It’s a big day for New York as the New York Liberty have brought home their first-ever WNBA Championship. Although we could see the emotions flow on the court itself, the celebrations have only just begun. NY is set for a championship parade after 12 years. 

Since the last one for the New York Giants, a decade and some major changes have passed, but one thing that remains the same is the excitement of the New Yorkers. After all, this victory was no small feat. The team fought through it all and delivered when it mattered the most. Now, their home state is ready to honor them as they deserve.

All about the New York Liberty championship parade: Dates, times, and celebrations

The ticker-tape parade is going to take place on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at 10 a.m. ET. Starting from lower Manhattan, it’ll run through the famous ‘Canyon of Heroes’ with ending at City Hall. 

It’s the same historic route used for the biggest championship celebrations. Throughout the way, the women’s basketball team will be showered with cheers, and obviously, tons of shredded paper. The ticker tape parade is New York’s tradition to celebrate their champion. 

As the free and open-to-public parade ends at City Hall, a special ceremony will be held there. However, this will be ticketed. So, not everyone will get a seat, but the ones who’ll manage to, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience. 

But it doesn’t end here; in the evening, from 7-10 pm ET, a championship celebration is being organized at Barclays Center, Brooklyn. It is going to be special as it is the same court where they snagged the title. 

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the big event, saying, “You made us proud, and we’re going to make you proud.” Even though the parade’s set for 10 a.m. on a workday, it’s safe to say that the New Yorkers are going to find a way to show up for the team that finally ended the championship drought.

In case someone fails to make it in person, no worries as the parade will be broadcast live, with coverage starting at 9:30 a.m. ET. On top of that, some of the city’s most iconic buildings will be painted in the Liberty’s signature seafoam green on the night before the parade. 

It includes City Hall, Brooklyn Borough Hall, The David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, Queens Borough Hall, and Staten Island Borough Hall. But do you know? Not only is this the first one after more than a decade, but this will also be the first one for a women’s professional sports team. NY Liberty has truly created the history- on and off the court. 

Championship parade after 12 long years

The last time New York hosted a parade was 12 years back for the New York Giants in 2012, after winning the Super Bowl. The Giants pulled off one of the greatest upsets in Super Bowl history, taking down Tom Brady and the Patriots with the famous “helmet catch.” 

And let’s not forget the US Women’s National Soccer Team. They brought home the World Cup in 2019. But this time, it’s all about the WNBA, a New York sports team made up entirely of women. But what makes this parade even sweeter is that the Liberty have been knocking on the door of this win for years. 

They were really close to clinching it last year but lost the Finals to Las Vegas Aces. Undoubtedly, the heartbreak fired them up, and they took the league by storm this year. They ended the season with an overtime 67-62 victory in Game 5 against the Minnesota Lynx.

The team managed to dominate throughout the season but the Finals did put them under pressure. Even in the Final game’s first half, things looked bleak for the New Yorkers. But then, an unexpected hero, Nyara Sabally, stepped up and turned the game around. 

The crowd at Barclays Center cheered loud. By the way, it wasn’t just any crowd. Legends like Sue Bird and Teresa Weatherspoon were there to witness the historic win. From Jonquel Jones hugging Breanna Stewart in tears after the win to Weatherspoon feeling overwhelmed, it was surreal. 

“When I hugged Stewie, I was just sobbing in her ear. I did not say one word, I was just crying the whole time,” the 2024 Final MVP said. “Just so happy to be able to win and to do it with her. We talked about it so much. Coming together and what we envisioned, what we wanted to do in New York, and what we could do.”

“To be able to pull it off and accomplish a dream, and it’s so freaking hard to do, it just means a lot,” she added. It was a moment for the books, and the parade is sure to be just as iconic.

The NY is about to party in true New York fashion. So, mark your calendars, and if you’re around on Thursday, make sure you grab a spot along the parade route because this is a moment you don’t want to miss.