The biggest global sporting event is finally about to start, and Philadelphia is going to be a big part of it. The FIFA World Cup, which occurs every four years, will feature 48 teams competing in June and July. This year’s U.S. men’s national team has five players from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and Philadelphia is among 16 host cities across three countries. With the whole world watching Philadelphia, here’s how you can jump on the bandwagon.
How To Watch
Philly is hosting five group stage matches (which do not include the U.S.), and a Round of 16 match on Independence Day (which could include the U.S.). Tickets are still available through FIFA’s official site. You can also try your luck on third-party reseller sites like SeatGeek or Stubhub.
If you’re watching the games from home, English broadcasts of the matches will be on FOX and FS1. You can also stream all matches on the FOX One app and FOXSports.com. The Spanish broadcast will be split between Telemundo and Universo, with all matches streamed on Peacock.
If you have access to none of those or want to watch with others, watch parties will be taking over bars across the city. We’ll continue to share more as the Cup approaches, but here are a few on our radar:
- Brauhaus Schmitz will air matches throughout the entire tournament, opening the bar an hour before kickoff and staying open until 2 a.m. If that isn’t enough, the 700 block of South Street will be closed for five days for outdoor viewing parties.
- Watch matches on one of Lion Sports Bar’s 35 TVs, with sound on. The Chinatown bar lists watch parties by country if you’re looking for a particular country to root for.
- Tir na nÓg promises “nonstop action,” with the Irish pub airing the tournament throughout June and July.
- Fringe Bar will be streaming some matches in its 200+ seat theater, with dates and times to come on its website and social media.
- If you decide to watch the Cup at Libertee Grounds, the restaurant and mini-golf course will provide guests with a passport book to track which matches they watched. Updated menus and hours are to come.
How To Get Hype
While tailgating at the Linc (I’m sorry, I mean “Philadelphia Stadium”) is reserved only for fans with tournament tickets, the lots won’t be the only places to party. For 39 days, Fairmount Park’s Lemon Hill will be the official site for all the fanfare.
Philly is the only host city operating the fan festival for the entire duration of the World Cup. Catch live broadcasts on game days, along with concerts, local vendors, and other family-friendly activities.
Entry is free but tickets are required. Fans can register here for the days they wish to attend.
If you can’t wait until game day, get a taste of the World Cup excitement at a community paint day and block party on May 29. Help paint a new mural commemorating the big event.
How To Get Around
SEPTA will have increased bus and metro service during the tournament and free rides back home from the stadium. Philly PHLASH will offer direct service to the fan festival on its Downtown Loop. Passengers can get off at Stop 9, at Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues. The fare is free for SEPTA pass holders, seniors, and children under four years old. Other riders can pay $5 to ride all day.
🎧 Learn more about how Philly’s preparing for the big event, and whether the city’s actually ready for it, on today’s episode of City Cast Philly.
