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World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia: Matches, Stadium and Travel

By Sofia Reyes, Host Cities CorrespondentLast Updated: 2026-07-04⏱️ 5 min read
World Cup 2026 in Philadelphia: Matches, Stadium and Travel
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Philadelphia hosts 6 World Cup 2026 matches at Lincoln Financial Field, a 69,796-seat venue in USA. The city's tournament opens on Sun, Jun 14 and runs through Sat, Jul 4. This guide covers the fixtures, how to reach Lincoln Financial Field, where to stay, and what to do between matches.

Of the 6 games staged in Philadelphia, 5 fall in the group stage and 1 are knockout fixtures. The first kicks off when Côte d'Ivoire meet Ecuador at 19:00 local time on Sun, Jun 14. All kick-off times below are listed in Philadelphia's local zone (New York), so convert them to your home time before you set alarms.

DateMatchKick-off (local)Stage
Sun, Jun 14Côte d'Ivoire vs Ecuador19:00Group E
Fri, Jun 19Brazil vs Haiti20:30Group C
Mon, Jun 22France vs Iraq17:00Group I
Thu, Jun 25Curaçao vs Côte d'Ivoire16:00Group E
Sat, Jun 27Croatia vs Ghana17:00Group L
Sat, Jul 4Paraguay vs France17:00Round of 16

Every confirmed World Cup 2026 fixture at Lincoln Financial Field.

The standout date for Philadelphia is the round of 16 between Paraguay and France on Sat, Jul 4. Because Philadelphia keeps 1 knockout fixture, demand for hotels and flights spikes sharply in the back half of the tournament, so lock in refundable bookings before the bracket is set. If you are chasing more than one game here, cluster your stay around the dates in the table above rather than committing to the full window.

How to reach Philadelphia for the World Cup

Fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) with regional rail links directly to Center City. From the airport, give yourself a generous buffer on matchdays — crowds peak in the three hours before kick-off at Lincoln Financial Field. Fly into Philadelphia International (PHL). Stay in Center City Philadelphia and utilize the subway system. Where you can, travel light: Lincoln Financial Field enforces a small-bag policy and queues at screening grow quickly once gates open.

Public transport to Lincoln Financial Field

SEPTA Broad Street Line subway is the best way to the stadium. Hop on the subway southbound to NRG Station. SEPTA Broad Street Subway Line runs directly to NRG Station, located a short walk from the stadium gates. Highly walkable sports complex with great pre-game atmospheres. Keep bags within clear bag dimensions.

Where to stay and what to do in Philadelphia

Dine on classic cheesesteaks, run the Rocky Steps at the Museum of Art, and explore historic national park areas. Away from the football, Visit Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, run the Rocky Steps, explore Reading Terminal Market, and tour the Eastern State Penitentiary. Philadelphia offers reasonable value compared with the coastal host cities, especially if you stay a short transit ride from the centre.

Popular neighbourhoods to base yourself in Philadelphia:

  • Center City
  • Old City
  • Fishtown
  • Rittenhouse Square
  • South Philly

Food, drink and pre-match spots near Lincoln Financial Field

Authentic Philly cheesesteaks, soft pretzels, crab fries, and local IPAs. Cash-free operations. If you would rather eat in the city first, the Center City area is an easy pre-match base before you ride out to Lincoln Financial Field.

Climate and matchday safety in Philadelphia

At about 39.9°N, Lincoln Financial Field sees warm, often humid early-summer conditions — hydration matters for day fixtures. Hot summer, averaging 21°C to 30°C (70°F to 86°F) with moderate humidity. Pack accordingly and plan your stadium arrival around the heat of the day where relevant. Stick to Center City and historical areas. Exercise caution in North Philadelphia. Stick to official fan zones and signed transit routes around Lincoln Financial Field on matchdays.

Featured Host Cities

New York/New Jersey

USA

Serviced by three major airports: Newark Liberty (EWR) which is closest to the stadium, John F. Kennedy (JFK), and LaGuardia (LGA). All connect to transit.

Dallas

USA

Fly into Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — a massive global hub — or Dallas Love Field (DAL) for domestic connections.

Los Angeles

USA

Serviced by Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Ontario (ONT), John Wayne (SNA), and Hollywood Burbank (BUR).

Featured Host Stadiums

MetLife Stadium

New York/New Jersey, USA

Cap: 82,500

AT&T Stadium

Dallas, USA

Cap: 80,000

SoFi Stadium

Los Angeles, USA

Cap: 70,240

Frequently Asked Questions

How many World Cup 2026 matches are in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia hosts 6 matches at Lincoln Financial Field, including 1 knockout-stage game.

Which stadium hosts the World Cup in Philadelphia?

All Philadelphia fixtures are played at Lincoln Financial Field, which holds 69,796 spectators. Located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, the "Linc" features solar panels and wind turbines, and offers a highly passionate crowd.

When does Philadelphia host its World Cup 2026 matches?

Philadelphia's fixtures run from Sun, Jun 14 to Sat, Jul 4, with kick-offs listed in New York local time.

SR

Sofia Reyes

Host Cities Correspondent

Sofia is a North America travel writer who has lived in Mexico City, Toronto and Los Angeles. She reports on neighbourhoods, fan zones and the practical realities of each host city for visiting supporters.

Focus areas: Host city guides · Neighbourhoods & fan zones · Local transport

Editorial standards: see our editorial policy and corrections policy.

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