5 Things You Need to Know About Madison Square Garden's Shocking New Banned Items List
- The historic venue has quietly updated its prohibited items list to include professional-grade cameras, laptops, and tablets larger than 14 inches, a move security experts say is unprecedented compared to similar-sized arenas like the Barclays Center.
- Smelling salts and aerosol cans (including sunscreen) are now banned entirely, creating viral moments as fans have been turned away at the entrance for these items. This has sparked heated debate online about safety versus fan comfort.
- The new policy is being enforced with state-of-the-art AI-powered metal detectors, which can identify prohibited items even in bags. This technology has already resulted in a 40% spike in confiscations during Knicks games.
- A loophole has emerged on TikTok, showing fans how to sneak in GoPro cameras by storing them in hollowed-out water bottles—a workaround security guards are now trained to specifically look for.
- The list change comes as MSG prepares to host the 2025 NBA All-Star Game and a UFC event on the same weekend in February, with insiders hinting that the rules are being tested for potential league-wide adoption.