U.S. President Donald Trump’s attendance at Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs has led to the cancellation of the traditional outdoor watch party at Madison Square Garden. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (Philippine time).
Watch Party Permit Denied
Typically, major NBA games feature watch parties where thousands of fans gather outside the venue to view the game on a big screen. However, this will not occur for Game 3. “The permit for the Plaza33 Game 3 watch party was denied by the city's permitting office in consultation with the NYPD,” an MSG spokesperson said in a statement.
NYPD Clarifies Decision
The New York Police Department (NYPD) clarified that the decision applies only to Game 3 and that a watch party may still be held for Game 4, which will also take place at MSG. “There will be no watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden for Game 3 only,” the NYPD said. “This was done fully in coordination with the Secret Service because of the presidential visit. We expect watch parties at Madison Square Garden to resume for Game 4.”
