10 Fascinating Fun Facts About Madison Square Garden You Never Knew!
1. MSG's Four Moves
Behold the mighty skyscraper of basketball lore, where the ghosts of dribbling past hover over a bustling train station: Madison Square Garden, the oldest major sporting facility in the New York area and the NBA's most ancient arena, has moved house thrice since its birth in 1879, and now sits triumphantly atop Pennsylvania Station between Seventh and Eighth Avenues from 31st to 33rd Streets, while its past forms lay claim over Madison Square, East 26th Street and Madison Avenue, and way uptown at Eighth Avenue and 50th Street.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
2. Billy Joel's Record Performances
Who would've guessed that chasing a Piano Man could lead to historic heights? That's right, folks, we're talkin' about a New York state of mind: Billy Joel holds the record for the most consecutive performances by any artist at Madison Square Garden, totaling 12 mind-blowing shows in 2006. This legendary achievement even earned him a banner with "Joel - 12" raised to The Garden rafters, making Billy the first entertainer in the venue's history to make it to the musical major leagues.
Source => msgentertainment.com
Did you know Fenway Park's iconic blue wooden seats from 1946 to 2010 were refurbished and can now be owned by fans? Dive into this piece of nostalgia with a special "thank you" from the Red Sox! ⚾🪑
=> Fun Facts about Fenway-Park
3. Oldest NYC Sports Facility
If Madison Square Garden were a New York grandma, it would be wearing a hat that says "I survived four moves and 23,000 people in one room": Originally opened in 1879, Madison Square Garden is the oldest active major sporting facility in NYC, home to legendary sports teams like the New York Rangers and Knicks, and the stage for iconic events like Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday" serenade to JFK.
Source => blogs.shu.edu
4. MSG's Unique Steel Roof
When architects finally "cut the cord" in 1968, they proudly unveiled a whopper of a wire work: Madison Square Garden's first-of-its-kind permanent steel cable suspension roof! The monster of a dome, spanning 404 feet, not only gives Big Apple dwellers column-free space for their favorite sporting events, concerts, and monster truck rallies, but also holds the title as the largest of its kind in the U.S. and potentially the world. Other than being a jaw-dropper, it's got some eyebrow-raising stats too: the roof system is made up of 48 beefy bundles of zinc-coated steel cables, each a whopping 1¾ in diameter, housing a secondary cooling tower and other fancy tech two storeys above. No need for stilts, folks – New Yorkers can now rejoice in acres of unobstructed viewing for their entertainment needs!
Source => newsteelconstruction.com
5. Westminster Dog Show Moves
Who let the dogs out of Madison Square Garden? Mother Nature, that's who! In a "ruff" turn of events, the fur-ocious pandemic sent every doggone member of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show packing their chew toys and heading to an unlikely venue for their annual sniff and strut competition: the US Tennis Association's Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will host the dog show starting May 2023, elbowing next to the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. Surprisingly, this pawsitively delightful canine showdown has been wagging tails since 1877, making it the second oldest sporting event in U.S. history.
Source => abc7ny.com
6. High-Wire Bicycle Act
The high-wire act of a lifetime: featuring a brave fireman, his trusty 1800s High Wheel bicycle, and a New York sports sanctuary! The serious reveal: Blinc Candlin, a fireman from Hudson, New York, bravely took on high-wire performances with his antique High Wheel bicycle at Madison Square Garden III (aka "The House That Tex Built") for over two decades, starting in the 1910s, entertaining fans of the New York Rangers, the New York Knicks, boxing enthusiasts, and circusgoers alike.
Source => basketball.fandom.com
7. MSG's Musical Kings
Even the Grateful Dead couldn't rise above this Piano Man's mighty chords: Billy Joel reigns supreme as the king of Madison Square Garden with over 100 performances, followed by Elton John, while the Grateful Dead holds the fourth position behind Phish. In recognition of their undead-ication to the venue, the band was inducted into the Madison Square Garden Walk of Fame in 2015.
Source => liveforlivemusic.com
8. MSG as a Transportation Hub
If New York City's transportation system had a party, Madison Square Garden would be the life of it: Serving as a multi-level transportation hub, MSG not only offers sports and entertainment but also caters to over 600,000 passengers daily, boasting three railroads and six subway lines converging in the bustling underground labyrinth known as Penn Station.
Source => newyorker.com
9. Marvel Comics at MSG
When Spider-Man and Venom weren't busy rocking out to heavy metal or Hulk turned Madison Square Garden into a "Marvel"ous prison break: Madison Square Garden has been featured in the Marvel comic universe, hosting a heavy metal concert where Carnage tried to execute J. Jonah Jameson before Spider-Man and Venom stepped in, and also transforming into a gulag holding Iron Man and Mister Fantastic during the "World War Hulk" event.
Source => marvel.fandom.com
10. Fitbit Challenge Ancestor
Before Fitbits were all the rage and distance walking was cool: Madison Square Garden, initially known as the Grand Central Palace, hosted a jaw-dropping, archaic version of a 6-day Fitbit challenge in 1879. Competitors put one foot in front of the other for six whole days, seeking the prestigious Astley Belt as well as some cash. The walking fiesta saw Charles Rowell of England stride his way to victory, covering a mind-boggling 530 miles and pocketing a staggering $28,000. Talk about a manic marathon, huh?
Source => nytimes.com
