FIFA Fan Festival guide: Know before you go, road closures, vendors, and more

Philadelphia’s historical summer of American history and global soccer will begin on June 11, when the 2026 World Cup kicks off in Mexico, and an estimated 15,000 people flock to Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park to watch the game.

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FIFA Fan Festival, a 39-day celebration of the World Cup and the city’s official watch party, will take over the wooded grounds of East Fairmount Park from June 11 to July 19. The free festival will open daily, allowing fans to watch matches on a stage-sized screen with thousands of others, play soccer themselves on pristine pitches, and explore vendor and food markets.

It’s an opportunity for fans to experience all the World Cup has to offer in a festival-style atmosphere without shelling out for expensive match tickets.

With all the fanfare, however, will come transportation headaches. All roads within and some close to Lemon Hill are closed off to vehicle traffic, nearby residential areas have restricted parking, and no rideshare services will be available in the immediate surrounding areas.

“Our focus is making the World Cup experience accessible, welcoming, and easy to navigate,” said Michelle Singer, co-chair if Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “Whether heading to a match or spending the day at Lemon Hill, Philadelphians and visitors should feel supported throughout the experience and welcomed as part of this moment.”

FIFA Fan Festival runs daily from June 11 to July 19. On match days, the festival will open one hour before the first scheduled match. On non-match days, the opening and closing times will depend on the entertainment and programming schedule.

A full schedule, including opening and closing times for each day, is available at phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.

While the Fan Festival is free to enter, fans must register online for the day they plan to attend using the registration form, which can also be found at phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest. This helps organizers plan headcounts and manage capacity.

Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

There is no on-site parking on the festival grounds and driving to the event is strongly discouraged. Instead, fans should look to using public transportation, cycling, or taking rideshare to the festival.

There are three buses with direct service to the Fan Festival: SEPTA Bus routes 32 and 48, and the Philly PHLASH shuttle.

These three routes connect fans directly from the intersection of Pennsylvania and Fairmount Avenues, a half-mile walk from the festival, to City Hall, where subway, regional rail, and other modes of transportation can be used to complete the final leg of their trip to and from home.

Route 32 will run its weekday schedule, every 15 minutes or less from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., throughout the festival’s run. Route 48 is adding extra service in the evenings and on weekends through the end of summer. Bus routes 7 and 49 also serve Fairmount with stops close to the festival.

The PHLASH Downtown Loop created a new stop, Stop 9, at Pennsylvania and Fairmount avenues, and will service the Fan Festival daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On festival days that extend past 6 p.m., PHLASH service will be extended as well.

Walking and cycling to the event is highly encouraged, with sidewalks and walking paths open throughout and near Lemon Hill.

Cyclists are encouraged to use the Schuylkill River Trail, which will be open and accessible across the street from the Fan Festival, adjacent to Boathouse Row. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Kelly Drive will also remain open during the festival for cyclists to use for travel.

Bike parking is available at Lloyd Hall Recreation Center next to Boathouse Row and at the Indego Bikeshare Station Hub at the festival, located at Sedgley & Kelly Drives.

Roads surrounding Lemon Hill will have rideshare services disabled during festival operating hours, a practice known as “geofencing.” At that time, rideshare riders will have to use three designated rideshare pick-up/drop-off zones located in Fairmount, multiple blocks from the festival in Lemon Hill.

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Fan Festival pick-up/drop-off zones

There is no parking at FIFA Fan Festival, and the adjacent neighborhoods of Brewerytown and Fairmount have strict parking enforcement during the festival, with only residents and businesses being issued temporary permits.

Those found parking on nearby streets will be fined and towed.

There’s a little bit of everything at Fan Festival for lovers of soccer, music, shopping, and good eats. But the main attraction is the massive stage and screen for watching World Cup matches live.

All major matchups, including U.S. National Team matches, will be aired at the Fan Festival, but not every game. Concerts and live performances are planned on various dates, including the opening night concert with headliner Luis Fonsi, of “Despacito” fame.

Surrounding the action are vendor markets and more than 75 food trucks showcasing the very best of the Philly region, offering a taste of Philadelphia to coincide with the event’s theme “Welcoming the World with a Philly Phlavor.”

Expect games, giveaways, and photo moments every day keeping fans exploring the million-square-feet of festival grounds.

Road closures inside and around East Fairmount Park are in place until July 26 at 8 p.m.

Main roads surrounding the festival, like Kelly Drive and Girard Avenue, remain open to vehicle traffic.

The following streets will be closed for the duration of the festival:

Fan Festival will have ADA-accessible features to make navigating the event easier for those with limited mobility.

FIFA Fan Festival will have a fenced perimeter, with all guests needing to enter through a metal detector and undergo screening protocols.

Attendees are allowed one personal bag, which will be searched. No outside food or drink is allowed, except water bottles under 100ml.

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There is no smoking or vaping allowed in the festival or in city parks.

A full list of prohibited items can be found at phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.