Scranton is set to be center stage when it comes to this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.
SCRANTON, Pa. — Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton will soon be transformed into a party on the pitch for this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The city is one of three across the Commonwealth to be selected as a FIFA Fan Zone.
“We fall into the unique position geographically to be in the footprint of two different host cities. Both the Meadowlands and Philadelphia Soccer hosting their games,” said Curt Camoni, Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau.
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America’s 250th birthday kicks off a flurry of fun in the Electric City, starting with the annual Scranton Spectacular and continuing through the Fourth of July weekend, where the knockout rounds will be on the big screen, all free for families.
“There’s going to be a beer garden set up right here on North Washington Avenue. There’s going to be the ONVO kids zones, where kids are going to be able to test their skills and drills. We’re working with a lot of area youth soccer organizations to help run those camps and clinics,” said Dave Mehall, Times Shamrock.
The fun will continue to the finals on July 18th and 19th, as Scranton itself will also be taking the global stage.
“We’re going to be featured on the broadcast for the World Cup. We’re literally going to bring all the eyes of the world to Scranton, to downtown Scranton, and Lackawanna County,” said Comm. Bill Gaughan, (D) Lackawanna County.
Officials are hoping the excitement extends beyond the matchups as local businesses are looking to cash in on the major crowds.
“We encourage everyone who comes down here to visit all the restaurants downtown. Start here, watch the game, head down Penn, head down Wyoming, find a nice place to eat, we want every restaurant to have an opportunity to really enjoy this over the summer,” said Eileen Cipriani, Scranton business administrator.
The first matchup for the 2026 FIFA World Cup fan zone kicks off on Courthouse Square in Scranton on the Fourth of July at 1 p.m.