Bethlehem, Pa. – SoccerFest, ArtsQuest’s monthlong celebration of the FIFA World Cup™ 2026, drew approximately 39,000 fans to the SteelStacks between June and July.
The event took place from June 11 to July 19, including live watch parties of all 104 matches, youth programming, live music, cultural festivals, family activities, historical exhibits, and artistic experiences.
ArtsQuest has announced that the event drew more than 38,600 fans to SteelStacks.
According to the organization, SoccerFest builds on a tradition of World Cup watch parties that date back to 2014. ArtsQuest shared that this year topped previous tournaments in both scale and community participation.
“When we envisioned SoccerFest for the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. this year, our goal was never simply to show the World Cup matches on big screens,” said Curt Mosel, Chief Operating Officer of ArtsQuest.
“We wanted to create a place where families, neighbors, and visitors from every background could experience the excitement of the world’s biggest sporting event together alongside live music, art, and festivals. What unfolded over the course of the tournament exceeded every expectation. We watched complete strangers celebrate goals and dance together, children wearing jerseys from countries around the world play and create side by side, and our campus became a true reflection of the diversity and spirit of the global soccer community,” Mosel said.
Photo Courtesy of ArtsQuest
The event additionally coincided with ArtsQuest’s slate of summer festivals and programming, including fan favorites ¡Sabor! Latin Festival, One Earth Reggae Festival, Blast Furnace Blues Festival, 4th of July festivities, America’s 250th birthday, and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks concerts, ArtsQuest says.
The organization shared that over 500 young athletes participated in free youth clinics, an adaptive soccer experience, a Spanish-language clinic, goalkeeper training, community center field trips with clinics, and 3v3 tournaments hosted throughout June by Penn Rising XI, and supported by EPYS, Parkland Area Soccer Club and Perfect Touch Sports.
Photo Courtesy of ArtsQuest
“Soccer has an incredible ability to bring people together, regardless of age, background, or experience,” said Greg Ramos, Executive Director of Penn Rising XI.
“Throughout SoccerFest, we saw young players learning new skills, meeting teammates from different communities, and experiencing the excitement of the World Cup in a way they’ll remember for years. That’s how the game continues to grow,” said Ramos.
SoccerFest reinforced the Lehigh Valley’s growing reputation as a destination for major sporting events and international visitors, says ArtsQuest.
“The FIFA World Cup provided an incredible opportunity to showcase the Lehigh Valley to visitors while celebrating the cultures and communities that make our region so special,” said Alex Michaels, President & CEO of Discover Lehigh Valley.
“SoccerFest demonstrated what makes this region unique—a community that welcomes people from around the world and creates unforgettable shared experiences through sports, arts, and culture,” said Michaels.
While the FIFA World Cup has concluded, SteelStacks next event is coming up quickly, as Musikfest will return from July 31 to Aug. 9.
MusikFest will bring more than 500 free performances and hundreds of thousands of visitors back to Bethlehem, says ArtsQuest.
To learn more, visit www.artsquest.org.