How To Get To Madison Square Garden From The 59th Street Columbus Station

Limited-Edition MetroCards Herald NBA All-Star NYC

Press Release

All-Star New York 2015 Metrocards

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is celebrating the All-Star Game's return to New York with a new branded MetroCard touting the city's two home basketball teams, the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets. The city last hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1998.

The NBA and MTA will distribute 600,000 special double-sided MetroCards ahead of the 64th annual All-Star Game February 13 to 15 with events taking place at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and other locations throughout the five boroughs.

The NBA All-Star Game 2015 MetroCard is a treat for fans of New York's two teams as both are featured in a design that references the New York City Transit subway map, the system's iconic signage and the tile mosaics used in subway stations. The front of the card carries the motto for this year's event: "New York Takes Center Court."

Eagle-eyed 2 train customers can also try to spot a special 10-car subway train wrapped in a design featuring NBA players on both the interior and exterior of the train.

The branded MetroCards serve as a reminder that the MTA is the easiest way to get to events since the two game venues are served directly by the Long Island Rail Road and multiple subway and bus lines. Fans can get to Madison Square Garden by taking ACE123 to 34 St-Penn Station, BDFM to 34 St-Herald Sq, the LIRR to Penn Station, or M4, M7, M20, M34, and Q32 bus lines. Barclays Center is served by the BDNQR2345 lines, C to Lafayette Av, G to Fulton St, the LIRR to Atlantic Terminal, or the B25, B26, B38, B41, B45, B52, B63, B65, and B103 buses.

"Both of the venues for this year's All-Star Game events are on top of major transportation hubs for Long Island Rail Road and New York City subways and buses," said Paul J. Fleuranges, MTA's senior director of corporate and internal communications. "Whether it's the commuter rail or the subway, the MTA is the best way to get to the games without having to worry about traffic or parking."

MTA New York City Transit will increase subway service after the events at Barclays Center to accommodate fans as they depart the venue. LIRR customers heading home from Barclays Center can take advantage of the late night train schedule, which is available on the MTA website. For a full listing of NBA All-Star events, please visit https://www.nba.com/allstar/.

The NBA All-Star 2015 MetroCards will be available at station booths and MetroCard Vending Machines at 13 subway stations beginning this week. The stations are:

· Times Square-42 St NQRS1237

· 42 St-Port Authority Bus Terminal ACE

· Grand Central-42 St S 4567

· 34 St-Penn Station LIRR ACE

· 34 St-Penn Station LIRR 123

· 34 St-Herald Sq BDFM NQR

· 14 St-Union Sq L NQR 456

· 59 St-Columbus Circle ABCD1

· Court St R

· Borough Hall 2345

· Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr LIRR B DN QR2345

· Fulton St ACJZ2345

· Lexington Av/59 St NQR456

Since the MTA began selling ad space on the fare card, the MetroCard has become the premier way for sports advertisers to reach a diverse audience. The Brooklyn Nets launched the 2014-2015 season with a branded fare card, and the New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee commemorated Super Bowl XLVIII last year with a series of four different MetroCard designs. The MTA produces 4 million to 5 million MetroCards every month.