Scores of Knicks fans were turned away from Thursday’s Knicks ticker-tape parade after the viewing pens along the Canyon of Heroes filled to capacity more than two hours before the celebration is set to kick off.
“All viewing pens are full,” NYPD officials announced on X at 7:30 a.m. “No one else will be allowed in the viewing area.”
The parade is set to kick off at 10 a.m. and end at City Hall, where the Knicks will be awarded the keys to the city. Fans were encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
A street sign reading “Champions Way” is posted along Broadway known as the “Canyon of Heroes”, ahead of the New York Knicks’ ticker-tape parade, Wednesday in New York. (Yuki Iwamura/AP)
Knicks fans who did manage to grab a spot have been warned if they leave the viewing pens for any reason, they will not be allowed reentry.
More than 10,000 police officers have been assigned to the parade route — the largest NYPD deployment ever for a planned event. On Wednesday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that the crowds expected to cheer on the NBA champs are estimated to be “in the millions.”