To piggyback on Chorizo's post, MSG opened in 1968. It's the fourth building with that moniker and none of the previous ones were at the current location. I think some people think it's been around forever but it really hasn't. And looking at notable sports events...surprisingly meh (I have bolded the most important one): The Knicks clinched the 1970 NBA Finals at the arena in the seventh game, remembered best for Willis Reed's unexpected appearance after an injury. The Rangers would later end their 54-year championship drought by winning the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals on home ice. Finally, the 1999 NBA Finals was decided in the Garden, with the San Antonio Spurs defeating the Knicks in five games. Many of boxing's biggest fights were held at Madison Square Garden, including the Roberto Durán–Ken Buchanan affair, the first Muhammad Ali – Joe Frazier bout and the US debut of Anthony Joshua that ended in a huge upset when he was beaten by Andy Ruiz MSG has hosted the following All-Star Games: NHL All-Star Game: 1973, 1994 NBA All-Star Game: 1998, 2015 WNBA All-Star Game: 1999, 2003, 2006 All American Karate Championships held in 1968 & 1969 won by Chuck Norris 1970 was won by Mitchell Bobrow. UFC held its first event in New York City, UFC 205, at Madison Square Garden on November 12, 2016. This was the first event the organization held after New York State lifted the ban on mixed martial arts.