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Philadelphia, USA, 2026 World Cup City Guide
Everything you need to know about visiting Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup đź””
✒️ By the worldcup-travel.com team | 📅 Updated 12 June 2025
Ready to plan all your Philadelphia 2026 World Cup travel? We’re here to sort you out. We provide all the information you’ll need about transportation to and from the city, between host cities, as well as to and from Lincoln Financial Field (which is officially called “Philadelphia Stadium” by FIFA). From booking accommodation, renting a car, or using public transportation in and around the city, we’ll help you figure it all out.
Learn more about visiting Philadelphia for the World Cup
Philadelphia, PA: A sports city raring to go
Philadelphia goes hard for its sports – like ride or die hard. The city known for famously rowdy fans bleeds green for its hometown NFL team The Eagles. Here, game days are electric. Excitement for soccer is also gaining traction in Philadelphia, with MLS team The Union in nearby Chester having built a strong following and With the 2026 World Cup taking place at Lincoln Financial Field (which FIFA has named Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament), the city’s enthusiasm for soccer is about to go through the roof.
The NFL and MLS are not the only games in town: The NBA’s 76ers have a deep fanbase and the Philadelphia Phillies are one of the oldest teams in the MLB. In hockey, the Philadelphia Flyers are known for some gritty games, with fans to match. In the city of brotherly love, sport fans are fiercely loyal, even through rough seasons.
Sports aside, Philadelphia is famous for being the literal birthplace of America. The Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed at Independence Hall in historic Downtown, and history buffs can also visit the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross House, and monuments of the Revolutionary War in Old City.
When you are done with your sightseeing, it is time to enjoy a cheesesteak sandwich – maybe even two, back-to-back, so you can engage in the great Pat’s vs. Geno’s debate. Why? Because in Philly, the cheesesteak is not just food, it’s culture.
Philadelphia 2026 World Cup FAQs
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Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Stadium) is about five miles south of downtown Philadelphia, also known as Center City.
It is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, a 10-15 minute drive along I-95 and I-76, near the Navy Yard.
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Major League Soccer (MLS): Philadelphia Union.
Philadelphia Lone Star FC plays in the UPSL pro-development league and were originally set up by Liberian Americans, which explains why they are named after the Liberian national team. There could be wild scenes in Philly if Liberia make it to the 2026 World Cup.
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New York New Jersey (96 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Boston (303 miles stadium-to-stadium)
Toronto (479 miles stadium-to-stadium)
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Six 2026 World Cup games in total will be played in Philadelphia: Five group stage games, and one Round of 16 (on July 4th – USA’s Independence Day!)
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In June and July, Philadelphia gets that true East Coast summer feel – warm, sometimes hot, and humid.
Average highs are in the low to mid-80s°F (27–29°C). Night temps drop to around the 60s°F (16–20°C). July is the hottest month of the year in Philly, and highs often hit the upper 80s°F (30–32°C), sometimes spiking into the 90s°F (33+°C) during heat waves. It gets humid, so it can feel hotter than it actually is.
Which 2026 World Cup matches will be held in Philadelphia?
Match 9 – Sunday, June 14, 2026 – Group Stage (Group E)
Match 29 – Friday, June 19, 2026 – Group Stage (Group C)
Match 43 – Monday, June 22, 2026 – Group Stage (Group I)
Match 57 – Thursday, June 25, 2026 – Group Stage (Group E)
Match 70 – Saturday, June 27, 2026 – Group Stage (Group L)
Match 92 – Saturday, July 4, 2026 – Round of 16 (Knockout stage)
Fan-Fueled Adventures in Philly
We spoke to football-loving locals to get their take on the 2026 World Cup host cities they call home. Jo Piazza is an writer, journalist and podcaster who lives in Philadelphia. She is the author of Everyone Is Lying To You and The Sicilian Inheritance. Jo says:
Above: Jo and family watching the Phillies game. Photo courtesy of Jo Piazza.
Philadelphia is a BIG sports city. Like, really big. Even though you’re in town for soccer, brush up a bit on baseball, American football, basketball and hockey. Know your Phillies, Eagles, Sixers and Flyers. Get to know Gritty and the Philly Phanatic - our bizarre and highly charismatic mascots. Yes, Philly also has a soccer team, the Union. Although soccer is gaining in popularity, it remains a distant 5th in popularity. Be that as it may, the city will be rolling out the red carpet for the World Cup like no other city can. You will be welcomed with enthusiasm and great interest. Expect a lot of questions about soccer and whatever country you hail from.
Summer is time to be outside in Philadelphia. I suggest you stay downtown (what we call “center city”). If you’re near Rittenhouse Square, it’s a great place for a family walk, brimming with restaurants and markets. Young kids will love Sister Cities Park at Logan Circle, a 15-minute walk north of Rittenhouse. It’s a great place to beat the heat with water features and a natural playground. The Franklin Institute and Academy of Sciences are across the street for kid-friendly education, and, of course, air conditioning on a hot day. Take a walk to a local park for “Parks on Tap” - a family friendly roving beer garden that pops up at various locations and for a change of sports, or catch a Phillies baseball game - the season will be in full swing during the Cup and there’s a good chance a home game will match with your visit.
Visiting Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup
Philly’s a fantastic host city, but like any major event in a big metropolitan area, the 2026 World Cup will come with its own set of challenges for fans. Philadelphia already sees congestion during rush hour, and the Sports Complex in South Philly can get wild on game days. Add 2026 World Cup crowds, tourists unfamiliar with the city, and possible road closures or increased security, and boom: gridlock. Public transit will be packed, especially the Broad Street Line to the stadium. Parking near Lincoln Financial Field will be limited and expensive. Hotel rooms will fill up fast, especially in Center City and South Philly. So you’ll definitely want to check out our Philadelphia World Cup Transport page for more details.
That said, Philly loves to host and knows how to put on a party. The city will likely ramp up resources, transit support, and hospitality services to make 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia an awesome experience.
Doing Philly like a local
Locals in Philly have a strong sense of pride in their city, and they know how to enjoy it. Philly’s food scene is so much more than cheesesteaks. Locals love their roast pork sandwiches (shoutout to DiNic’s or John’s Roast Pork), BYOB restaurants scattered through neighborhoods like South Philly and Fishtown, and hitting up Reading Terminal Market for anything from Amish pretzels to soul food.
If the weather permits, Rittenhouse Square is a go-to spot for reading, people-watching, or picnicking. Spruce Street Harbor Park in the summer is full of hammocks, food stalls, and beer gardens. Fairmount Park is massive and great for walks, biking, or just some peace and quiet. Philly’s got that down-to-earth, “enjoy the little things” energy. People take pride in their neighborhoods, their favorite bar, and their local pizza spot. You don’t need to do fancy things to live like a true Philadelphian – you just need good food, strong opinions, and maybe a soft pretzel in your hand.
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