Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Nets, Knicks Fans Will See Teams Play In Person For First Time In 11 Months
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 23, 2021
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Three hundred Brooklyn Nets fans are headed to Barclays Center to see Kyrie Irving and James Harden in action, while 2,000 New York Knicks fans will be at Madison Square Garden cheering Julius Randle, as professional basketball reopens to spectators on Tuesday night after nearly a year of pandemic-related closures.
The pair of games will mark the first time New York City fans will see their teams in the flesh real life since March 8th; the NBA suspended their 2020 season on March 11th last year. The season wrapped up proceedings over the summer in a spectator-less "bubble" in Orlando.
New York State authorized in-person attendance of sporting events earlier this month after the successful pilot program during the Buffalo Bills' playoff run: About 7,000 fans—or 10% of the Bills' stadium capacity—attended each game after taking a COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours in advance.
They also had to adhere to social distancing and other public health protocols such as, like submitting to contact tracing.
The costs of COVID-19 tests were included in the Bills' ticket prices. No outbreaks were reported after the two playoff games.
Capacity for the city arenas is likewise limited to 10%, which translates to 2,000 for MSG and just over 1,700 at Barclays.
However, the Nets are tiptoeing their way into the reopening by only offering tickets to 300 fans for Tuesday night and the next two home games. According to the Wall Street Journal, fans were sent at-home COVID testing kits (also included in the cost of admission). When they arrive at Barclays Center, each attendee will be given a new KF94 mask to wear. They must sit 9 feet away from other groups and are restricted to using bathrooms in their seating area.
The NY Post describes the Nets' setup as "resembl[ing] a luxury living room." Nets season ticket holders and suite holders are being given "priority access" to the reopening, but the team will open more tickets to the public with upper level seating, after the All-Star game on March 7th.
The Knicks' ticket prices do not include COVID test fees, but the team has partnered with Northwell Health to set up PCR tests for their ticket holders.
The Nets, who are 20-12, swept all five games of their West Coast jaunt—a franchise first. Their reopening hometown game will be against the Sacramento Kings. The 15-16 Knicks will be hosting the Golden State Warriors.
“Inviting fans back in, I feel it does great things for the league, it does great things for us in terms of motivation,” Nets star Kyrie Irving said.
Tagged
knicks
basketball
brooklyn nets
barclays center
madison square garden
reopening
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .