With President Donald Trump expected to attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the New York Police Department said there will be no watch party outside Madison Square Garden for Monday’s game. The decision was made with the Secret Service as part of enhanced security measures around the arena.
The move affects one of the most popular fan gatherings tied to the Knicks’ playoff run, but officials said it applies only to Game 3. The NYPD said watch parties outside Madison Square Garden are expected to return for Game 4.
Security concerns shape the decision
The NYPD said the cancellation came after coordination with federal security officials and was tied directly to the presidential visit. Matt McCool, the special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s New York field office, said the agencies determined that an outdoor gathering in the immediate area could not be safely accommodated.
McCool said the priority was maintaining a secure environment for protective operations. He added that the agencies understood fans would be disappointed, given the importance of the game and the Knicks’ run through the Finals.
What the city said about the permit
An MSG spokesperson said the permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the city’s permitting office after consultation with the NYPD. The spokesperson also said the White House wanted to make clear that the decision was not about the president personally.
The statement added that additional street closures around Madison Square Garden were being planned. That added another layer to an already tight security environment around the arena.
Fans still have other viewing options
While the outdoor gathering was canceled, team-sanctioned watch parties will still take place at Wollman Rink in Central Park and at Brooklyn Bowl. Both events required advance registration and were already full by Sunday afternoon.
The Knicks also told fans attending Monday’s game to arrive at least two hours early because of the enhanced security setup. That warning came as the team prepared for one of its most significant postseason moments in decades.
A tense backdrop around the Garden
The decision followed a rowdy scene after Friday’s watch party, when more than two dozen people were arrested after celebrations spilled into the streets around Madison Square Garden. Police said one woman was accused of punching an officer in the face.
Before the Finals began, the city had initially moved to cancel outdoor watch parties near the arena because of concerns over unruly behavior at unofficial gatherings. Officials later reversed course and allowed a permit for Game 1, but Monday’s security plan brought the restrictions back for Game 3 only.
Trump has already attended several major sporting events during his second term, including the 2025 Super Bowl, the Daytona 500 and the Ryder Cup. For Knicks fans, the focus now shifts to the game itself, with the possibility that Game 4 could bring the return of watch parties outside Madison Square Garden.
