FIFA Fan Festival guide: Road closures, vendors, and more things to know before you go

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

The FIFA Fan Festival, a 39-day celebration of the World Cup and the city’s official watch party, will take over the wooded grounds in East Fairmount Park from June 11 to July 19. The free festival will open daily, allowing fans to watch matches on a stage-size 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 atmosphere without shelling out for expensive match tickets.

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

“Our focus is making the World Cup experience accessible, welcoming, and easy to navigate,” said Michelle Singer, cochair of 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.”

The 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 daily opening and closing times, is available at phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.

While the festival is free, fans must register using an online form, which can be found at phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest. This helps organizers plan head counts and manage capacity.

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

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

Three buses have direct service to the festival: SEPTA bus Routes 32 and 48 and the Philly PHLASH shuttle.

These routes connect fans 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 accessed.

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. The Route 7 and Route 49 buses 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 serve the 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 near Lemon Hill.

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

Bike parking is available at Lloyd Hall Recreation Center and an Indego Bikeshare hub at Sedgley and Kelly Drives.

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

Fan Festival pickup/drop-off zones

There is no parking at the festival, and the adjacent neighborhoods of Brewerytown and Fairmount will have strict parking enforcement during the event, 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 for lovers of soccer, music, shopping, and good eats. But the main attraction is the massive stage and screen for watching matches live.

Major matchups, including U.S. National Team matches, will be screened at the festival, but not every game will be shown. 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 best of the Philly region, coinciding with the theme “Welcoming the World with a Philly Phlavor.”

Expect games, giveaways, and photo moments 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, will remain open to vehicle traffic.

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

The festival will have ADA-accessible features to make navigation easier for those with limited mobility:

The 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.

Smoking and vaping are not allowed in the festival or in city parks.

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