15 Hours at the World's Most Famous Arena Get an inside look at how Madison Square Garden operates when it hosts college basketball, hockey and boxing, all on one snowy December day. Outside the Lines by null 12/26/17

Get an inside look at how Madison Square Garden operates when it hosts college basketball, hockey and boxing, all on one snowy December day. Photography by Al Bello and Cassandra Giraldo Video by André Costantini

The Garden Opens In a building that rarely sleeps, much like the city it calls home, preparation is already underway from the night before, as the boxing ring takes shape, floors are polished, locker rooms are set up and athletes and fans arrive.

MSG AT A GLANCE 4 Garden Venues Since 1879



320 average number of events a year



365 Days open a Year

Tipoff At noon in the iconic main arena, perennial powerhouse Kentucky battles Monmouth during an early-season matchup. Far from Lexington, Kentucky, fans and players alike are right at home in a venue they've traveled to many times before.

ON THE COURT 48 College Games



10,438 People at This Game



660 miles traveled by both teams

THE CHANGEOVER As soon as the court empties, the transformation to a hockey rink begins. Floor panels are removed, the ice is uncovered, advertisements are changed, seating is rearranged and the boards are put in. One of the only areas of the arena that goes untouched is the signature paneled concave ceiling.

Work that goes into the Changeover 2.5 Hours To Change



228 Floor Panels Removed



160 workers to transform

The Puck Drop At ice level, the Devils' equipment is rolled in and the Rangers get loose with a game of soccer before taking on a bitter rival. Moments after the rink is ready, players in pads and skates take the same walk into the arena that Kentucky and Monmouth did in shorts and sneakers just hours before.

On The Ice 10,000 Gallons of Water to Make Ice



660 Gallons of Water Zamboni Uses Each Game



18,006 Fans at this game

The Main Event A short walk and escalator ride down from the main arena brings fans to the Theater, where during a late-night bout in front of a crowd of 5,102, junior lightweight world titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko dominates Guillermo Rigondeaux for a TKO victory in Round 6. During postfight interviews, the apron is untied and the ring is dismantled as the space gets transformed one more time.

The work and the reward 4 Hours To Install the Ring



207 Media Staff Working This Event



10 years current ring has been in use

Additional video by Jeff Basinger