New York Liberty ticker-tape parade celebrates historic WNBA victory: How to stream it live

The newly crowned WNBA champions are going to be honored by their hometown. On Sunday, Mayor Eric Adams announced that a ticker-tape parade celebrating the New York Liberty will take place on Thursday, October 24, at 10 a.m. ET. The team fought hard to secure this historic win. Let’s talk about the details, including how you can watch the Parade of Champions.

The rising popularity of the WNBA

2024 has been a transformative year for the WNBA. More than 54 million viewers tuned in to watch the games on television. In-person attendance at games shot up 48%. Last season, tickets to 45 games sold out compared to this year’s 154 sellouts. Merchandise sales online and at the flagship store in New York City increased by 601%.

One of the reasons for the increased interest in the league this season was its all-star class of rookies. Caitlin Clark was the first overall draft pick of the Indiana Fever. Angel Reese joined the Chicago Sky. Even before these players came onto the scene, there was a boost in financial investment in the league and a culture shift valuing women’s sports.

Why is NY Liberty’s win historic?

This is the franchise’s first championship, although it has competed in the finals many times.

The series followed a best-of-five-games format with the Minnesota Lynx winning Games 1 and 3. In Game 5, Lynx star Napheesa Collier gave her all, scoring 22 points before ultimately fouling out in overtime. Veteran Lynx guard Kayla McBride scored 21 points and racked up five rebounds, five assists, and four steals.

Despite the Lynx’s best efforts, Liberty won 67-62 in overtime. Liberty forward Leonie Fiebich got the extra five minutes off to a great start by sinking a three-pointer. Liberty center Nyara Sabally followed suit by stealing the ball and nailing a layup. And star forward Breanna Stewart sealed the win by sinking two free throws.

What is the parade route?

The ticker-tape parade will travel the Canyon of Heroes in Lower Manhattan. The action takes place on a segment of Broadway beginning at the Battery and concluding at City Hall. (You can find a map of the parade route on the Liberty website.)

The New York Liberty is only the second women’s sports team to receive this special honor. In 2019, the U.S. women’s soccer team was celebrated for winning the World Cup.Beyond the parade, five buildings will be illuminated in one of the team’s colors, seafoam green. New York City Hall, Brooklyn Borough Hall, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building, Queens Borough Hall, and Staten Island Borough Hall will all proudly show their team spirit.

How can I watch or stream the parade live?

The parade is free and open for everyone to view in person. Arrive early to get a good spot. While the parade is open, you will need to secure a ticket for the City Hall celebration immediately following. You will also need a ticket for the Barclays Center celebration later in the evening. Get those here.

If you can’t catch the parade in person, you can livestream it on the websites of ABC7 New York and CBS News New York. Local channels such as Fox 5 New York will also cover the event live. Finally, we’ve embedded Fox 5’s YouTube channel below for easy viewing.