PHILADELPHIA — Today, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the Parker Administration unveiled transportation and mobility details for Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival™, the region’s only FREE Fan Festival. FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia will take place at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ tournament will run from June 11 through July 19, 2026, and Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival™ will operate throughout all 39 days, with live match broadcasts, cultural programming, music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities designed to welcome residents and visitors from around the world.
“This is about affordability and access for all, not just downtown visitors,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “We want people from across Philadelphia and around the globe to enjoy this historic moment in our city. At the same time, we are making strategic investments in our public spaces and putting thoughtful plans in place to support the residents and neighborhoods closest to these events, protect quality of life, and keep Philadelphia moving with limited disruption throughout the tournament.”
As part of that effort, the city is making strategic investments to support transportation access and operations during FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia, including $450,000 for PHLASH bus service connecting residents and visitors to Fan Festival from Center City and the Historic District. Additional operational planning support includes enhanced SEPTA services, residential parking protections, pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, expanded Indego bike share access, traffic safety enhancements, pop-up hospitality hubs, and coordinated public safety operations designed to support residents, businesses, and visitors throughout the tournament.
“Philadelphia knows how to host big moments, and we are determined to make this experience accessible, welcoming, and unforgettable for everyone,” said Jazelle Jones, City Representative and Director of Special Events for the City of Philadelphia. “From transportation to neighborhood support and programming, this effort is about making sure residents and visitors alike can fully experience the excitement and energy of the FIFA Fan Festival™ and all that Philadelphia has to offer. We also encourage everyone to stay connected through Mayor Parker’s 2026 Access Philly app, available as a free download in the App Store and on Google Play for real-time updates, transportation information, and event details throughout the tournament.”
Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details. Text “CUPPHL” to 888-777 to receive free alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.
Fan Festival Details
Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival™ will deliver a visitor experience unlike any other in the United States in 2026. Fueled by the energy of America’s 250th anniversary in the birthplace of our nation, the festival will celebrate community, culture, music, and sport while welcoming the world to an iconic global destination. Participation in the festival is free, but online registration will be required for all guests.
As the heart of Philadelphia’s World Cup celebration for residents and visitors alike, the Fan Festival will feature match-day watch parties, food and beverage offerings, world-class entertainment, and interactive activations, while select non-match days will include ticketed concert experiences. Full details on the experience can be found on the Philadelphia Soccer 2026 website.
Road Closures
There will be two main road closure areas between Center City and Lemon Hill, near Fan Festival and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The local lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed from Memorial Day, May 25, to Labor Day, September 7, with the exception of the July 4th Concert festivities. This local lane closure will provide greater accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists and will encourage people to walk and bike between Center City and Lemon Hill.
For the Philadelphia FIFA Fan Festival™, the following streets will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26 for the duration of the festival:
- Sedgley Drive from Kelly Drive to Poplar Drive
- Poplar Street from Poplar Drive to 30th Street (Local Access Maintained)
- Poplar Street from 29th Street to 30th Street (Westbound Only; Local Access Maintained)
- Poplar Drive from Sedgley Drive to Girard Avenue
- Sedgley Drive from Girard Avenue to Lemon Hill Drive
- Lemon Hill Drive & N. Lemon Hill Drive (Loop Road)
The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones, with parking restricted after 5 a.m. on May 26, 2026. Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs.
These roads will remain closed for the duration of the Fan Festival and will be reopened to vehicular traffic by 8 p.m. on July 26, 2026.
Beginning on June 11 through July 19, Waterworks Drive will be closed at 10 a.m. each day for the duration of the Fan Festival, with controlled access for Waterworks and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Waterworks Drive will be available for general parking each morning until 9 a.m.
Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.
Note: Additional closures may be implemented by the Philadelphia Police Department based on conditions in the interest of public safety.
Getting to FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia
Philly PHLASH
The Philly PHLASH is serving FIFA Fan Festival™ this summer. Riders can take the PHLASH to Stop 9, FIFA Fan Festival on the PHLASH Downtown Loop. Located at Pennsylvania Avenue and Fairmount Avenue, the FIFA Fan Festival Stop is located 0.4 miles from the entrance to Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival™ at Lemon Hill.
PHLASH runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The PHLASH Downtown Loop will operate extended service on days when Fan Fest operates beyond 6 p.m.
Visit ridephillyphlash.com for the full operating schedule and real time ride tracking. Visitors can find PHLASH service on Google Maps, Apple Maps, and all major transit feeds.
Travel aboard PHLASH is free for Septa Pass Holders, Seniors, and Children Under 4. All other riders can ride all day for $5 or purchase a family pass for 2 adults and up to 4 children to ride all day. Free PHLASH passes will be available for all World Cup and 2026 volunteers.
SEPTA
Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.
Enhanced Bus Service & Detours in Fairmount:
- Beginning June 14, SEPTA bus route 32 will become a frequent route on weekdays only with 15 minute or less service from 6 am – 9 pm. Additionally, bus route 48 will add extra service in the evenings and provide direct service to a central drop-off and pick-up point at Pennsylvania Avenue & Fairmount Avenue, close to the festival location.
- Additionally, bus routes 7 and 49 provide service to Fairmount, with stops within walking distance of the FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia entrance.
- SEPTA will also deploy articulated vehicles along with additional buses stationed nearby for rapid deployment as needed to meet peak demand from the festival.
Visit SEPTA’s 2026 World Cup website for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules, visit NJTransit.com.
Ride Hailing
Ride hailing services will have limited access near FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia during operating hours due to temporary traffic controls and rideshare restrictions in and around the event footprint. Designated pick-up and drop-off locations will be situated outside the immediate Fan Festival area and may require additional walking time for riders. Geofence exceptions will be available for riders who order a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) or disclose a mobility issue to their driver.
Residents and visitors should expect modified traffic patterns, adjusted rideshare access zones, and limited vehicle access in certain surrounding areas. Guests are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, SEPTA, walking, biking, or other alternative transportation options whenever possible. The city is continuing to refine operational details in coordination with community feedback with additional information to be shared at a later date. Final restrictions and maps will be shared on the 2026 Digital Resource Hub.
Cyclists and Pedestrians
FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia is easily accessible via cycling and walking. Sidewalks and walking paths will remain open for pedestrians as conditions allow; however, please follow all posted signs, detours, and traffic control devices.
- The Schuylkill River Trail will be open and accessible across the street from the Fan Festival adjacent to Boat House Row.
- There will be bike parking available at Lloyd Hall and near the Indego Station Hub at Fan Festival.
RideIndego is an accessible and affordable way to get to and from FIFA Fan Festival™. There will be an Indego Station Hub with temporary capacity for 100 bikes at Fan Festival at Kelly Drive and Sedgely Drive in addition to regular docking stations conveniently located throughout the City, including along Kelly Drive and the Parkway. Download the official Indego App to check real-time bike and dock availability at any station. Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store and look for the official Indego App.
Pop Up Visitor Centers
Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, in partnership with the Philadelphia Visitor Center, will be staffing pop up visitor centers along the recommended walking path from Center City to FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia at Lemon Hill. The walking path will guide visitors past the following locations:
- City Hall
- Love Park
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway
- Sister Cities Park
- Eakins Oval
- Lloyd Hall
The pop up hospitality hubs will be open daily throughout the 39-day tournament and have the following free amenities:
- Water
- Restrooms
- Visitor information
- Maps
Exact locations of the pop-up visitor centers and hours of operation will be available at a later date.
Residential Parking Updates
There is no designated private vehicle parking available for those attending FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia at Lemon Hill. The Philadelphia Parking Authority is implementing temporary parking measures to help protect residential access and local parking availability during the tournament.
From Thursday, June 11th, through Sunday, July 19, 2026, temporary residential parking permits will be required at no cost for all vehicles parked on the street within the Lemon Hill area. The interactive map highlights the permit zone boundaries and streets where the temporary permits are required.
Residents in this area can apply for the temporary residential parking permit online by visiting philapark.org/lemonhill/, in person by visiting the PPA Permit Office located at 35 N. 8th Street, or by attending local events with a PPA table for assisted registration.
Business owners also need to register and will be provided with 10 guest passes each for employees and patrons.
NOTE: Current permit holders are not exempt. Your vehicle must have a temporary permit to avoid being ticketed and towed.
Additional Information for Residents
Residents can find the most up to date information by visiting the 2026 Digital Resource Hub. It is a one stop shop for helpful resources, major event details, transportation information, and public safety guides. Visit phila.gov/2026 to be connected to the latest information.
“Our priority is making sure the residents who call these neighborhoods home can still access parking and move around their community during the World Cup,” said Councilmember Jeffery Young Jr. “We encourage residents to stay engaged with our office and city resources throughout the tournament so we can keep our neighborhoods informed, supported, and accessible.”
Residents can also stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details by texting “CUPPHL” to 888-777 to receive free alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.
Discover 2026 celebrations, festivals, and more fun things to do across the city all summer long by downloading the Access Philly mobile app, available on iOS and Google Play.
Email fanfest2026@phila.gov with any additional questions.
Additional Information for Media
Media credential registration for FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia is available at PhillyFWC26.com/Credentials. All media must apply in advance to receive credentials. Philadelphia Soccer 2026 will contact all applicants regarding the status of their accreditation.
This accreditation process covers on-site media coverage at FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia (Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park). This accreditation process does not include access to FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches at Philadelphia Stadium. Media seeking stadium credentials must apply directly through FIFA.
