The sun is up and New York is still reeling from Saturday night’s historic Knicks win, marking the very first NBC championship that NYC has seen in over 53 years. The streets are alive as ever in a sea of blue and orange, and the love and pride for our favorite city is off the charts.
To recap, though we’re sure you don’t need it, Saturday night’s Game 5 victory officially crowned the New York Knicks NBA champions for the first time in 53 years.
After trailing by as many as 16 points and entering the fourth quarter down by 10, the Knicks mounted yet another improbable comeback, led by Jalen Brunson’s incredible 45-point performance, to defeat the San Antonio Spurs 107-103 and win the Finals 4-1.
The victory capped off a historic postseason run that included 13 straight playoff wins, sweeps of the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, and a record-setting 29-point Finals comeback in Game 4—all culminating in the franchise’s first championship since 1973.
And if you thought the party was over, think again.
The Knicks Ticker-Tape Parade: What To Know
In honor of the historic win, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has announced that New York City will host an official ticker-tape parade and championship celebration for the Knicks on Thursday, June 18.
When will the parade take place?
The Knicks ticker-tape parade will be held on Thursday, June 18 at 10 a.m., marking the city’s official celebration of the team’s historic NBA championship win.
What is the route?
The parade will begin at Battery Park and travel north along Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes, before finishing at City Hall at Broadway and Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan.
Do you need a ticket?
No tickets are required. The celebration is completely free and open to the public, allowing fans from all over the city to line the streets and take part in the historic moment.
What time should you arrive?
If you’re planning to attend in person, you’ll want to arrive early. Security screening areas will begin opening at 6 a.m.—a full four hours before the parade steps off—and city officials expect crowds to build quickly throughout the morning. Viewing areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with no tickets required for the parade route itself.
What security measures will be in place?
All attendees entering parade viewing areas will be required to pass through security screening checkpoints. To help keep lines moving, city officials are asking fans to travel light and review prohibited items before arriving.
Bags of any kind will not be permitted inside screening areas, including backpacks. Other prohibited items include glass and metal water bottles, chairs, coolers, bicycles, scooters, drones, strollers, umbrellas, pets, bats, weapons, and similar oversized items. Plastic water bottles will be permitted.
Those who live or work within the parade zone will still be able to access their buildings with proper identification.
Where can you enter the parade route?
Unlike a typical street festival, fans won’t be able to access the parade route from just anywhere. The city has designated more than 20 official entry points throughout Lower Manhattan, stretching from Battery Place to City Hall.
Major access points include locations along Church Street, Trinity Place, Nassau Street, New Street, and nearby cross streets such as Liberty Street, Fulton Street, Murray Street, Warren Street, Cedar Street, and Maiden Lane. Attendees should expect screening lines at each entrance and should use the access point closest to their intended viewing area.
Will there be closures and transit changes?
Yes, major street closures and MTA service adjustments are expected throughout Lower Manhattan, including rerouted buses, subway entrance restrictions, and limited access near the parade route.
Is there an accessible viewing area?
Yes. The city will provide a designated ADA-accessible viewing section on the west side of Broadway between Vesey Street and Barclay Street. Accessible entry will be available via Barclay Street and Church Street, offering a dedicated viewing space for fans with mobility needs.
Can you attend the City Hall ceremony?
The parade itself is free and open to the public, but the championship ceremony at City Hall is a separate ticketed event. All ceremony attendees will also be required to pass through security screening and follow the same prohibited-items policy as the parade route.
Can’t make it in person?
For fans who’d rather avoid the crowds, the city will livestream both the parade and the official City Hall celebration online. Viewers will be able to watch the festivities unfold in real time from home, the office, or wherever they’re celebrating the Knicks’ long-awaited championship victory.
What other celebrations will take place?
The event will mark the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history. The mayor also announced that City Hall and municipal buildings across New York City will be illuminated in blue and orange on the evening of June 18. According to City Hall, confirmed buildings include the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building and Brooklyn Borough Hall, with additional locations potentially joining the tribute.
In a statement released by City Hall, Mayor Mamdani said:
For more than 50 years, New Yorkers have waited for this moment, This team fulfilled that hope with grit, resilience and heart, just like the five boroughs itself. New Yorkers have cheered for our team from packed living rooms in the Bronx to watch parties in Brooklyn, from bars in Queens to Staten Island to Manhattan, and Madison Square Garden itself. Now it’s time for our city to celebrate together. Bing bong
Now, after 53 years of waiting, New Yorkers will finally get the chance to celebrate their champions in the most New York way possible: with a ticker-tape parade through the Canyon of Heroes.
It’s New York or nowhere, and we couldn’t be happier to be here.
This article will be updated with any aditional parade information ahead of Thursday.
