Thousands Of Knicks Fans Being Shut Out Of Championship Parade
The New York Knicks are being paraded down the streets of the Big Apple this Thursday to celebrate their first championship since 1973.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced earlier this week that fans would get to see the Knicks march through the Canyon of Heroes. The parade will conclude with each member of the team receiving a key to the city.
"It will be the first ticker-tape parade in Knicks history, where New Yorkers will be able to celebrate a moment that has feels like we've waited an entire lifetime for because when it comes to people my age and a little bit older, we have," Mamdani said. "There have been so many heartbreaks, so many near misses, so many years, every year where we've told ourselves it's the year and for it to actually happen now, there's nothing more we can ask for as New Yorkers."
The parade didn't officially start until 10 a.m. local time, but fans showed up to the event as early as 3 a.m. in order to secure a viewing spot.
Unfortunately for a plethora of Knicks fans, they were shut out from attending the event.
"I don't understand how the 'greatest city in the world,' one that is 469 square miles in size, could not figure out how to have a parade that all Knicks fans could attend attend and enjoy," one person wrote on X. "It's embarrassing for NYC and for Mamdani. and I feel bad for the fans who got shut out."
"They should have definitely extended the parade route for sure," a second person commented.
"New York loves its "Canyon of Heroes". But it might be time to move these parades to a larger area, with a much longer parade route. Hundreds of thousands of fans getting shut out They're choosing tradition over practicality," another person said.
"The Knicks haven't won a title in 53 years, the entire city of New York has been waiting half a century for this morning," a social media user wrote. "Of course it's packed out hours before it even starts. This is going to be the most chaotic, legendary parade in sports history. Outside is completely shut down."
NYC prioritizing safety over records.
Roughly two hours before the parade even started, the New York Police Department announced that viewing pens were fully occupied. As a result, people were turned away from this ticker-tape parade.
The NYPD made it known from yesterday that people needed to show up early if they wanted to get in.
"We want everyone to be safe and enjoy this historic moment," the NYPD said. "Everyone attending the parade will be screened. No bags will be allowed. Pens will open at 6am. We encourage attendees to be there early.
Hopefully, every Knicks fan gets to enjoy this parade in some capacity.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 7:48 AM.