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NYC subway carried more late-night riders after Knicks title than on New Year's Eve
By
Liam Quigley
Published Jun 22, 2026
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Jeremy Weine/Getty Images
By
Liam Quigley
Published Jun 22, 2026
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The Knicks ran up the score on New York City's transit system after the team won the NBA Finals earlier this month.
Millions flooded streets across the five boroughs on Saturday, June 13 to watch the championship-clinching game — and many stayed out partying all night after the Knicks won. NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow on Monday said the crowds sent overnight ridership “through the roof.”
Crichlow said during an MTA committee hearing the subway system saw 3.16 million riders the day of the win, about 15% higher than a typical Saturday in June. And from midnight through 5 a.m. the following morning, the system clocked about 329,000 riders — about 18% more than the 268,000 it typically sees during the same window after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Crichlow took the opportunity to flex on San Antonio — the Spurs only managed to win one game against the Knicks in the best-of-seven championship series.
"I think there's a stronger than fair chance that we had more people at the [Knicks] watch parties in Manhattan than the entire population of San Antonio," he said.
The MTA boss credited transit workers with keeping people moving as the celebrations culminated in last week’s ticker tape parade.
“It's just a legendary, legendary time,” he said. “While the rest of the city is experiencing this euphoric high, transit, the 24/7 workforce, has to continue to deliver under some very challenging circumstances.”
Crichlow expected to see more ridership bumps as the city continues to host World Cup fans this summer. He noted the MTA is adding more C train service to connect riders heading to New Jersey, while 7 and F train service will be bolstered with more trains for fans heading to watch parties around the city.
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new york city
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Liam Quigley
Liam Quigley is a reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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