76ers donating 500 tickets to home games, but it won't keep this Long Island Knicks fan away
Knicks fans celebrate during a watch party next to MSG on May 4, 2026. Credit: Ed Quinn
The 76ers already had taken measures to prevent Knicks fans from taking over Xfinity Mobile Arena during Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, geographically restricting ticket sales on Ticketmaster to fans in the greater Philadelphia area.
Another attempt to keep Knicks fans out of the building was revealed Friday morning, when The Associated Press reported that the 76ers will donate 500 tickets for each of their remaining home playoff games this round to area community groups.
Despite Philadelphia’s best efforts, plenty of Knicks fans — including some Long Islanders — are expected to be in the building for Friday night’s Game 3 and Sunday’s Game 4. Huntington’s Julie Moss Silver, 42, has a ticket for Sunday's game. She thought it was “ridiculous” for the 76ers to geographically limit ticket purchases.
“I think it should be illegal, to be honest with you,” she told Newsday. “It's insane.
“The bottom line is that this is actually — in my opinion — [the Knicks are] actually a legitimate team, that they haven't won since 1973. These fans are — if you're willing to travel, don't try and ban them from an arena. It’s just stupid.”
Through Facebook, Moss Silver found a Knicks fan who lives in Philadelphia and bought a $528 ticket in the sixth row of Section 112. The fan did not charge her any interest, and she noted how the Knicks' fan base is “really a community.”
Knicks fans previously invaded Philadelphia during their 2024 first-round playoff series. Two years ago, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin announced that he had teamed up with 76ers owners to buy thousands of tickets to prevent Knicks fans from being there.
“I just bought more than 2,000 tix for Sixers Game 6 — we absolutely CANNOT let Knicks fans take over our arena again!!!” Rubin posted on X in May 2024. “Giving them to first responders, health care professionals and other local Philadelphia-based organizations once we know they’re legit Sixers fans and not imposters!!”
Joel Embiid added fuel to the fire before this year’s series, when he said: “Last time we played the Knicks it felt like this was Madison Square Garden East. So we’re going to need the support. Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
Moss Silver didn’t think that was the smartest move by the 76ers star.
“I think it was stupid of Embiid to say anything because that went viral, and it just triggered everyone to want to go more,” she said.
For Friday night’s Game 3, the 76ers are giving tickets to 250 frontline medical personnel from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine and 250 local educators selected by Learn Fresh, Breakthrough of Greater Philadelphia, the Philadelphia school district and Camden, New Jersey, school district.
During Sunday’s Game 4, the 76ers will welcome 500 moms and children selected by Uplift Center for Grieving Children, Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, La Liga del Barrio and Apologues.
Moss Silver thinks Knicks fans will show up “loud and proud.”
“Two years ago, I wasn't there, but when they played the Sixers, it was insane after the Knicks won in that arena,” she said. “If that was then, I can only imagine what this is amplified.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ben Dickson is Newsday Sports' general assignment reporter. He joined Newsday’s high school sports staff in 2023 after graduating from Maryland, where he covered several of the Terrapins' teams.
