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FIFA World Cup 2026 Travel Guide

The countdown is on and there couldn’t be a better destination for a special date in history. All eyes will be on Philadelphia on the Fourth of July in 2026 as one of the FIFA World Cup matches strategically coincides with America’s 250th Birthday celebration.

Lincoln Financial Field — which will temporarily be renamed Philadelphia Stadium — is set to hold six FIFA World Cup games in Philadelphia, including a Round of 16 match on July 4. Game day seating capacity is about 70,000 at the home stadium for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles.

• Sunday, June 14, 2026: Group Stage, Match 9
• Friday, June 19, 2026: Group Stage, Match 29
• Monday, June 22, 2026: Group Stage, Match 42
• Thursday, June 25, 2026: Group Stage, Match 55
• Saturday, June 27, 2026: Group Stage, Match 68
• Saturday, July 4, 2026: Round of 16, Match 89

Exact matchups and kickoff times will be finalized after the FIFA Final Draw in December.

Widely regarded as a sports-besotted town of passionate fans, Philadelphia is home to the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), and the Union (MLS). Championship history is strong, with wins from its teams in the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

Founded in 2008, Philadelphia Union is the pride and joy for avid local soccer fans. Known as “the boys in blue,” the team’s home stadium is Subaru Park on the banks of the Delaware River in suburban Chester, Pennsylvania. Since 2020, NBA star and four-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant has been a minority owner of Philadelphia Union.

Photo: Paparacy/Shutterstock

For those lucky enough to have World Cup tickets, Lincoln Financial Field is in South Philadelphia, about five miles from downtown. The stadium is best accessed via public transit on Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) by taking the Broad Street Line to NRG Station, which is the last stop and right beside the stadium. Here’s a link for maps and directions.

There are multiple bus and trolley routes, making it convenient for visitors from various parts of the city and suburbs. For those driving in, Lincoln Financial Field is easily accessible from I-95 and I-76, although you should pre-book parking to ensure a spot. Shuttle services may be available for guests of select downtown hotels.

Photo: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Imagine the atmosphere of a Brazilian beach or a German town square during a World Cup tournament. In Philadelphia, that’s the inspiration for the official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park. The 46-acre site is now undergoing extensive renovations and upgrades for summer readiness as the fan zone. Between 15,000 to 25,000 people per day are expected to visit the fan zone.

The official tourism bureau, Visit Philadelphia suggests that people without tickets head to Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park for the five-week FIFA World Cup Festival.“Whether it’s your first visit to Philadelphia or your 50th, 2026 is the year to experience our city like never before,” says Angela Val, CEO and president of Visit Philadelphia. “Many will come for the excitement of FIFA and the energy of the crowds, but we hope they’ll stay for our incredible food scene, new exhibitions, and dynamic attractions. There’s always something new to discover — and no better place to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary than right here in the birthplace of American democracy.”

Free to attend, giant screens will show all the World Cup games throughout June and July during the tournament. Aside from the watch zones, the car-free event for fans will also have food vendors, live entertainment, and other activities, plus enhanced access by public transit, shuttles, and bike valets. SEPTA Routes 15, 32, 49, and 7 all stop nearby, with Route 15 running along Girard Avenue and the 49 along Pennsylvania Avenue.

For such a major city (the sixth-largest in the nation), Philadelphia is pedestrian-friendly and quite easy to navigate, particularly without a car. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is only seven miles from downtown Philly. Served by 17 airlines, there are about 500 daily departures to more than 130 nonstop destinations worldwide. The Regional Rail Airport Line connects terminals before taking passengers to Center City Philadelphia in about 20 minutes.

If you’re driving to the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia is restoring the Lemon Hill Mansion parking lot, along with areas on Sedgeley Drive, Poplar Drive, and Lemon Hill Drive. About one-quarter of the US population lives within a six-hour drive of Philadelphia. Philly lies 80 miles southwest of New York City, 95 miles northeast of Baltimore, 120 miles north of Washington DC, and 55 miles west of the New Jersey shore.

Amtrak Philadelphia Train Station is a major downtown landmark that’s also known as 30th Street Station. Serving the Northeast Corridor, major metropolitan connections with Philadelphia are Boston, Providence, Hartford, NYC, DC, and beyond. Alternatively, arrive via long-distance bus service offered by Greyhound Lines or another motorcoach company.

Looking for more travel options or things to do, restaurants, and sightseeing beyond the World Cup action? Make plans, or conveniently change plans, using GuideGeek, a free AI-powered travel assistant to get instant personalized tips via Instagram, Facebook Messenger, or WhatsApp.