren – Little Orphan Alex Live – 15th July 2026
Olivia Dean - The Art Of Loving Live - 14th, 15th, 17th & 18th July 2026
Hilary Duff – the lucky me tour – 5th & 6th August 2026
Harry Styles – Together, Together – 30 dates across August, September & October 2026
Doja Cat – Tour Ma Vie World Tour – 1st December 2026
👉 Check the full and updated event list for the Madison Square Garden on the official Ticketmaster US website, as new shows are added regularly and dates can change.
Useful Links
Final Thoughts
Over the years, Madison Square Garden has truly earned its status as a world-class venue. Visiting it was an experience that genuinely stayed with me.
I hope this Madison Square Garden concert guide helps you have an amazing time — and as for me… I can’t wait to be back at this iconic venue.
For more concert tips and adventures, check out my Instagram @concerts.enthusiast and TikTok @concerts.enthusiast