Outrage as World Cup threatens to wreak havoc with Knicks' playoff run… as NBA fans face travel nightmare

New York Knicks fans have been left fretting over their travel plans should they reach the NBA Finals – which will coincide with a shutdown of Penn Station. 

The Knicks are one step away from the NBA Finals after sweeping the Philadelphia 76ers to book their place in the Eastern Conference Finals against either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Detroit Pistons. 

Should they beat either of those teams, they will reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, marking a major success for the franchise and its fans. 

However, internet sleuths who have already began planning for the occasion have quickly realized that they could experience major travel disruptions for the Finals. 

As previously revealed, New Yorkers will be barred from entering parts of the busiest transportation hub in North America throughout the World Cup this summer.

Ahead of the eight World Cup matches that will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, including the final showdown, New York’s Penn Station will reportedly only be accessed by fans attending the games. 

New Yorkers will be barred from entering parts of Penn Station during the World Cup 

The train station, located in the heart of Manhattan, will be a crucial gateway for fans traveling from the city to the Meadowlands to watch games at MetLife. 

As a result, for four hours before kickoff and three hours after each match, Penn Station will be closed off to everyone but World Cup ticket-holders.

It comes as a major concern for Knicks fans given that, should they reach the Finals.

Currently, the first two World Cup matches hosted in New Jersey will be on June 13 and 16, which are the same dates as the Game 5 and Game 6 of the NBA Finals. 

Should the Knicks make it that far, one of those games will be held at Madison Square Garden.

One fan who realized the potential issue took to X (Twitter) to warn others. 

On Thursday, they wrote: ‘Penn Station being shut down to NJ Transit riders from 5pm to 8pm on the night of Game 6 of the NBA Finals is nightmare fuel stuff for Jersey-based Knicks fans.’

Currently, the first two World Cup matches hosted in New Jersey will be on June 13 and 16, which are the same dates as the Game 5 and Game 6 of the NBA Finals

Eight games will be held at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium throughout the tournament 

Currently, on June 13, Brazil are scheduled to face Morocco at MetLife and then, three days later, France will face Senegal at the New Jersey stadium. 

As some fans digested the news of the potential travel chaos, others talked down suggestions that they will reach the NBA Finals.

The Knicks have just secured their place in the Eastern Conference Finals and must get past either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Detroit Piston in order to reach the Finals. 

From there, they could face either Oklahoma City Thunder, the Minnesota Timberwolves or the San Antonio Spurs.