Event · Chelsea District
Knicks Raise Their Championship Banner at Madison Square Garden in NYC Home Opener
The Knicks open their home season at Madison Square Garden on October 20 against the 76ers. A championship banner raising and ring ceremony come first, with tip-off at 7 p.m. It is the team's first game as defending NBA champions in 53 years.
By NBT Editors · 2026-10-20
The New York Knicks host the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 20, in the home opener of the 2026-27 season. It is the first time in 53 years that the team has opened a season as defending NBA champions.
According to ABC7 New York, last season's championship banner will go up to the Garden rafters before the game, next to the franchise's two earlier title banners. The Knicks beat the San Antonio Spurs in five games in the NBA Finals to win their first title since 1973. Time Out New York reports that the night also includes a ring ceremony.
The banner ceremony is expected to start around 6:30 p.m., and tip-off is at 7 p.m. The matchup pairs Jalen Brunson's Knicks with LeBron James and the 76ers. Brunson is the team captain and the reigning Finals MVP. The NY Daily News quoted him after Monday's practice saying there is "no relaxation whatsoever" as the team begins its title defense. ABC7 also quotes him on sharing the night with fans: "It's definitely special. They deserve it. This is something that's been brewing for a long time."
The game is at Madison Square Garden, 4 Pennsylvania Plaza, directly above Penn Station. ABC7 reported that the cheapest tickets on several resale sites were about $1,500 as of Tuesday morning.
For fans without tickets, Time Out New York lists watch parties near the Garden and elsewhere in the city. They are bringing big screens, DJs and giveaways for the banner night.
(Details are drawn from points that agree across reports by ABC7 New York, Time Out New York, Yahoo Sports.)
Where
Date
Hours
Price
