How Taylor Swift & More Stars Score Seats for Knicks’ Celebrity Row

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You won’t find their names on the depth chart. 

But, as Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Karl Anthony Towns and Co. tipped off against the San Antonio Spurs June 10 in Game 4 of the 2026 NBA finals, there was a different sort of starting five filling the famed seats of Madison Square Garden’s so-called celebrity row, where a pair of tickets for Game 3 on June 8 were auctioned off for $1 million.

Among those suiting up: Taylor Swift, Adam Sandler and Michael J. Fox. 

Ever since the New York Knicks started their push for their first NBA championship in over 50 years, Timothée Chalamet has been a regular attendee at games, often with his girlfriend, Kylie Jenner. Veteran fan Spike Lee has supported the team even longer than many of its star players.

But how exactly does one get drafted for a courtside seat at the world’s most famous arena? Turns out, there’s a lot of ways to get in the game. 

A common misunderstanding is that Madison Square Garden has complete control over all tickets for events held there, but that’s not actually the case, according to Joe Favorito, a sports media consultant and former head of communications for the New York Knicks (2001-2008). He recently explained this to ABC News.

Though players are the stars, the NBA, major movie studios, and sponsors also influence who plays. Even devoted fans like Lee and actor Dustin Hoffman purchase season tickets directly – Lee playfully told Stephen A. Smith he was wasting around $10 million on tickets!

According to Favorito, MSG has a limited number of premium tickets they share with celebrities. During the playoffs, stars like Jay-Z, Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Mariska Hargitay, Ben Stiller, and his wife Christine Taylor have been seen sitting together.

But, to stay in the game, stars have to be willing to play ball. 

Guests who use the private entrance to Suite 200 at MSG can enjoy high-end food and drinks, but the hospitality area closes before the event actually begins, requiring everyone to move to their seats. According to David Favorito, this makes the experience feel more like attending a Broadway show than a typical Yankee Stadium game.

And it’s considered rude to exit your seats before the curtain call. 

After Emily Ratajkowski and Irina Shayk left a New York Knicks game early in 2023, her request for tickets to a New York Rangers game was denied. According to a spokesperson for Madison Square Garden, while Ratajkowski wasn’t given free tickets to the Rangers, she is welcome to purchase tickets at any time.

It’s also expected that stars will provide a valuable assist, posing for photos—”Sometimes I don’t even realize who’s sitting behind me until I turn around and photograph them and I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Martha Stewart,'” Getty Images staff photographer Sarah Stier told ABC News—waving to fans on the Jumbotron and supporting the Garden of Dreams charity foundation. 

I’ll never forget when Liam Neeson said this to The New York Times back in 2014. He basically explained that you have to work for what you get, and if him, even with whatever level of fame he has, can help Madison Square Garden, he’s more than happy to dress up and show his support. It really showed his dedication!

Another crucial play is not dunking on the squad’s leadership. 

Actor Ethan Hawke shared on The Bill Simmons Podcast in 2018 that he stopped receiving complimentary tickets to games after publicly criticizing the firing of coach Mike D’Antoni. He explained that he used to get tickets for free, but when he called to order them one time, he was quoted a price of $7,800. When he questioned the charge, he was told it was in response to his appearance on The Jimmy Fallon show.

So perhaps Stiller has a smart game plan. 

Coach Mike Brown shared that his wife, Carolyn, was too hesitant to ask the actor from Dodgeball for a photo. The actor then posted on X (formerly Twitter) offering to pose for pictures with anyone connected to Coach Brown – family, friends, or otherwise – highlighting Brown’s success in leading the team to the Finals during his first season.

We’re guessing she’d get the same assist from the rest of the team’s other dedicated fans. 

Timothée Chalamet is a passionate New York Knicks fan. He explained to 7PM in Brooklyn that his grandmother’s love for the team sparked his own interest. He believes that living in New York naturally leads to supporting the Knicks.

As a huge fan, I’ve been so excited to see Kylie Jenner supporting Timothée Chalamet at the Knicks games! They’ve been dating since 2023, and it’s adorable seeing them together courtside.

As a lifelong Knicks fan, I always knew Ben Stiller was one of us, but his dedication is incredible! He actually said he’d choose a Knicks championship over winning an Oscar – seriously! He shared this on the New Heights podcast in 2025, explaining that even in a totally hypothetical situation, knowing he could choose the Knicks would be enough. It just proves how deeply he feels about the team, and honestly, I couldn’t agree more!

Spike Lee, a dedicated New York Knicks fan for many years, is confident the team will win a championship by the 2025-2026 season. In May 2026, he told the New York Post, “I’m not worried about teams like San Antonio or Oklahoma City. We’re going to win.”

Tracy Morgan’s dedication to the New York Knicks is unwavering. He told Rich Eisen in 2021 that he’s one of the team’s biggest fans, right up there with Spike Lee.

What’s Luv? The way Fat Joe feels about the Knicks.

In fact, hours before the Knicks confirmed their appearance in the finals, the rapper reflected on the decades the team struggled, noting to ESPN, “It’s time. We paid our dues.”

Broadcasting live from New York, it’s Pete Davidson! The former cast member of Saturday Night Live is a frequent face in the audience at basketball games.

Chris Rock is a dedicated Knicks fan and has been seen at numerous games throughout the years.

Larry David isn’t going to curb his enthusiasm for the Knicks.

His fellow actor, JB Smoove, feels the same way. In a 2024 Instagram post, he shared, “How it started vs How it ended,” and added, “It’ll always be Knicks for life.”

Jordyn Woods is a big fan of the New York Knicks, and her connection to the team goes beyond just being a spectator. She’s currently engaged to Karl-Anthony Towns, who plays center for the Knicks.

Cardi B, known for her hit song “Bodak Yellow,” is a big fan of the colors orange and blue. She recently went public with her relationship with former NFL player Stefon Diggs at a 2025 basketball game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics.

Anne Hathaway is sporting Chanel boots in New York Knicks colors! The actress, known for her role in The Devil Wears Prada, subtly showed her support for the team by wearing an orange and blue pocket square on The Tonight Show in April 2026.

She described herself as a relaxed and supportive fan, telling Jimmy Fallon she’s ‘very chill’ and ‘loving and calm.’ But she also admitted she almost wore a vintage jersey to show her dedication.

I’ve always known Jimmy Fallon was a huge Knicks fan, and it was so cool to see him share that with his daughter, Franny! I heard he even took her to some of the 2026 NBA playoff games – what a dad!

You don’t need a time machine to know Michael J. Fox is a big Knicks fan. The actor and his wife, Tracy Pollan, are frequent attendees at the team’s games.

Despite the Knicks’ inconsistent performance, Jon Stewart has remained a dedicated fan, even describing himself as a loyal supporter through thick and thin.

Singer Maggie Rogers is a big New York Knicks fan, and she’s openly shared her support for the team – so a Knicks win is always a welcome sound to her.

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2026-06-11 05:17