15 Hours at the World's Most Famous Arena
Get an inside look at how Madison Square Garden operates when it hosts college basketball, hockey and boxing, all on one snowy December day.
The Garden Opens
In a building that rarely sleeps, much like the city it calls home, preparation is already underway from the night before, as the boxing ring takes shape, floors are polished, locker rooms are set up and athletes and fans arrive.
The scene outside Madison Square Garden begins to form, leading into a busy 15 hours of sports at the world-famous arena. The fans will flow through the corridors as the arena hosts hockey, basketball and boxing in one day.
MSG AT A GLANCE
- 4Garden Venues Since 1879
- 320 average number of events a year
- 365 Days open a Year
Tipoff
At noon in the iconic main arena, perennial powerhouse Kentucky battles Monmouth during an early-season matchup. Far from Lexington, Kentucky, fans and players alike are right at home in a venue they've traveled to many times before.
At noon in the iconic main arena, perennial powerhouse Kentucky battles Monmouth during an early season matchup. Far from Lexington, Kentucky, fans and players alike are right at home in a venue they've traveled to many times before.
ON THE COURT
- 48 College Games
- 10,438People at This Game
- 660 miles traveled by both teams
THE CHANGEOVER
As soon as the court empties, the transformation to a hockey rink begins. Floor panels are removed, the ice is uncovered, advertisements are changed, seating is rearranged and the boards are put in. One of the only areas of the arena that goes untouched is the signature paneled concave ceiling.
As soon as the court empties, the transformation to a hockey rink begins. Floor panels are removed, advertisements are changed, seating is rearranged and the boards are put in.
Work that goes into the Changeover
- 2.5 Hours To Change
- 228Floor Panels Removed
- 160workers to transform
The Puck Drop
At ice level, the Devils' equipment is rolled in and the Rangers get loose with a game of soccer before taking on a bitter rival. Moments after the rink is ready, players in pads and skates take the same walk into the arena that Kentucky and Monmouth did in shorts and sneakers just hours before.
Moments after the rink gets it's finishing touches, fans are allowed into the arena.
On The Ice
- 10,000 Gallons of Water to Make Ice
- 660Gallons of Water Zamboni Uses Each Game
- 18,006 Fans at this game
The Main Event
A short walk and escalator ride down from the main arena brings fans to the Theater, where during a late-night bout in front of a crowd of 5,102, junior lightweight world titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko dominates Guillermo Rigondeaux for a TKO victory in Round 6. During postfight interviews, the apron is untied and the ring is dismantled as the space gets transformed one more time.
A short walk and escalator ride down from the main arena brings fans to the Theater, where during a late-night bout junior lightweight world titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko dominates Guillermo Rigondeaux for a TKO victory in Round 6.
The work and the reward
- 4 Hours To Install the Ring
- 207Media Staff Working This Event
- 10years current ring has been in use
