Game Of Thrones Brings Winter To Grand Central With Unique Swipes

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A set of promotional, limited-edition MetroCards depicting scenes from the massively popular HBO series "Game of Thrones" have been loaded into ticket machines and booths at Grand Central Terminal.

The 250,000 branded MetroCards will go on sale at the Midtown transit hub starting Tuesday, Dec. 4, an HBO spokesperson confirmed. HBO's initial release of the cards was scheduled for Nov. 27, but the rollout was delayed.

The cards are part of HBO's "#ForTheThrone" marketing campaign to gin up excitement for the series' final season, which will premier in Spring 2019, according to an HBO announcement from earlier this month. Characters depicted on the cards include Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Cersei Lannister and the Night King.

Similar limited-edition MetroCard promotions have prompted frenzied attempts to buy up as many cards as possible in order to cash in on the re-sale market. The "Game of Thrones" cards will be distributed among Grand Central Terminal's machines in no specific order, network officials said. Cards will be available at ticket booths within the station such as those located on East 42nd Street and Park, Lexington and Third avenues.

In addition to the themed MetroCards, Grand Central Terminal will be decorated with 150 different ads for the new "Game of Thrones" season, according to HBO. The cable network chose Grand Central Terminal as its destination to release the cards because the hub is one of the most highly trafficked stations in the city and because its a central location for holiday travel, a network spokesperson said.

Photos courtesy HBO