New York City throws its first Knicks championship parade in 53 years on Thursday, and the city is bracing for as many as a million people to line the Canyon of Heroes to celebrate. Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Jose Alvarado, and the rest of the title-winning roster will be honoured along the traditional route reserved for New York’s championship teams.
The parade begins at 10am ET. City officials are strongly urging attendees to arrive at least two hours early, both to clear extensive security screening and to secure a viewing spot along the route. Security screening itself begins at 6am for everyone — free viewers along the route and ticketed City Hall attendees alike.
The Route and Where to Stand
The parade follows the traditional path used for New York’s championship celebrations, starting near Battery Park and Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan and travelling north along Broadway before ending at City Hall. A formal ceremony at City Hall is scheduled for 2pm, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani will present the team with keys to the city.
Viewing along the parade route is free, though the City Hall ceremony itself is ticketed. Mamdani’s office ran a public lottery that allocated 600 tickets to fans wanting to attend the ceremony in person. For everyone else planning to watch from the street, the city has published a list of designated access points along the route, including locations on Trinity Place, Church Street, Nassau Street, and New Street.
What You Cannot Bring
Security restrictions are strict. No bags are permitted under any circumstances. Prohibited items also include glass or metal water bottles (plastic bottles are allowed), bats and batons, bicycles and scooters, chairs, coolers, drones, backpacks, pets, strollers, umbrellas, and weapons. Anyone planning to attend should plan their day around travelling light.
Getting There and Around
Significant transportation disruptions are in effect. Parking south of Canal Street is prohibited starting at 7pm Wednesday, and the entire area south of Canal Street — from the Hudson River to the East River — closes to vehicular traffic at 7am Thursday.
Public transit options remain available with some adjustments. The Staten Island Ferry will run every 15 minutes between 7am and 9am and again between 1pm and 4pm to accommodate Staten Island residents heading into the city. Several subway stations will close starting at 4:30am and will not reopen until after the ceremony concludes — including Wall Street (4, 5 trains) and City Hall (R, W trains). Stations remaining open include Bowling Green (4, 5), Fulton Street (4, 5, J, Z, 2, 3), Brooklyn Bridge (4, 5, 6), Chambers Street (J, Z), and Park Place (2, 3).
How to Watch From Home
For anyone not making the trip into Manhattan, the parade will be broadcast widely. Local television coverage includes CBS 2, NBC 4, ABC 7, My9, MSG Network, and SNY for the regional audience. Streaming options include Fubo, alongside free streams available to US viewers through New York’s local CBS, NBC, ABC 7, and Fox affiliate stations. NBA.com and the NBA App will also carry the event for fans following along digitally.
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