The hottest celebrity ticket in New York right now isn’t a new club or buzzy restaurant.
This week, Timothée Chalamet, Tracy Morgan, Jason Bateman and Martha Stewart have all crammed into the aptly named Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks trounce the Cavaliers.
Knicks superfans Tracy Morgan (far left) and Timothée Chalamet are regulars on the team’s Celebrity Row — including at Thursday’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals. Getty Images
Jason Bateman and Jason Sudeikis were also on hand Thursday. NBAE via Getty Images“It’s the biggest names in the front row,” an insider familiar with obtaining celebrity row seats for their top tier clients told The Post.
“B-list tends to be harder,” the source said.
Last year, the Patriots’ Stefon Diggs showed up to Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals with then-girlfriend Cardi B — but he might not have made it to the front row on his own.
“The only reason why Stefon Diggs was sitting there was because he’s dating Cardi B. Typically he wouldn’t be there unless he was with a bigger name,” the insider said.
Ben Stiller and Spike Lee, seen here Thursday, are Celebrity Row constants. NBAE via Getty Images
Chris Rock, at Game 2, is another regular. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostOthers who nab the most coveted seats in the house are die-hard fans and regulars like Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and Tracy Morgan.
The subtle secrets to the art of balancing who exactly sits where in the coveted front-row seats — for example, in 2025, Kendall Jenner and her ex-boyfriend Bad Bunny were both in the house, along with Kylie Jenner and her on-off pal Jordyn Woods — has remained under lock and key, until now.
Tuesday’s Game 1 fan lineup included Tracy Morgan, Ben Stiller and wife Christine Taylor, Michael J. Fox and wife Tracy Pollan, and Timothée Chalamet. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Martha Stewart made the Celebrity Row cut Thursday. Getty ImagesFirstly, the seats can’t just be bought. Celebrity Row is invite only.
A source close to MSG told The Post celebrities are chosen “based on their broad approval and level of popularity” that resonates with the Knicks fan base.
While she hasn’t yet been spotted at a 2026 Eastern Conference final, Kylie Jenner has been to plenty of games with Chalamet.
“Kylie’s dating Timothée Chalamet. He’s a hot celebrity right now. They’re the hot commodity,” the insider familiar with obtaining celebrity row seats for their top tier clients said of how the two made the very front. “People want to see them.”
Morgan and Chalamet chatted it up at Thursday’s game. NBAE via Getty Images
Kylie Jenner with Chalamet during playoffs earlier this month. Getty ImagesOnce someone is chosen they have to pay for their spot, but sources said prices are comparable to ordinary tickets in the area.
The source close to MSG told The Post others considered for the Celebrity Row roster include top tier A-listers, former athletes from New York and former Knicks.
Must love Knicks
The biggest ticket in? Being a huge fan. According to the source close to MSG, the loyalty showed by Morgan, Stiller and Chalamet – who once sweetly shared a throwback photo of himself at age 14 with then-Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire alongside a current photo with the former power forward and center – all help them make the cut.
Chalamet sweetly shared a throwback photo of himself at age 14 with then-Knicks star Amar’e Stoudemire. tchalamet/Instagram
The “A Complete Unknown” star then shared a photo with the former power forward and center in May 2025, celebrating a big Knicks win. tchalamet/InstagramOther well-known long-time Knicks fans like Chris Rock, Mariska Hargitay, Justin Tuck, Fat Joe, Victor Cruz, Carmelo Anthony, Clyde Frazier, Patrick Ewing, Bill Bradley, Edie Falco, Michael J. Fox and Steve Schirripa also regularly make it to front.
Being mega famous and giving back also help. Indeed, stars who participate in MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit that provides networking, mentoring and educational opportunities to young people facing illness or financial challenges are top of mind for Celebrity Row, according to the MSG source.
A-listers Timothee Chalamet, girlfriend Kylie Jenner (right) and her supermodel sister Kendall Jenner (right) were all crammed into the aptly named Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden in 2025 for a Knicks-Celtics matchup Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Cardi B sat in Celebrity Row at Madison Square Garden for Game 4 of the 2025 Eastern Conference semifinals debuting her then-new PDA packed romance with New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. Getty ImagesFormer Knicks PR chief and media consultant Joe Favorito told The Post if you don’t bleed blue and orange — you’re not getting onto Celebrity Row, no matter how famous you are.
“In Boston, Dana White was sitting with a Celtics jersey – you wouldn’t see him in Celebrity Row. You can be sitting other places if you’re rooting for the opposing team, but it’s not like you’re going to get access if you’re not wearing orange and blue.”
Being mega famous and giving back to the community also help big stars get to the coveted Celebrity Row. Indeed, stars who participate in MSG’s Garden of Dreams Foundation, a non-profit that provides networking, mentoring and educational opportunities to young people facing illness or financial challenges are top of mind for Celebrity Row, according to the MSG source. Getty Images Unwritten rules
Once stars make it to the coveted courtside, they know to be on their best behavior — and their reps will typically make them aware that the world is watching.
“It’s about being an adult — you might partake in a beverage, but you’re not going to get smashed while sitting front row at the game,” the insider familiar with obtaining celebrity row seats told The Post.
“I say [to my clients] ‘you’re probably going to be on television because you’re sitting in front row. Someone is going to highlight and see you – don’t pick your nose!”
“They know they’re sitting front row at a pretty big game. All eyes can be on them,” the insider familiar with obtaining Celebrity Row seat said of stars like Kendall Jenner, seen at a 2025 conference game. Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images“They know they’re sitting front row at a pretty big game. All eyes can be on them.”
If you don’t make Celebrity Row, the next best thing is shelling out for court side.
“Find some master of the universe selling his two seats — and be prepared to pay up. [Last year,] there were tickets for $30,000 … for the first few rows,” Favorito told The Post.
