Want to sit next to Timothée Chalamet at Madison Square Garden during a New York Knicks playoff game? Be ready to spend big. Knicks tickets near the Oscar-nominated actor are going for as much as $62,000.
As New York celebrates its first Eastern Conference Finals appearance in 25 years, demand for the most exclusive seats in the building — Celebrity Row — has reached historic highs.
The price tag for celebrity proximity at MSG
While average seats for Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers were listed at just under $1,200, and entry-level tickets cost about $600, sitting courtside near celebrities like Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, Bad Bunny, or Cardi B is on a different level entirely.
What is celebrity row — And who gets in?
Celebrity Row is the ultra-exclusive front row at Knicks games, typically reserved for A-listers, iconic fans, and culturally relevant figures. But here’s the catch: you can’t just buy your way in.
According to sources familiar with MSG policy, the team personally selects guests for these seats based on cultural influence, Knicks loyalty, and “board approval”.
Big names like Spike Lee, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, and Chris Rock are regulars, not just because they’re famous, but because they bleed orange and blue. Even Cardi B’s new boyfriend, NFL star Stefon Diggs, reportedly only scored a seat because of his relationship.
Timothée Chalamet became a Knicks courtside regular
Once selected, celebrities still pay for their seats, but at prices similar to regular courtside tickets — between $4,000 and $6,000 per game. That is, unless you’re sitting next to someone like Chalamet during the playoffs, when the value (and buzz) can push resale prices to $60K+.
And there are unwritten rules. Celebs are expected to behave, keep it classy, and understand they’re likely to be on national TV.
MSG’s Celebrity Row isn’t just about status — it’s about storytelling. The Knicks choose people who reflect their brand, energize the crowd, and amplify the Garden’s legendary atmosphere.
For true fans like Chalamet, who grew up idolizing Amar’e Stoudemire, getting that front-row seat isn’t just a flex. It’s a full-circle New York moment.