Madison Square Garden has hosted some of the most memorable events in sports and pop culture. The legendary Harlem Globetrotters are aiming to add another on December 14 with the start of their centennial season.
“When you think of historic and impactful events that took place at the world’s most renowned arena, not many brands can claim a 100-year legacy — touring globally, affecting lives, spreading joy, hope, and laughter everywhere,” Globetrotters President Keith Dawkins told amNY. “To begin this monumental centennial at the Garden is simply magical, right?”
Founded in 1926, the Harlem Globetrotters have spent a century advancing the game and breaking barriers, making the Garden a fitting starting point. This opener foregrounds the franchise’s New York lineage.
“The first player to sign an NBA contract with the Knicks was a Harlem Globetrotter,” Dawkins noted, referring to Sweetwater Clifton, who broke the NBA racial barrier in 1950. “The Globetrotters introduced many things we consider normal into basketball and professional sports, forever changing the landscape.” Thus, the Mecca of basketball is the perfect place to start the next century.
This “Once in a Century” event is designed to honor every era of the Globetrotters’ 100-year history. More than 60 current Globetrotters will form the largest Magic Circle in team history. The team will introduce “Gold Ball” moments to acknowledge how their creativity shaped the sport, and fans can get a limited Spalding Gold Ball in-arena. The day will include alumni and celebrity appearances, a postgame fan celebration with autographs and additional access, and New York edition collectibles exclusive to this game. It promises a fast, family-friendly show threading a century into the present experience.
The brand is revamping its look for the next century while returning to its roots. “We’ve brought back the iconic red, white, and blue, collaborating with legendary designer Jeff Hamilton,” Dawkins said. Known for his 75th anniversary NBA jackets and player collaborations, Hamilton’s work perfectly honors the franchise’s legacy.
While other sports have integrated entertainment, basketball remains the most adaptable, with ball handling, lobs, music, and movement coming together seamlessly. Dawkins emphasized this: “Before you saw the skills of Kyrie, Steph, or Luka, the Globetrotters were doing that. They pioneered the blend of entertainment and sport, fashion and music as part of the sport’s fabric.”
While the centennial show reflects on the past, the Globetrotters focus on those experiencing the game for the first time. “For some, it’s their first introduction to basketball. For others, it’s their first encounter with the skill, excellence, and magic of the sport,” Dawkins said. “It also serves as an introduction to American culture, Black culture, and women in the sport.”
This perspective ties into their “Ambassadors of Goodwill” identity established decades ago. “We were labeled by the State Department as Ambassadors of Goodwill, sharing basketball and American values worldwide,” Dawkins said. “It’s gratifying to know that for many, the Globetrotters were their first exposure to basketball or American culture, presented in a special way.”
This “special way” manifests in the game atmosphere. “At a Globetrotter game, there’s no yelling at referees or the opposing team,” Dawkins said. “It’s the best of all of us coming together, creating something truly special.”
Later this month, the Globetrotters will take the centennial show on the road, embedding their history-forward presentation into each location. They kick off their 100-year tour at MSG at noon on December 14.
When/Where: Sunday, Dec. 14, 12:00 p.m., Madison Square Garden
Tickets: Ticketmaster and the MSG Box Office; group and accessibility options available
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