The San Antonio Spurs are taking an unusual step to keep the Frost Bank Center from turning into a Knicks home game. Ahead of Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals, the team has imposed a geographic restriction on ticket sales, effectively shutting out fans who live outside a 150-mile radius of the arena.
TicketMaster’s purchase page for Game 5 now carries a blunt warning: “Sales to this event will be restricted to customers residing within a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center.” The move comes after New York fans flooded San Antonio for Games 1 and 2, creating a noticeable visiting presence. Now, with the Knicks up 3-1 in the series and one win away from their first title since 1973, the Spurs are trying to protect home-court advantage by limiting the opposition’s crowd support.
New York’s Game 4 comeback — erasing a 29-point deficit — was one of the most stunning in Finals history. That dramatic win has Knicks fans dreaming of a championship celebration in Texas, forcing the Spurs to act. According to the ticket policy, out-of-state buyers will be blocked unless they can verify residency within the restricted zone. The team has not confirmed whether the policy applies to secondary market sales, but fans online noted that resale listings may still allow non-local purchases.
The Spurs entered the Finals with serious momentum after knocking off the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game Western Conference Finals. But the Knicks have won three of the first four games, including both contests in San Antonio. Victor Wembanyama has been dominant, averaging 27.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks per game, but New York’s balanced attack has kept the Spurs on their heels.
Stephon Castle is contributing 16.8 points and 5.5 rebounds, while rookie Dylan Harper is averaging 16.3 points and 6.8 boards. Yet the supporting cast has struggled to match the Knicks’ intensity, especially in the fourth quarter of Game 4.
Game 5 tips off June 13 at 8:30 p.m. ET. If the Spurs win, the series shifts back to New York for Game 6. If they lose, the Knicks will celebrate a title on San Antonio’s home floor — with far fewer New York fans in the stands than they would have had otherwise.
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