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City Cast Philly

Siani Colón

Fall is the time to turn your attention to Philly sports. Football season returns Sunday with our two-time Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, facing off against the team from Washington (whatever their name is these days) Meanwhile the Phillies are chasing another Red October while the Philadelphia Union is heating up as we head into the back end of the soccer season. And training camps for the new Sixers and Flyers seasons are just around the corner. If you can’t score tickets to games for all of those teams this season, munch on some wings and throw back some drinks at these local bars and restaurants.

 offers a chill, neighborhood vibe right on South Street. 

 runs Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. If you’re feeling hungry, you can grab more than just fries. Its 

 includes good eats from crispy calamari to cheesesteak spring rolls to short rib tacos.

This Manayunk bar is your source for craft beer and community. At 

, you have 18 different screens to turn your attention to (sound 

of course). This spot also serves brunch on the weekends, so if there’s an early game scheduled, you can always dine in first and then gravitate towards the bar afterwards.

Before you shake your head at this one, hear me out. 

 is almost synonymous with Philly sports, as you can’t go to any stadium in the city without grabbing a bucket of crab fries. If you go to any of its restaurants on a Friday, take advantage of 

. While Chickie’s & Pete’s is in multiple locations, stay close to the explosive energy at the Linc by visiting its huge Packer Avenue location.

If you want to stick to South Philly but not hang right by the stadiums, check out 

. The menu also includes several vegan and gluten-free options (including a gluten-free roll for cheesesteaks).

 also wants to be your destination to hang out throughout the Eagles season. Every Sunday it’ll host an 

 complete with a live DJ, food and drink specials, and sound on. Reservations are recommended for tables, but the bar accepts walk-ins.

 promises family-friendly fun on game day. Located conveniently in Center City, the restaurant and bar plays games on 20 high-definition TVs. If you want to secure your spot, you can already place reservations for the entire Eagles season.

What’s your go-to spot to watch a game in the city? Let us know!

Fave Philly Sports Bars

Favorite Philly Sports Bars

Make one of these bars or restaurants your prime destination to root for Philly’s teams this season.

Your Guide to Philly Sports Bars

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Philadelphia. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Philly Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Marie Albiges

 six years ago, he envisioned a place where cyclists could stop for an espresso, fix a flat tire, grab a cookie, and spend some time talking to the person behind the counter. The small shop is a convenient stop — at least for cyclists and pedestrians — inside 

, just steps from Forbidden Drive and the Orange trail, occupying a historic barn in 

“I wanted a high-impact business with community and with customers who I could have a relationship with,” Daniels said.

It was the perfect place to chat about Philly’s cycling culture and the 

 after 10 years. Daniels, who grew up racing BMX and motocross before moving into road cycling and triathlons, has been riding for nearly four decades. But these days he’s less interested in being at the front of the pack than helping the person at the back — in line with his approach at the shop to slow down and get to know the cycling community.

“I went from literally the tip of the spear trying to win stuff to opening a shop and telling any rider the best place to be is back with me,” Daniels said.

In addition to bike repairs and services, Daniels offers 

 and sells some bikes, accessories and parts. 

 offers a variety of espresso-based hot and cold drinks, baked goods and packaged snacks.

, including a Wednesday gravel ride and Saturday mountain bike ride. Both end back at the shop, where riders get free espresso. Daniels also supports a 

 whose tagline is “create the community you want to be a part of.”

For Daniels, that's the larger appeal of cycling in Philly. “They're the antithesis of a lot of other bike communities or bike cultures in towns in that Philly cyclists are really proud about being cyclists in Philly.”

When Paul Daniels opened PAPERtrail Bike Cafe six years ago, he envisioned a place where cyclists could stop for an espresso, fix a flat tire, grab a cookie, and spend some time talking to the person behind the counter.

PAPERTrail Cafe is Philly cycling's best-kept secret

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe 

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Philly

Keep It Local

 or just looking for a better way to get around town, Philly has no shortage of independent bike shops. Here are four local spots with something for every cyclist, from custom-built bikes to cargo bikes to used gear.

Stephen Bilenky has been building beautiful custom steel bikes in Northeast Philadelphia for over 40 years, and approaches each bike frame as a piece of art. In 2021, the Biden administration commissioned him to create a custom red, white, and blue 

classic roadster for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson

 in 2010 as a way to promote cycling culture.

 the Manayunk Wall and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic inspired him to get a job at Cadence Cycles and eventually own the shop. He’s grown the business over the last 18 years, adding

. I’d recommend renting a gravel bike from the Manayunk location and hopping on the 

Specializing in transportation and cargo bikes, Transport Cycles caters to the urban cyclist. If you’re looking for a compact, foldable bike to get around Philly, this is the place to go. (

!) With electric assist options available, the full-service shop also does 

 Its East Passyunk location is housed within the 

Head up the stairs (maybe practice hoisting that bike on your shoulder) to the second floor of this old firehouse in West Philly for Firehouse Bicycles. This neighborhood shop offers new and used bikes as well as tools, bike parts, and 

Whether you’re training for the Philadelphia Cycling Classic or just looking for a better way to get around town, Philly has no shortage of independent bike shops worth knowing. Here are four local spots with something for every cyclist, from custom-built bikes to cargo bikes and used gear.

Where to Shop For Your Next Philly Bike Ride

Abby Fritz

MLB has taken over Philly with events and celebrations leading up to the 2026 All-Star Game tomorrow at Citizens Bank Park. Six Phillies will represent our city at the game, which hasn't been held here since 1996.

While the July 14 game headlines the week of events, tonight you can see (arguably) the most exciting All-Star week happening: the Home Run Derby, which will feature Phillies Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Considering our stadium is among the most 

, it's sure to be an out-of-the-park night. So in advance of the derby at 8 p.m., here's how the Phillies have done in the years since the annual competition started in 1985.

. Ryan Howard, who spent his entire career with the Phillies as a first baseman, made three appearances.

Two Phillies have won the competition. The first was in 2005; Bobby Abreu hit 41 home runs, setting a record at the time. One homer went 517 feet, which remains one of

 the longest home runs in the derby's history

. The next year, Ryan Howard hit 23 homers at Pittsburgh's PNC Park to take home the title.

This will be the second time Philly has hosted the derby; the last was in 1996. No Phillies participated in the competition at Veterans Stadium that ended with Barry Bonds of the Giants beating the Athletics' Mark McGwire. 

The stands were not full, and the event wasn’t even held in prime time.

. He was on the Nationals when he won in 2018, beating out Kyle Schwarber, who was then on the Cubs. Now teammates, Harper and Schwarber will face off against each other in the eight-player competition this year. Harper announced last week he'd be joining the lineup with a social media post captioned:

, but Schwarber has hit more dingers than Harper has so far this season.

A few changes are coming to this year's derby, which will be live-streamed on Netflix. Instead of timed rounds, the competitors will have a limited number of swings. There will be 20 in the first round and 15 in the second and final rounds. But if a player hits a homer on the last swing, they can keep swinging until they don't hit another. The top four players advance to the second round, and the final round will be a head-to-head battle. Ties in the first round will be determined by distance. If a tie occurs in the second or final round, a three-swing swing-off will break it.

Philly brings the heat to the annual MLB power-hitter competition.

The Phillies' History of Hit It Out of the Park at the Home Run Derby

Phillies' Home Run Derby History

People, places, and scenes from Philadelphia's past.

Philly History

As a city of fighters, it makes sense that boxers are elevated to the top of many Philadelphians’ collective memories and imaginations. And Smokin’ Joe Frazier stands out as one of the most legendary.

, he helped to inspire the character Rocky Balboa from the iconic “Rocky” movies, and always championed Philadelphia, the city that helped make him a boxer.

Joe Frazier was born in 1944 in South Carolina, the 

. His parents were sharecroppers in the small coastal town of Beaufort, and 

on the family television. Frazier showed early talent for the sport. He was just 10 years old when his uncle 

predicted he would be a heavyweight champion one day

, pushing him to practice punching on a burlap bag filled with rocks and fruit.

Frazier dropped out of school at 13, and two years later he moved to New York City to live with his brother. Employment was scarce, so he stole cars to make money. 

This was not the life he had envisioned for himself

, so his eyes turned towards Philadelphia. 

and needing to support his wife, Florence, he found a job at a slaughterhouse in the City of Brotherly Love where he aimed to continue his boxing journey. He punched sides of beef at his workplace and jogged along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and up the Art Museum steps (yes, Rocky took these moves for the movies).

Frazier didn’t actually enter a boxing ring until 1961, 

when trainer Yank Durham recruited him at a gym

 where he worked out. Durham also eventually became his manager, praising Frazier’s determination and sheer power, saying, “

Okay Joe, let’s see them gloves smoke,”

 giving the boxer his nickname, Smokin’ Joe Frazier.

Frazier started fighting competitively and became one of the best amateur heavyweight boxers in the country. 

until a match in the 1964 Olympic trials. He nonetheless went to the Olympic games in Tokyo that year as an alternate; Buster Mathis, who had defeated Frazier in the trials, broke a knuckle while practicing and couldn’t box, so 

Frazier stepped in and won the gold medal

Frazier’s left hook became legendary, despite a childhood injury 

 that made his left arm crooked with restricted motion.

In 1965 he went pro and had a stellar 11-0 record. By 1968 he was heavyweight champion, and held that title 

 (who also lived in Philly for some time) struck up a rivalry that resulted in three famous matches, 

After Frazier retired in 1976, he opened a boxing gym in 

 to connect with young people and teach them the sport. He even 

 from cancer at the age of 67 in Philadelphia.

It wasn’t until after his death in 2015 that the sports legend was honored with a 

that was located at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex until it was moved this month to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.

Smokin’ Joe Frazier made history as a heavyweight champion 

 The Story of Philly Boxer Joe Frazier  

Joe Frazier Is Philly's Real-Life Boxing King 

Philadelphia’s connection to soccer can be traced back to the late 19th century, when the sport was introduced by 

European immigrants laboring in factories in Fishtown

, Kensington, and other surrounding neighborhoods. Early teams were associated with the players’ neighborhoods, ethnicities, or athletic clubs — such as 

The nation’s first shot at establishing a professional soccer league in the U.S. began in 1894. And it’s all thanks to the sport most associated with America: baseball.

 in England, allowing players to profit from their work rather than play for the love of the game, players began ditching friendlies for higher-paying matches. In response, England’s Football League founder William McGregor created a league competition that would guarantee a specific number of home and away games for member clubs. There are claims that McGregor took inspiration from 

. The system was adopted, marking the sport's transition into a professional business.

Witnessing the success of soccer leagues abroad and the sport’s growth in the States, 

 owners saw a new way to make money during baseball's offseason.

Owners of baseball teams in Philadelphia, Boston, New York, Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., established the American League of Professional Football in 1894. The soccer teams would take the names of their baseball counterparts. The group 

selected Phillies manager Arthur Irwin as the ALPF’s president

, and he also coached the soccer version of the Phillies. The inaugural game was 

Not everyone was happy with this, namely the American Football Association (AFA), the first organizing soccer body in the U.S., which attempted to standardize the sport's procedures. It 

 in AFA-sanctioned matches as the AFA favored amateurism over professionalism. Attendance was slim, likely because games were scheduled on weekday afternoons. The owners soon 

when rumors swirled of a rival upstart baseball league forming in the Midwest.

The ALPF lasted only one season, with Philadelphia 

The short-lived team was an effort to fill baseball stadiums during the offseason. 


The Origins of One of Philly’s Earliest Soccer Teams

How the Phillies Helped Found the Nation’s First Professional Soccer League

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.

 (which do not include the U.S.), and a Round of 16 match on Independence Day (which 

 include the U.S.). Tickets are still available through 

. You can also try your luck on third-party reseller sites like 

If you’re watching the games from home, English broadcasts of the matches will be on 

. You can also stream all matches on the FOX One app and 

. The Spanish broadcast will be split between 

 and Universo, with all matches streamed on 

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:

 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.

. The Chinatown bar lists watch parties by country if you’re looking for a particular country to root for.

 promises “nonstop action,” with the Irish pub airing the tournament throughout June and July.

 will be streaming some matches in its 200+ seat theater, with dates and times to come on its website and social media.

, 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.

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 

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 

If you can’t wait until game day, get a taste of the World Cup excitement at a 

 on May 29. Help paint a new mural commemorating the big event.

 during the tournament and free rides back home from the stadium. 

 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 

Philadelphia is gearing up for the big sporting event this June. Here’s how you can be a part of it.

Your Guide to the 2026 World Cup in Philly

What To Know About the FIFA World Cup in Philly

What Philadelphians have been wondering. We break down why things in Philadelphia are the way they are and how they work.

Philly, Explained

Philly is a sports town, and that includes golf. Its history runs deep, producing top athletes like 

, the first American-born golfer to win the U.S. Open, and 

, the first Black golfer to win a PGA Tour event. Philly’s also home to the 

 in U.S. courses since 2020, a 21% increase, the sport’s popularity isn’t slowing down. In the Philadelphia area, amateur and professional golfers alike can choose from several local ranges and courses to play a round. Here’s where to golf in Philly, whether it’s your first or 100th time picking up a club.

’s range features 63 stalls to show off that swing. Need lessons before you start the game? 

 from local teaching professionals on-site. If you need something easier for the kiddos, the center is also home to an 18-hole mini golf course. The center is open daily. Clubs are available for rent.

 to allow men and women of all ethnicities to play. The site reopened in 2025 as a new and improved hub for golf and STEM education. Golfers can play on a 68-bay driving range and 

. Additional courses are expected to reopen in 2027 and 2028.

. Open to the public daily from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., reservations are only required on weekends and holidays.

 is located right in East Fairmount Park. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., prices start as low as $5 for a bucket of 25 golf balls. Golf clubs are complimentary to use on-site if you don’t own a pair. Lessons are also available.

. The club also has simulators, a practice facility, and a pro shop to stock up on golfing necessities. Players are required to bring their own set of clubs (rentals are available) and wear proper golfing attire. Want to become a regular? Walnut Lane offers different membership tiers.

 on today’s episode of City Cast Philly.

Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, test out your skills at these local golf ranges and courses. 

Where To Golf in Philly

Find the best of everything that Philadelphia has to offer.

Philly’s Best

Philly's Best

Philly takes center stage next year. The birthplace of American democracy is celebrating 250 years since the country’s founding with festivals, special exhibits and sports, as some of the world’s biggest athletic competitions are coming to town.

Already on view at the Museum of the American Revolution, is "

," which explores the complex history and legacy of the Declaration of Independence. The exhibition spans 250 years dissecting the impact of the document and America’s founding.

 growing and fans are eager for the arrival of our own WNBA team in 2030. While we impatiently wait, get a taste of what to expect with 

. The three-on-three league features the biggest names in women’s basketball, showcasing WNBA players during the offseason. Unrivaled tips off in Philly on 

The theme for this year's Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Philadelphia Flower Show, the 

oldest and largest indoor flower show in the world

From the most-watched global sporting event to the celebration of our nation’s founding, Philly is in the spotlight in 2026.

sports

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe

Where to Shop For Your Next Philly Bike Ride

Latest articles

Watch Your Favorite Philly Sports at These Bars This Fall

A Pit Stop at PAPERTrail Bike Cafe

Where to Shop For Your Next Philly Bike Ride

Phillies' Home Run Derby History

Joe Frazier Is Philly's Real-Life Boxing King

How the Phillies Helped Found the Nation’s First Professional Soccer League

What To Know About the FIFA World Cup in Philly

Latest articles

Phillies' Home Run Derby History

Joe Frazier Is Philly's Real-Life Boxing King

How the Phillies Helped Found the Nation’s First Professional Soccer League

What To Know About the FIFA World Cup in Philly

Where To Golf in Philly

Everything To Look Forward to in Philly in 2026

How To Prepare for Red October 2025