Ticketmaster Refuses to Cancel Knicks Fans' Tickets for NBA Finals in Texas. Ticketmaster has confirmed that tickets for the Knicks vs. Spurs game will not be voided due to geographic restrictions. The decision affects fans from New York and has sparked a response from local authorities. More details in our coverage.
Ticketmaster has officially stated that tickets for Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the Knicks and the Spurs in San Antonio will not be canceled for fans from other regions. This announcement followed panic among Knicks fans due to restrictions on ticket purchases based on place of residence. The Ticketmaster website stated that orders from buyers living more than 150 miles from the arena might be canceled and refunded without warning.
News about possible cancellations sparked a sharp reaction in New York. State Governor Kathy Hochul publicly criticized the situation, noting that Knicks fans, for the first time close to a championship, risk being denied access to the game. State Attorney General Letitia James also joined the discussion, demanding that the restrictions be lifted and that everyone who purchased tickets be allowed into the Frost Bank Center.
In response to the wave of outrage, Ticketmaster stressed that no ticket purchased through their platform has been or will be canceled. A Spurs spokesperson clarified that the restrictions apply only to new purchases—if the billing address does not match the required zone, it is not possible to buy a ticket. However, already purchased tickets remain valid, and their holders will be able to attend the game.
As explained by the Spurs club, the geographical restrictions were introduced back in April to give local fans more opportunities to attend key playoff games. This practice is common in American sports and is used to protect the interests of local supporters. Ticketmaster confirmed that it determines residence based on the address provided in the payment information.
After the official clarifications, representatives of Madison Square Garden Sports Corp, which owns the Knicks, reported that they had received confirmation from the Spurs: not a single ticket for Knicks fans would be canceled, and all holders would be able to access the arena. Attorney General James also stated that she was satisfied with the final decision and supported the fans.
For reference: Frost Bank Center is the home arena of the Spurs in San Antonio and holds over 18,000 spectators. Ticket sales restrictions based on place of residence are regularly used in the US for major sporting events to minimize mass ticket purchases by visiting fans. In Spain, this practice is rare, but some La Liga clubs occasionally introduce restrictions for derbies or high-risk matches.
