{"id":198774,"date":"2026-05-21T11:35:37","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/198774\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T11:35:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T11:35:37","slug":"world-cup-2026-stadium-guides-welcome-to-philadelphia-where-walking-and-tailgating-are-encouraged","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/198774\/","title":{"rendered":"World Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Philadelphia, where walking and tailgating are encouraged"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series<\/a>, in which we look at the 16 venues that will host matches at the 2026 tournament.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia, the \u201cbirthplace of America\u201d, is one of the nation\u2019s most famous and historic cities.<\/p>\n

The East Coast city has a footprint far beyond American shores. International visitors will undoubtedly flock to run the famous Rocky steps, before taking a bite of one of the city\u2019s iconic cheesesteaks at Geno\u2019s.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also one of the United States\u2019 great sporting cities. Philadelphia is one of just six of the country\u2019s cities that boasts a championship in each of the four largest American sports leagues: the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.<\/p>\n

And, while Philadelphia is yet to taste MLS Cup success, it has a long and proud soccer history. This summer, after failing in a bid to host games in 1994, the World Cup comes to Philadelphia Stadium for the first time.<\/p>\n

Here, The Athletic breaks down what to expect.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s it known as normally?<\/p>\n

Lincoln Financial Field, or \u201cThe Linc\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is named after the Lincoln Financial Group, which bought the naming rights in 2002 for $139.6million (\u00a395.5m), spread over 21 years. The Fortune 200 insurance and investment management group agreed to extend their partnership in 2019, with the agreement running until 2031.<\/p>\n

What will it be called for the World Cup?<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Stadium \u2014 and unlike most of the venues at the World Cup<\/a>, that is true to its location. This is true Philadelphia, about four miles south of downtown.<\/p>\n

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\n An aerial view of the stadium in 2023 (Omar Vega\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

When was the stadium opened, how much did it cost, and who plays there normally?<\/p>\n

It opened in 2003, after being built at a cost of $512m. At the time, it was the most expensive stadium ever built in the U.S. and the second-most expensive worldwide, behind Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan.<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Eagles and the Phillies, the city\u2019s NFL and MLB teams, moved in when it was completed. The Eagles have made it their home ever since, but the Phillies left for a new venue, the baseball-specific Citizens Bank Park, a year later.<\/p>\n

The Eagles have enjoyed great success and produced many memorable nights at the stadium. On their way to winning Super Bowl LII, the first in franchise history, and Super Bowl LIX they handily won NFC Championship games at The Linc, blowing out the Minnesota Vikings 38-7 in 2018 and the Washington Commanders 55-23 in 2025.<\/p>\n

It is also the longtime home of the Temple Owls, the NCAA Division I college football team of Temple University. It hosted the city\u2019s MLS club, the Philadelphia Union, in their debut season in 2010, and is the venue for the longstanding annual Army-Navy game, in which the best football players from those military forces compete, typically attended by the sitting U.S. president.<\/p>\n

What are the most famous moments that have happened there?<\/p>\n

Perhaps the most famous moment happened in its very first NFL season.<\/p>\n

With the Eagles 14 points down against the Green Bay Packers in the Divisional Round, Philly tied the game with two fourth-quarter touchdowns before Green Bay went 17-14 ahead through a field goal.<\/p>\n

With 1:12 on the clock, the Eagles were in a tight spot. In a play immortalised as \u201c4th and 26\u201d, quarterback Donovan McNabb tossed a 28-yard pass down the middle to wide receiver Freddie Mitchell for a first down, keeping the game alive. David Akers\u2019 field goal took the game into overtime, and his second of the night won it. The Eagles went on to lose against the Carolina Panthers, their third consecutive defeat in the NFC Championship game.<\/p>\n

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\n Freddie Mitchell celebrates after his 28-yard catch against the Green Bay Packers (Doug Pensinger\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Temple Owls have recorded some famous moments of their own here, notably beating the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2015, their first win against their major in-state rivals in 74 years.<\/p>\n

Away from American football, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins in a rare outdoor ice hockey game in 2019, with the Flyers beating the Penguins 4-3 in front of 69,620 fans.<\/p>\n

It is also a regular destination for touring musicians, including a three-night stay by Taylor Swift \u2014 who is from West Reading, a Pennsylvania town about an hour north-west of Philadelphia \u2014 as part of her Eras Tour in 2023.<\/p>\n

How many fans can the stadium hold? And will it be at maximum capacity for the World Cup?<\/p>\n

The record attendance was set at an Ed Sheeran concert in 2023, when 77,900 fans packed in to see the British pop star. That will not be broken this summer.<\/p>\n

The stadium typically operates at a capacity crowd of around 67,500 for NFL games, but that will be slightly reduced to approximately 65,827 for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

The record attendance for a soccer match is 69,879, set when Liverpool played Arsenal in a pre-season friendly in 2024, with Arne Slot\u2019s side winning 2-1.<\/p>\n

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\n Liverpool\u2019s friendly win against Arsenal in 2024 set a record soccer attendance at the stadium (Andrew Powell\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

What kind of pitch does it have, and has it had to change for the World Cup?<\/p>\n

The primary aim of the team preparing the surfaces at the World Cup is to replicate what players are used to at club level, and The Linc is no different.<\/p>\n

This month, work started to replace the Bermuda grass surface used by the Eagles with a hybrid turf which blends natural and synthetic grass fibres.<\/p>\n

It was the surface used at several Australian venues for the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup the country co-hosted with New Zealand and was used by Manchester City and Real Madrid for their training grounds.<\/p>\n

What are normal temperatures in June\/July and will fans be sheltered at games?<\/p>\n

Philadelphia may not reach the extreme highs of Dallas or Houston, nor receive as much rainfall as Miami, but fans should still plan for heat and humidity.<\/p>\n

Summer temperatures in Philadelphia typically range from 84F (29C) to around 91F (33C), with humidity often exceeding 70 per cent. Fans attending games will also be subject to the urban heat island effect, when major cities become significantly hotter than nearby rural areas.<\/p>\n

The Linc is an open-air stadium, so there is no dome or roof to protect fans from the sun. For those attending Curacao vs Ivory Coast (4pm local kick-off) or France vs Iraq and Croatia vs Ghana (both 5pm kick-offs), make sure you pack a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle to fill at one of the stations around the concourse.<\/p>\n

Are they changing anything else for the World Cup?<\/p>\n

The stadium was built in 2003 with the potential to host soccer tournaments in mind.<\/p>\n

Four removable corners were installed to accommodate a larger playing field. Those corners were modified again in 2019 to make the process of removing and re-installing them more straightforward. That process will get underway ahead of the tournament, allowing for FIFA\u2019s sideline sponsorship boards and team dugouts to be built into the current structure.<\/p>\n

In keeping with FIFA\u2019s branding rules, any reference to Lincoln Financial Field, or any of the Eagles\u2019 sponsors, will be removed from inside and outside the stadium.<\/p>\n

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\n (Mitchell Leff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

How do I get there?<\/p>\n

Rejoice! There need not be any rental cars, two-hour rideshares or awkward, confusing gameday shuttles. The Linc is one of the most straightforward World Cup stadiums to access.<\/p>\n

International visitors who are keen to use public transport can use SEPTA, Philadelphia\u2019s subway system. If you\u2019re in downtown Philly \u2014 or \u2018Center City\u2019, as it\u2019s known by Philadelphians \u2014 hop on the Broad Street (B1\/Orange) line to NRG station, situated a short walk away from Lincoln Financial Field. The ride normally costs $3 and takes around 25 minutes.<\/p>\n

Your journey home is covered by the Philadelphia host committee and funded by Airbnb. Complimentary rides from The Linc will be available from half-time and will run for two hours after the final whistle.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re keen on maximising every second spent in Philadelphia, you could cycle the four-mile journey down South 10th Street, taking you past Philadelphia\u2019s Magic Gardens and through the Bella Vista, Lower Saigon and Lower Moyamensing neighbourhoods. Bella Vista is considered one of the city\u2019s most appealing and walkable areas.<\/p>\n

If it\u2019s not too hot or humid, you could consider the hour-long walk from Center City, allowing you to wander through the side streets.<\/p>\n

Alternatively, the most straightforward driving route will take you down the I-95 on the south banks of the Delaware River. Expect heavy traffic.<\/p>\n

What can fans expect at the stadium?<\/p>\n

Eagles fans are known to be among the most raucous in U.S. sports. Police \u2018grease the poles\u2019 regularly before NFL games<\/a>, in an attempt to prevent supporters from climbing them. Perhaps unsurprisingly, there is a vibrant tailgating culture<\/a>\u00a0and this summer, that atmosphere promises to translate to the World Cup.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia\u2019s World Cup fan fest will offer free entry for the duration of the tournament, and there are no tailgating bans at The Linc for international and domestic fans with a game ticket and parking pass who want to get a taste of Philly\u2019s sporting culture. Make sure to try the K-Lot and the Jetro Lot to get the most authentic atmosphere.<\/p>\n

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\n Philadelphia Eagles fans tailgating before an NFL game (Mitchell Leff\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re making a flying visit to Philly and don\u2019t have time to check out one of the city\u2019s legendary cheesesteak locations, there are options inside the stadium. Locals recommend Chickie\u2019s and Pete\u2019s, and make sure to accompany it with their famous \u2018crabfries\u2019.<\/p>\n

And before you leave, NFL fans should make sure to snap a pic in front of the \u201cPhilly Special\u201d statue outside the stadium. The nine-foot-tall statue depicts the discussion between quarterback Nick Foles and head coach Doug Pederson at Super Bowl LII, ahead of tight end Trey Burton throwing a touchdown pass to Foles. In that game, with the Eagles beating the New England Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl, Foles became the first player to throw and catch for a touchdown in the event\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

Is there anything else we should know about this stadium?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re yet to be convinced by how passionate Eagles supporters are, there is a jail inside The Linc to help deal with the most unruly fans.<\/p>\n

OK, technically it\u2019s a holding centre in the bowels of the stadium, which isn\u2019t entirely uncommon for U.S. sports grounds\u2026 but it allows for a transition into some Philly sporting lore.<\/p>\n

Veterans Stadium, The Linc\u2019s predecessor, actually had a jail fitted inside the grounds to reduce crimes, after one fan fired a flare gun into empty seats across the field in 1997.<\/p>\n

They even had a functioning courtroom installed, where judges waited on game days to handle unruly fans.<\/p>\n

Which games are being played there?<\/p>\n

June 14: Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (Group E) (7pm local; 11pm GMT)
June 19: Group C: Brazil vs Haiti (9pm local; 1am GMT)
June 22: Group I: France vs Iraq (5pm local; 9pm GMT)
June 25: Group E: Curacao vs Ivory Coast (4pm local; 8pm GMT)
June 27: Group L: Croatia vs Ghana (5pm local; 9pm GMT)
July 4: Round of 16: Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 (5pm local; 9pm GMT)<\/p>\n

The Stadium Guides series is part of a partnership with StubHub.<\/p>\n

The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"This article is part of our World Cup Stadium Guides series, in which we look at the 16…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":198775,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[20405,29922,2395,69,71,70,11868],"class_list":["post-198774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-brazil","tag-fifa-mens-world-cup","tag-france","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-headlines","tag-philadelphia-news","tag-soccer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=198774"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198774\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198775"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=198774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=198774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}