The NYPD says it will no longer support outdoor watch parties outside of Madison Square Garden following a series of increasingly chaotic crowds.
The police department said six people were arrested Thursday night following Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The New York Knicks fans attend a watch party for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 19, 2026, New York, U.S. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
NYC City Council Public Safety Chair Oswald Feliz called the move by the NYPD a mistake, saying the City should be finding ways to safely bring fans together and not shut down community viewing events.
“New Yorkers deserve to be able to enjoy their city together with their friends and their family,” Feliz said Saturday. “They also pay taxes so that we could have a police department to help ensure that these events do not become chaotic.”
The police department said the decision came after fans packed the streets Thursday night and blocked traffic, threw objects and climbed subway entrances.
“The NYPD will not support more watch parties outside the stadium, but we will continue to review requests to support parties at alternate sites, like Summer Stage,” an NYPD spokesperson said.
Game 4 between the Knicks and Cavs will be held back in New York.
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The New York Knicks fans attend a watch party for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on May 19, 2026, New York, U.S. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)