Governor Cuomo Announces New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets Will Have Fully Vaccinated Fan Sections for 2021 NBA Home Playoff Games

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that starting May 22, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets will have fully vaccinated fan sections which will increase capacity at their 2021 NBA home playoff games at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. For the Knicks, this will be the first trip to the playoffs since 2013. The Nets are back in the playoffs for their third straight year. With over 50% of each arena being used for fully vaccinated fan sections at the playoff games, more Knicks and Nets fans will be able to safely join together and cheer on their teams. Individuals seated in the vaccinated sections will have to show proof of full COVID-19 immunization status, which can be provided through paper form, digital application or the State's Excelsior Pass.

"As we continue to monitor the metrics across the state, we are strategically reopening our economy and making it possible for more fans to attend sporting events in person," Governor Cuomo said. "Thanks to the progress New Yorkers have achieved thus far in beating back COVID, the Knicks and the Nets will be able to welcome more fans at their home games, which is great news for sports fans and another encouraging sign of how far we've come since the pandemic upended our lives."

MSG Sports Executive Chairman James Dolan said, "What was already an incredibly exciting time around Knicks basketball has just gotten even more exciting - and we'd like to thank Governor Cuomo for making it happen. All of those fans for Knicks playoff games are going to be loud, they're going to be passionate and they're going to be ready. The Garden is going to rock. We hope the team gives all of New York something to cheer about, and that this marks the start of a busy summer for the growing number of vaccinated people who can now begin to enjoy more opportunities to celebrate together—at our venues and beyond."

BSE Global CEO John Abbamondi said, "We are thrilled that more Nets fans will be able to experience NBA Playoffs in-person. Fans are crucial in creating the exciting live event atmosphere we know and love, and we are looking forward to having them bring that energy to Barclays Center. Thank you to Governor Cuomo and his team for their leadership in helping businesses safely return as more New Yorkers get vaccinated."

Young adults and children under the age of 12 who are not yet eligible for the vaccine, or under the age of 16 who have not yet been able to be vaccinated, may accompany and be seated with a vaccinated adult in a fully vaccinated section so long as they have received a recent negative COVID-19 test result, which remains required at New York's large-scale event venues pursuant to the State's health guidance. Appropriate social distancing, masks and other applicable health protocols will still apply throughout the arenas.

Today's announcement builds on Governor Cuomo's recent measures to further reopen the economy given significant progress in vaccinations and sustained reduction in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. As of yesterday, 62 percent of New York's adults had received at least one vaccine dose and 52 percent had completed their vaccine series.