The New York Knicks are set to celebrate their long-awaited NBA championship with a historic ticker-tape parade through Lower Manhattan on Thursday.

The celebration comes after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals to secure their first NBA title in 53 years. The victory ended one of the longest championship droughts in professional basketball and sparked celebrations across New York City.

For many Knicks fans, the parade is more than a championship celebration. It is the culmination of decades of heartbreak, near misses and rebuilding seasons that followed the franchise's last title-winning campaign in 1973.

When is the New York Knicks Championship Parade?

According to New York City officials, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, June 18. The event is free and open to the public and no tickets are required to watch the procession along the parade route.

However, fans hoping to secure a good viewing spot have been urged to arrive early due to the expected turnout. Authorities anticipate one of the largest championship celebrations in the city's history.

What is the parade route?

The championship parade will begin near Battery Park before moving north along Broadway through the iconic Canyon of Heroes.

The route will conclude near City Hall, where players, coaches and team officials will take part in a special championship ceremony.

The Canyon of Heroes has hosted some of New York's most famous ticker-tape parades, honoring presidents, astronauts, military heroes and championship-winning sports teams.

Why is this parade historic?

Despite winning NBA championships in 1970 and 1973, the Knicks never received a ticker-tape parade.

This year's celebration will be the first ticker-tape parade in franchise history, making it one of the most significant moments in the team's 80-year existence.

The event is also expected to become one of the largest gatherings of Knicks fans ever recorded.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has described the celebration as a historic moment for New York City after generations of supporters waited for the franchise to return to the top of the NBA.

What happens after the parade?

Following the procession, New York City will host an official championship ceremony at City Hall Plaza.

The ceremony will feature speeches, special presentations and musical performances honoring the Knicks' championship-winning season. Mayor Mamdani is also expected to present Keys to the City to members of the organization.

A limited number of tickets were distributed through a public lottery, with 300 winners receiving two tickets each for the ceremony.

Who could attend the celebration?

The championship-winning roster is expected to headline the event, including Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and several key contributors from the title run.

Former Knicks legends and special guests are also expected to participate in the festivities, according to multiple reports.

How can fans watch from home?

Fans who are unable to attend in person will still be able to watch the celebration live.

Several local television networks, including ABC7, CBS, NBC, FOX 5 and MSG Network, are broadcasting the event, while streaming options are also available for viewers outside New York.

Security measures and travel disruptions

New York City officials have warned attendees to expect heightened security throughout Lower Manhattan.

More than 10,000 police officers have reportedly been assigned to the event as authorities prepare for massive crowds. Road closures, transportation delays and restricted access points are expected throughout the day.

Fans have also been advised to travel light and review the city's list of prohibited items before attending. Viewing areas along parts of the route reached capacity hours before the parade began, highlighting the overwhelming demand to witness the celebration in person.

A championship generations of fans waited to see

For younger Knicks supporters, Thursday's parade represents the first championship celebration of their lifetime.

For older fans, it is the realization of a dream that has remained unfulfilled since the early 1970s.

From Madison Square Garden to the streets of Lower Manhattan, the Knicks' championship has transformed New York into a basketball city once again. Thursday's ticker-tape parade will serve as the official celebration of a title that many fans waited more than half a century to witness.