It’s not the Knicks’ first NBA championship, but it is their first tticker-tape parade. And expect it to be a biggie. How big? Think OG Anunoby tipping in the go-ahead basket over the San Antonio Spurs at the end of Game 4 big.
“It will be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history, where New Yorkers will be able to celebrate a moment that feels like we’ve waited an entire lifetime for. Because when it comes to people my age and a little bit older, we have,” Mayor Mamdani said on Sunday.
And just like the Knicks team had a winning strategy for advancing in each round of the playoffs, faithful fans need an effective game plan for navigating what is expected to be an epic celebration.
So here are some keys to the game:
New Yorkers watch the closing moments of Game 5 of the NBA finals at Harlem Tavern on June 13, 2026. (Jeremy Weine/Getty Images)
What time does the parade tip off?
The procession is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Thursday.
What is the parade route?
The parade will follow the traditional Canyon of Heroes pathway in Lower Manhattan, traveling north along Broadway from Battery Park to City Hall.
What happens after the parade?
Following the parade, Mayor Mamdani will host a civic ceremony at City Hall Plaza to present the team, including Finals MVP Jalen Brunson, with Keys to the City. Others with oversized keys that symbolically unlock New York City include pilot Charles Sullenberger, who safely landed a damaged airplane on the Hudson River in 2009, and designer Ralph Lauren for his philanthropic and economic contributions to the city.
When should fans arrive?
Revelers are advised to arrive at least two hours early, with crowds expected to form as early as dawn near popular viewing spots like Bowling Green or Wall Street.
How do fans get there?
Driving to the basket is encouraged. Driving to Manhattan, not so much. Fans should use mass transit due to extensive street closures. Key subway options include the 4 and 5 lines to Bowling Green for the start of the route and the 2 and 3 lines to Park Place for the City Hall ceremony.
Is Mother Nature a Knicks fan?
According to AccuWeather, the morning will likely be humid with temperatures expected to reach the mid-80s. In the late afternoon or early evening, thunderstorms could roll in.
Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks celebrate after the victory against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of the 2026 NBA Finals. (Ronald Cortes/Getty Images)
What if I want to sit on the bench for this one?
For those unable to attend in person, the celebration will be streamed and broadcast live starting around 9:30 a.m. on a n array of lcoal TV networks, including MSG Network, ABC7 New York, FOX 5, and NBC 4. Streaming: Livestreams will be available on NYC.gov and through services like FuboTV or DirecTV.
How else is the city celebrating?
In addition to City Hall, the following buildings will be illuminated in blue and orange Thursday night in honor of the Knicks: The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building: 1 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007. Brooklyn Borough Hall: 209 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
What can I bring with me?
Pack some patience, sunscreen, water and comfortable shoes. Oh, and plenty of blue and orange. You’ll get hit with a technical foul if you show up with huge backpacks, coolers, folding chairs and alcohol. NYPD security will be tighter than a full-court press.
What do I need to know about the subways?
Stations along Broadway will face temporary entrance and exit closures or heavy bypasses. The City Hall station for the R, N and W lines (at Broadway and Murray Street) will be closed. Trains will also skip that stop. At Fulton Center, the Broadway entrance and exits will be closed during the parade.
What exactly is a ticker-tape parade?
It’s a longstanding New York City tradition that has honored luminaries including astronauts, members of the military, foreign dignitaries, Olympic champs and players from New York sports teams. The first was held in 1886 to dedicate the Statue of Liberty. Other New York winners feted with a parade include the New York Giants after they won the Super Bowl in 2012, the New York Liberty basketball team after they won the WNBA championship in 2024, and Gotham FC for their win in the Women’s National Soccer League championship in 2025.
Where will all the paper come from?
The city is distributing 2,500 pounds of shredded paper to office buildings along the route for workers to shower players and fans outside their windows.
Why haven’t the Knicks ever had a parade?
The 1970 and 1973 championship teams were honored in City Hall ceremonies.