Details on event activities, transportation, parking, and more. 

PHILADELPHIA– A celebratory parade honoring the Villanova Men’s Basketball National Championship Team will be held in Center City Philadelphia on Friday, April 8. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at 20th and Market Streets and conclude with a rally at Dilworth Park.  Today, City officials released program and operational details for the parade and rally.

Parade Route & Dilworth Park Rally Details
The parade will begin at 1 p.m., stepping off from 20th & Market Streets and then heading east toward City Hall, concluding at Dilworth Park. The men’s basketball team and coaching staff, as well as Villanova University’s cheerleaders and band will all participate in the parade. Following the parade, the Villanova Men’s Basketball National Championship Team and other university representatives will convene at a rally at Dilworth Park. University President Rev. Peter Donohue, head coach Jay Wright, and members of the men’s basketball team are all scheduled to address the crowd at Dilworth Park.

 

Road Closures
The following roads are scheduled to close beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 8 in connection to the Villanova Championship Parade.

 

  • Market Street – 15th to 23rd Streets
  • 15th Street – JFK Boulevard to Chestnut Street

 

Cross traffic on Market Street, from 16th to 22nd Streets, will be closed prior to the parade step-off and will resume on a rolling basis after the parade passes and streets are cleared.

 

Vehicular traffic in the vicinity of City Hall will be diverted as follows:

 

  • Vehicles traveling north on Broad Street will be required to go eastbound on Chestnut, prior to reaching City Hall.
  • Vehicles traveling west on (East) Market Street around City Hall will be diverted to North Board Street or to JFK Boulevard.
  • Vehicles traveling south on Broad Street towards City Hall will be diverted to JFK Boulevard.
  • Vehicles traveling on I-676 should avoid the 15th Street/Broad Street exits.  Although these ramps will be open, there will be significant congestion at these exits ramps.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and to allow for extra driving time.

Parking Information

City of Philadelphia temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted, and regulations will be enforced strictly. Parking along the parade route will be prohibited, and all vehicles on the route will be towed, beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, April 8 until at least 5 p.m. “No Parking” areas will include:

 

  • Market Street – 15th to 23rd Streets
  • 15th Street – JFK Boulevard to Chestnut Street

 

Paid parking lots and garages are located near the parade route. Spectators can call individual facilities ahead for parking options, prices and availability, or visit the Philadelphia Parking Authority website. Garages along Market Street between 15th and 23rd Streets will be accessible for vehicles exiting the garages; however, there may be delays based on timing and progress of the parade. If possible, vehicles using garages on the parade route should plan to exit prior to 11 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

 

SEPTA Service Details
City officials strongly encourage parade-goers to walk or use public transportation.  SEPTA has made service adjustments for parade-goers who will be traveling to the parade route and attending the festivities.

SEPTA personnel wearing red shirts will be available at Center City and Villanova-area stations to assist travelers before and after the parade. For complete service updates and detours, as well as schedules, station maps and fare information, visit www.septa.org, call 215-580-7800, or follow SEPTA on Twitter at @SEPTA and @SEPTA_Social.

 

Press Credentialing
All members of the working media are required to request Villanova Championship Parade event credentials and obtain approval in advance of the event in order to access the parade route on Market Street and designated media areas at the Dilworth Park rally. To secure press credentials for this event, please contact Lauren Cox in the Office of the City Representative (Lauren.Cox@phila.gov). All members of the press requesting credentials will need to provide their full name, position, contact email and phone number by Thursday, April 7 at 5 p.m. Instructions for credential pick up, parking details for TV vehicles, and other information will be shared upon approval.

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