ArtsQuest will air FIFA World Cup broadcasts at the SteelStacks campus in Bethlehem this summer while also hosting events celebrating soccer and its local heritage.
The organization announced Thursday that the campus will transform as part of SoccerFest, a monthlong celebration of FIFA World Cup 2026, which runs from June 11 through July 19. The event continues a tradition that ArtsQuest has followed since 2014. Every match will be broadcast through Fox Sports on large screens across the campus, which the organization said will allow for an “immersive viewing experience.”
SoccerFest will also include cultural events, live music and global cuisine that reflect the spirit of the World Cup, according to a news release.
Important dates include June 12, 19, 25 and July 4, when celebration will honor America’s 250th anniversary, according to the release.
“SoccerFest is about more than watching matches — it’s about bringing people together through a shared global experience right here in Bethlehem,” Curt Mosel, ArtsQuest’s chief operating officer said in the release. “From the energy of the FIFA World Cup 26 to Bethlehem’s role in shaping American soccer, this festival reflects who we are as a region — a place where culture, history and community come together to celebrate the world’s game.”
There will be a special exhibit at the Bethlehem Visitor Center that will highlight the history of the Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club, which was an “American soccer powerhouse” from 1907 until 1930, the organization said. Local historian Dan Morrison will deliver two talks on the team and the history of soccer in the region at noon and 3 p.m. June 20.
SoccerFest will also have clinics led by various regional soccer coaches and other programs for young athletes, according to the release.
New and gently used soccer equipment will also be accepted for donations at the SteelStacks and Lou Ramos Center in Allentown to benefit the Allentown School District elementary athletic league.
More information on SoccerFest can be found at artsquest.org/festivals/more-festivals-and-experiences/soccer/.