NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – Metro-North has added trains Thursday morning throughout Connecticut for Knicks fans heading to a ticker-tape parade in New York City.
The rail service said passengers need to give themselves extra time because crowds inside train stations are likely going to be massive.
Alcohol is not allowed anywhere on the Metro-North system from 5 a.m. Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday.
Fans were expected to start boarding at Union Station in New Haven between 6:30 and 8 a.m. Union Station is decorated with banners congratulating Knicks fans.
Viewing pens full
The NYPD said all viewing pens are full and no one else will be allowed in the viewing area.
Once attendees enter the viewing pens, they will not be allowed to leave. Anyone who leaves will not be allowed reentry.
KNICKS PARADE UPDATE:
All viewing pens are full. No one else will be allowed in the viewing area.
As a reminder, if you leave the viewing pens, you will not be allowed reentry.
There are no trains stopping south of Canal St in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/HDzR8l4Azb
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 18, 2026
There are no trains stopping south of Canal Street in Manhattan.
The parade
The parade will celebrate the Knicks’ first NBA championship title in five decades.
The festivities are expected to begin at 10 a.m. near Battery Park and travel about one mile north along Broadway through the Canyon of Heroes.
The parade will conclude at Broadway and Chambers Street, next to City Hall, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to present the team with keys to the city.
What you can bring
Officials are urging attendees to travel light to ensure smooth trips and quick security screenings near the parade route.
Items permitted at the celebration include Knicks gear and team apparel, fully charged cellphones, portable power banks, snacks in plastic bags and water in plastic bottles.
Security personnel and transit officials are prohibiting several items.
Spectators may not bring alcohol, large backpacks, oversized luggage, coolers or glass containers.
Folding chairs and strollers are also banned to prevent the obstruction of crowds, and weapons of any kind are prohibited.
Bags and umbrellas are not allowed.
How to get there
Because extensive street closures will make driving into Lower Manhattan difficult, officials highly discourage driving and recommend mass transit.
Commuters traveling from Connecticut should take the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line toward Grand Central Terminal. Passengers are advised to buy round-trip tickets in advance using the TrainTime app to avoid long lines at station kiosks.
From Grand Central Terminal, commuters can access the parade route via the New York City subway by using contactless payment or a MetroCard.
To reach the start of the parade at Battery Park, riders can take the downtown 4 or 5 train to Bowling Green or Wall Street.
To reach the end of the parade at City Hall, riders can take the downtown 4 or 5 train to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, or the downtown 6 train to Chambers Street.
Channel 3 News will have coverage throughout the day.
Refresh page for updates.
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