A watch party for Game 3 of the NBA Finals outside of Madison Square Garden has been canceled, the New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed.
The NYPD made the decision on Sunday in coordination with the Secret Service.
With President Trump’s attendance on Monday night, Madison Square Garden will have extra layers of security for the game.
“There will be watch parties at other locations,” the department said, according to NBC News.
“We are currently determining where they will be,” it added.
A city permit application for a watch party outside of the famous arena was denied.
NYC rejects permits for MSG's outdoor Knicks watch party for Game 3 of NBA Finals https://t.co/L8rdsPuJ03 pic.twitter.com/OOK7B1bUPl
— New York Post (@nypost) June 7, 2026
The Hill shared further:
In a press release, the office of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) said that the watch party was canceled after the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and New York City Police Department (NYPD) determined it could not be held due to security requirements associated with the president’s attendance. The decision was confirmed by New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch at a Monday press conference.
Trump, who was born and raised in New York City, will attend Game 3 of the Finals — with the New York Knicks hoping to take a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series over the San Antonio Spurs. The Knicks won the first two games in San Antonio, and are just two victories away from their first championship in more than 50 years.
Tisch said multiple times on Monday that the watch party outside of MSG will return for Game 4 on Wednesday, with the NYPD modeling their security posture for that event after the New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square.
For Game 3, Tisch noted that the NYPD will set up a perimeter from West 30th Street to West 35th Street, between 6th and 8th Avenues. Seventh and 8th avenues will be closed to vehicular and general pedestrian traffic starting at 4 p.m. ET, with no access to the immediate vicinity of MSG without an authorized reason.
Watch below:
🚨WATCH: NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch says there will be no watch party outside Madison Square Garden on Monday due to President Trump attending Game 3 of the NBA Finals. pic.twitter.com/7Jzm8uzAmg
— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) June 8, 2026
Meanwhile, Mamdani announced that a watch party would be hosted at nearby Bryant Park.
Mayor Mamdani announced Bryant Park will serve as an additional Knicks watch party location for Game 3 of the NBA Finals tonight.
The city added the location after the planned watch party outside MSG was canceled due to President Trump's expected attendance. pic.twitter.com/9kl6FpXHCr
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 8, 2026
NBC News has more:
The Bryant Park event will be free and open to the public, Mamdani’s office said, though registration is required. Attendance will be capped at 5,000, it said.
New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a Monday morning news conference that in addition to the watch party at Bryant Park, hosted by Mamdani, two additional watch parties will be held for Monday’s game — one at Wollman Rink in Central Park and another at Brooklyn Bowl.
Watch additional coverage below:
This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up. View the original article here.
Join the conversation!
Please share your thoughts about this article below. We value your opinions, and would love to see you add to the discussion!