Knicks fans’ tickets to NBA Finals Game 5 valid despite Spurs’ rule designed to cancel purchases

SAN ANTONIO — Buy tickets for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at your own risk, New Yorkers.

Throughout the postseason, the San Antonio Spurs have implemented a 150-mile rule on seats sold through Ticketmaster. The policy warns that purchases made with credit cards with billing addresses outside of 150 miles from Frost Bank Center will be canceled and refunded.

Several NBA teams implement a similar policy, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks’ opponent in the Eastern Conference finals. But that didn’t keep Knicks fans from invading Rocket Arena for games 3 and 4 of that series.

Ticketmaster posted a message on social media Saturday afternoon clarifying that the geographic restrictions were set by the host team and applied at the time of purchase, but anyone with “a valid, authenticated ticket” would get into the arena Saturday night.

“No tickets purchased on Ticketmaster for this game have or will be canceled,” the statement on X read.

Earlier in the day, the Spurs’ 150-mile policy made the rounds on social media, as Knicks fans were concerned their tickets would be canceled after flying across the country to see their team potentially clinch its first championship in 53 years.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul voiced her concerns on X Saturday morning, saying: “Knicks fans finally get within one game of a championship and their reward is having their tickets canceled. Thousands of New Yorkers bought tickets, booked flights, and made plans in good faith. Ticketmaster and the Spurs should reverse this decision and let the fans who bought those seats keep them. Until then, on behalf of Knicks fans everywhere, I’m calling foul.”

Madison Square Garden Sports released a statement Saturday afternoon reassuring Knicks fans that they will be let into the building for Saturday’s Game 5.

“Contrary to prior reporting, we’ve confirmed with Spurs ownership that they will not be revoking any tickets that Knicks fans have to tonight’s game in San Antonio and all ticket holders will be allowed in to Frost Bank Arena,” the statement read.

The Spurs’ policy has been in place the entire postseason, but it’s unclear how strictly it has been enforced. Knicks fans filled the stands in games 1 and 2 in San Antonio, with many coming from New York. But the Spurs confirmed in a statement released to The Athletic on Saturday that the policy is aimed at mitigating a blue-and-orange takeover.

“The 150-mile radius restriction introduced during the Playoffs remains in place throughout the NBA Finals,” the statement read. “This allows us to continue prioritizing local fans across San Antonio, Austin, and the surrounding communities.”

Earlier in the finals, the Spurs enforced a policy prohibiting the resale of tickets through unofficial platforms, informing season ticket holders whose tickets were not resold through the official Ticketmaster platform that their season ticket membership was being revoked.

“We’re focused on getting authentic tickets into the hands of our fans and strongly encourage fans to only buy from verified marketplaces,” the Spurs said in a statement to The Athletic. “Our resale guidelines have been communicated to our members throughout the season and in conjunction with Playoffs and Finals going on sale.”

— Joe Vardon contributed to this report.