Barclays Center: Brooklyn’s Premier Sports and Events Arena
Barclays Center is a massive 17,732-seat arena in Brooklyn hosting NBA basketball games for the Brooklyn Nets, WNBA games for the New York Liberty, concerts, and other major events.
Booking Barclays Center Tour
Official PartnerWhat You Need to Know About Barclays Center in New York
- Barclays Center is Brooklyn‘s largest indoor arena, with exactly 17,732 seats. The venue can hold up to 19,000 people for concerts. It ranks as New York’s second-largest indoor arena, after Madison Square Garden with its 19,500 seats.
- Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, after more than two years of construction. The building was designed by the renowned New York firm SHoP Architects, which also created the Museum of Sex, the American Copper Buildings, and Steinway Tower at 111 West 57th Street in Midtown.
- The arena is home to the Brooklyn Nets, New York’s second NBA team and rivals of the New York Knicks. Barclays Center also hosts the New York Liberty, the women’s basketball team in the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball Association). The venue regularly hosts ice hockey games, wrestling and boxing matches, and concerts. Artists who have performed here include Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Madonna, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Barbra Streisand, Ed Sheeran, and Justin Timberlake in 2024.
- The venue is owned by a public entity, the Brooklyn Arena Local Development Corporation, which contracts management to a private company, Brooklyn Events Center. Why is it called Barclays Center? The name comes from the British bank Barclays through a sponsorship deal signed in 2007 for 20 years. It brings a touch of London’s City to Brooklyn. The sponsorship deal was worth $200 million.
How to Visit Barclays Center in New York
1/ Attend a Brooklyn Nets or New York Liberty Game
- The best way to experience the inside is to watch a basketball game. You’ll find the atmosphere absolutely electric. Games traditionally open with the national anthem, sung by the crowd. Then the energy builds.
- Visit the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty websites to book tickets at good prices. Book as early as possible—tickets sell out quickly. NBA basketball games run from late October through mid-April. The WNBA women’s basketball season runs from May through September.
2/ Book a Guided Tour of Barclays Center
- Another way to see inside is to take a guided tour of Barclays Center. You’ll explore the entire arena, including exclusive access to the locker rooms and areas normally off-limits to the public. You’ll also see some of the 101 luxury suites and the media area. Your English-speaking guide will share fascinating stories about this impressive venue, including details about the building’s environmental features, such as its green roof.
- To book your tour, use our Barclays Center guided tour reservation module. Select your date, enter the number of people, and complete payment on our site. Tours are conducted in English only. Barclays Center follows the model of Madison Square Garden, which has offered guided tours successfully for many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Barclays Center?
The best way to reach Barclays Center is by New York City subway. The venue is served by four subway lines and LIRR trains. Take lines 2, 3, 4, 5, B, D, N, Q, R, or W and get off at Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr. The trip takes about 25 minutes from central Manhattan. You can also easily walk to lines A, C, and G at the Hoyt Schermerhorn subway station.
Can I bring a camera to Barclays Center?
DSLR cameras and cameras with interchangeable lenses are not permitted. Leave your camera at your hotel. Photography is also not allowed inside the venue. However, you can take photos with your smartphone unless the event organizer specifies otherwise, which will be noted at the entrance.
Photos of Barclays Center
