N.Y. General Business Law Section 7
Public sports and exercises on Sunday

All public sports, exercises or shows, except professional golf tournaments and games of the World University Games conducted in Erie, Genesee and Niagara counties in nineteen hundred ninety-three, upon the first day of the week, and all noise unreasonably disturbing the peace of the day are prohibited, except as hereinafter provided. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, it shall be lawful to conduct, witness, participate or engage in any form of public sports, exercises or shows which are conducted or engaged in primarily for the entertainment of spectators, not specifically prohibited by any provision of the law, on the first day of the week after five minutes past one o’clock in the afternoon, to witness which the public is invited or an admission fee is charged, either directly or indirectly, in a city, town or village as shall be permitted by local law or ordinance heretofore or hereafter adopted by the common council or other legislative body of the city, town or village permitting such public sports, exercises or shows on such day and after such hour provided, however, the failure of a city, town or village in which a municipally owned stadium, arena or facility is located, to adopt such a local law or ordinance shall not prohibit such public sports, exercises or shows beginning after five minutes past one o’clock in the afternoon on the first day of the week in any such stadium, arena or facility. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to prohibit private sports, games or recreational activities which are engaged in primarily for the personal enjoyment, recreation and health of the participants, on the first day of the week, conducted in a manner which does not constitute a serious interruption of the repose or religious liberty of the community. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, it shall be lawful for pari-mutuel facilities licensed in accordance with article two of the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law to conduct or engage in activities authorized under their licensure on the first day of the week after twelve o’clock post meridian.

Source: Section 7 — Public sports and exercises on Sunday, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/GBS/7 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jun. 21, 2025).

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Verified:
Jun. 21, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 7. Pub. sports & exercises on Sunday's source at nysenate​.gov

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