After nearly a decade, Billy Joel’s residency at Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York is coming to an end. The 74-year-old musician announced at a press conference this month that his last show at MSG will be held in July 2024. Billy Joel’s team confirmed the final Madison Square Garden residency date (July 25, 2024) and primary on-sale details in an official announcement from BillyJoel.com.
Since 2014, Joel has performed once a month at The Garden, creating a lifetime experience for New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple. The last shows of Billy Joel’s residency will kick off on Oct. 20, 2023, and run through to July 2024. Due to overwhelming demand, the singer added an additional MSG show later this fall on Nov. 22.
The event will mark Joel’s 142nd-lifetime show at the historic New York venue. Madison Square Garden CEO James Dolan acknowledged the end of this journey in a June Billboard article. He stated that “…Billy’s music has defined our city and brought us together. On behalf of 8.5 million New Yorkers, congratulations, Billy, on a historic run of sold-out shows at MSG…”
A Lifetime at The Garden
In December 2013, Billy Joel was introduced as the first music franchise at Madison Square Garden, aka “The World’s Most Famous Arena.” From his first concert at the venue in 1978, Joel’s residency consisted of monthly shows starting in January 2014. With upwards of 100 performances, Billy Joel sold out 12 consecutive shows in this decade of greatness and was honored with a banner at The Garden. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo even declared July 18, 2018, as “Billy Joel Day” in New York state, commemorating Billy Joel’s 100th lifetime performance at MSG.
10 years of Billy Joel!
The greatest arena run of all time is coming to an end. The historic sold-out monthly residency at The World’s Most Famous Arena will conclude in July 2024 with his 150th lifetime performance. pic.twitter.com/41nSt4Hf3g
— Billy Joel (@billyjoel) June 1, 2023
With shows featuring hit songs like “Uptown Girl,” “Just the Way You Are” and “Piano Man,” Joel has created a record-breaking legacy to add to his many accomplishments. By 2015, he earned the honor of “most consecutive performances by any artist” as well as “most lifetime performances by any artist.” The Long Island native’s residency at The Garden became a staple for the best New York City experience.
Why Madison Square Garden?
Born in the Bronx and raised on Long Island, Billy Joel is more than familiar with New York City streets. Joel recalled his first time visiting the venue in a 2021 USA TODAY interview. His parents brought him to see Gene Autry and to him “It seemed like the biggest place I could ever imagine.” The decision to reside at MSG came as the singer was recovering from hip surgery. Barring a few one-off concerts, Joel hadn’t done a major tour since 2010. In a 2014 Billboard interview, he stated that he “didn’t really start thinking about working again until I played at the 12-12-12 concert for Hurricane Sandy Relief at the Garden.” After this, MSG contacted Joel’s agent to set up a series of shows at The Garden. Joel readily agreed saying, “‘hmm, that’s kinda cool… all I gotta do is commute.’”
See The Piano Man Live
As The Garden part ways with Billy Joel, the singer will finish up his Two Icons, One Night Tour with Stevie Nicks. The tour has scheduled dates in cities like Philadelphia, Penn., Kansas City, Mo., and Columbus, Ohio. The final stop of this 2023 tour is scheduled for Dec. 8 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. Billy Joel will also put on a solo show on July 7 at Hyde Park in London. This will be his only stop in Europe for the year.
For a broader look at dates and history around his final run, see TicketSmarter’s Insider coverage of the Billy Joel 2024 tour dates and residency milestones.
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How to find last‑chance tickets for a residency finale
Final shows at a historic venue like The Garden can sell out fast, but fans still have options. TicketSmarter recommends:
- Buy early when possible, but keep watching. Some prices ease closer to showtime as sellers adjust.
- Save your account and payment details in advance so you can check out quickly when seats appear.
- Use multiple devices and browsers, and consider the mobile app alongside desktop.
- Hard refresh right at on-sale time. A quick refresh can surface newly released inventory.
- Set alerts for specific sections and price ranges so you get immediate notifications.
Primary box office vs verified resale for sold‑out nights
- Primary box office: Check for returns, unclaimed Will Call, and late releases, which sometimes appear even after a date looks sold out.
- Verified resale: Look for verified listings and review seller details when available for peace of mind.
- Price behavior: Secondary prices can spike for floor and premium seats, while some upper levels remain more stable. Many shows see prices soften in the final weeks as supply and demand rebalance.
You can compare options and explore concerts, sports, and theatre across the country on the TicketSmarter homepage.
What to know about attending a finale at Madison Square Garden
- Arrival and entry: Expect heavier crowds. Plan early arrival for security, merch, and photo moments under Joel’s banner.
- Seat upgrades: Premium and VIP inventory sometimes appears closer to the date if production holds release.
- Policies: Most events do not offer refunds. Review your order details and venue rules before purchase.
- Travel and hotels: Pair your tickets with lodging close to Penn Station to simplify arrivals and post-show travel.
Why artists choose residencies at a single arena
Many artists embrace monthly residencies to reduce travel days, maintain production quality, and deepen the connection with local fans. Concentrating shows in one venue can improve crew logistics and stability, which often elevates the fan experience. Industry coverage from Pollstar explains that residencies reduce travel and load-in/out days, lower production and travel costs for artists and crews, and allow more elaborate, consistent staging that improves the fan experience. As demand builds, venues may add dates to accommodate more fans while preserving production standards.
FAQ: Billy Joel at MSG and residency finales
How can I find last‑chance concert tickets for a musician ending a long‑term residency at a major arena?
Use TicketSmarter to track listings and set alerts for your preferred sections. Save your payment details and check both mobile and desktop. Late primary releases and verified resale listings often appear in the final days.
What are the best strategies to secure tickets for final residency shows at a historic venue?
Start early, then keep monitoring. Use multiple devices, refresh at known release times, and consider verified resale for specific seat locations. TicketSmarter recommends alerts and watchlists to catch price drops.
Why do artists choose monthly residencies at a single arena instead of touring extensively?
Residencies reduce travel strain, streamline production, and allow artists to deliver consistent shows. For fans, this can mean better sound, staging, and more opportunities for added dates when demand surges.
How do ticket prices behave when an artist ends a long‑running residency?
Prices can be volatile. Premium seats may surge, while some upper-level tickets stay more stable. Many events see prices adjust downward in the final month as sellers recalibrate. TicketSmarter suggests monitoring trends and setting target price alerts.
What should I know about attending the final shows of a decade‑long residency at Madison Square Garden?
Arrive early, review venue policies, and expect heavier crowds and commemorative merch. Watch for last‑minute seat releases and upgrades. TicketSmarter can help you compare verified listings if you decide to upgrade.
Should I buy from the primary box office or a resale marketplace for a sold‑out residency concert?
Check both. Primary sellers sometimes release returns or production holds, while verified resale listings can offer specific rows and sections you want. Compare options on TicketSmarter to balance seat location and total price.
Can a ticketing company help with travel and hotel deals for an out‑of‑town residency finale?
Yes. TicketSmarter partners with travel providers, so you can pair your tickets with hotel offers. See current events and travel options on the TicketSmarter homepage.
Where can I read more about Billy Joel’s final MSG run and 2024 dates?
TicketSmarter’s Insider guide to Billy Joel 2024 tour dates offers context, added dates, and historical notes around his Garden legacy.
About the author
Written by TicketSmarter Editorial
Updated: January 17, 2026
TicketSmarter’s editorial team covers major tours, venue residencies, and fan buying tips to help you get to the shows you love. Explore concerts, sports, and theatre on the TicketSmarter homepage.
