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What to know for Knicks' ticker-tape parade, which could be largest ever for NYC
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 16, 2026
Modified Jun 17, 2026
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Photo by Wu Xiaoling/Xinhua via Getty Images
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Published Jun 16, 2026
Modified Jun 17, 2026
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Knicks fans who don't want the celebrating to end are in luck as New York City hosts the team's first ticker-tape parade along Lower Manhattan’s “Canyon of Heroes” on Thursday.
The only-in-New York parade tradition originated in the 19th century, when ticker machines recorded stock prices on 1-inch-wide pieces of paper at brokerage firms throughout the Financial District. Workers at the firms realized that throwing the scrap paper down from their windows created a whimsical effect as parades proliferated along the route – to celebrate wars ending, political victories or the completion of projects like the Brooklyn Bridge.
The celebrations have since evolved to honor championship-winning sports teams, including 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.
This will be the Knicks’ first since the team was founded in the 1940s and it may be one of the biggest ever. The Knicks have never been celebrated with a ticker-tape parade, even though they took home NBA championships in 1970 and 1973. That’s because former Mayor John Lindsay discontinued the tradition in his second term in favor of more informal receptions, The City Reporter noted earlier this week.
But it’s a new era, and Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he’s expecting this parade to be the largest in New York City history, culminating in a ceremony at City Hall to present the Knicks squad with keys to the city.
The city has also launched a dedicated website, nyc.gov/knicks, with parade maps, transportation information and updates for attendees.
An old tradition will continue as well: The city is distributing 2,500 pounds of shredded paper to office buildings along the route for workers to toss out their windows onto the festivities below.
According to the Downtown Alliance, this will be New York City’s 211th ticker-tape parade. Since 1919, the mayor of New York City has decided who gets to have one.
“I think it will be an outpouring of emotion that so many have kept inside for so many years,” Mamdani told WNYC’s Brian Lehrer on Monday. “This Knicks team has given us something that I truly haven’t seen in my entire life.”
Here’s what fans should know:
The parade route
The parade will start at 10 a.m. at Battery Park and will head north along Broadway from Bowling Green to Chambers Street. No ticket is required to watch along the parade route. But given the massive crowds expected, it’s a good idea to get there as early as possible to secure a good spot along the barricades. The procession will wrap up at City Hall Plaza, where the mayor will host a championship ceremony and give the team “Keys to the City.”
How to get there
Several streets in the Financial District and Lower Manhattan will be closed along the route. In fact, starting at 7 a.m., the entire area south of Canal Street between the Hudson and East rivers will be closed to vehicular traffic. So it’s best to take public transportation. The 4 and 5 trains both serve the Bowling Green station, while the R, W and 1 lines stop at South Ferry — just a short walk from the start of the parade.
Fans can also access Lower Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry. The city said ferry service will run every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday — double the normal weekday schedule — to accommodate parade crowds making the round trip.
What can you bring?
All parade attendees will be screened, and no bags are allowed. Also prohibited from viewing areas are glass or metal water bottles (plastic bottles are OK), bicycles, chairs, coolers, pets, strollers and umbrellas. Wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen and make sure to stay hydrated.
New Yorkers can also find updated information about viewing locations, transportation, security measures and parade logistics at nyc.gov/knicks, a new city website launched ahead of Thursday's celebration. The site is also offering a lottery for tickets to the ceremony at City Hall.
What to expect from the weather
Thursday’s weather forecast shows mostly cloudy skies and temperatures in the mid-80s with a 50% chance of showers in the morning, coinciding with Knicks fans' tears of joy.
Class is in session
Mamdani said he can’t cancel school to allow New York City students to attend the parade, which falls on the same day as Regents exams.
But the Children's Museum of Manhattan said it will host a ticker-tape Knicks parade for kids at 4 p.m. Wednesday along 83rd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. Amy Schumer and Jessica Seinfeld will serve as grand marshals.
This story has been updated with new information.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
Brittany Kriegstein
Brittany Kriegstein covers all breaking news around New York City, with a focus on crime and gun violence. Got a tip? Email Brittany at [email protected].
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