The Knicks celebrate their title. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Millions of New Yorkers are expected to line the streets on Thursday for a heavily guarded victory parade celebrating the city’s NBA champion, the New York Knicks.

The city erupted in jubilation on Saturday after the Knicks ended a 53-year title drought by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in Texas to clinch the NBA Finals.

New York Police Department officials said 10,000 officers, the largest deployment for any planned event in the department’s history, will be on duty during the parade. The security operation will also include heavy weapons and explosives units.

The parade, which begins at 1400 GMT, will follow the traditional “Canyon of Heroes” route from Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan to City Hall, spanning 10 blocks. Spectators do not need tickets but must undergo security screening, with strict restrictions on items allowed into the viewing areas.

The championship squad will be showered with 2,500 pounds (1.1 tonnes) of recycled confetti during the procession.

At the conclusion of the parade, New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani will present the team with the Keys to the City at a ceremony outside City Hall.

“From packed watch parties in our parks to joyous celebrations that spilled out onto our streets, this championship belongs to New York City,” Mamdani said.

To make the ceremony more accessible, the mayor has allocated 600 free tickets for City Hall to members of the public rather than limiting attendance to invited guests.

“The Knicks brought together New Yorkers from every borough and every walk of life. That’s why we’re making these tickets free and accessible, so working-class people have a chance to be part of this historic moment and celebrate the team that brought a championship home,” Mamdani added.

Team owner James Dolan said the City Hall celebration would feature appearances by Knicks legends, current players, the Knicks City Dancers and several marching bands. Grammy-winning singer Alicia Keys is also set to perform “Empire State of Mind,” her iconic 2009 collaboration with Jay-Z.

New York’s famed ticker-tape parades date back to the late 19th century, with the first such celebration held to mark the dedication of the Statue of Liberty.

The celebrations are expected to add to congestion in Manhattan, which is already hosting football fans attending the FIFA World Cup, with multiple street closures in place from Wednesday evening.

Published on Jun 18, 2026