The FIFA World Cup is finally here, and so is the Grand Opening of Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, offering free access to match broadcasts, concerts, sponsor activations and food vendors throughout the 39-day tournament.
Here’s what to expect from FIFA’s Fan Fest in Philadelphia
Fan Fest is not only open every single day of the tournament, but entry into what organizers are calling “Soccer Coachella” is completely free. The Grand Opening is June 11 at 2 p.m. and will open every day of the tournament through the final on July 19.
Pre-registration isn’t required but highly suggested by event organizers, and can be found online, as can Opening and Closing times.
Driving to Fan Fest isn’t really an option. Due to road closures and ‘Permit Parking Only’ zones near Lemon Hill, folks attending will have to find another way to Fan Fest. Organizers suggest walking, biking, rideshares, public transportation, or a combination of the previously mentioned.
Philly’s PHLASH bus system ($5 for all-day rides to Philly’s best attractions) has added a stop (Stop 9) at Pennsylvania Ave and Fairmount Ave, a half-mile walk on a tree-lined sidewalk along Boathouse Row to Fan Fest. Indego, Philadelphia’s bike-share program, has added two large docks near the entrance of Fan Fest for easy access to the festival site. There are also multiple SEPTA stops nearby, including the G1 Trolley along Girard Ave, and the 7 and 32 bus routes, both within a 10-minute walk of Lemon Hill.
The main attraction of Fan Fest is the stage and screen in the middle of Lemon Hill’s lawn, which will be the main viewing area for fans to watch matches, but will also host DJs and performers throughout the tournament.
Following the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, Grammy-nominated artist and singer of Despacito, Luis Fonsi, will perform to help kick off the World Cup and Fan Fest in Philadelphia
Beyond match viewings, Fan Fest will feature sponsor activations, giveaways, interactive exhibits and entertainment aimed at visitors of all ages.
Head over to the Bank of America booth to make one of these customizable Philadelphia World Cup bracelets, but get in line early because it just might be one of the hottest items in all of Fan Fest.
Philly’s Major League Soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, will also be at Fan Fest and have a number of soccer-focused activities for fans to enjoy. In addition to their high-tech soccer challenges, the Union have set up a station for fans to send loved ones a Philly-themed postcard straight from FIFA’s Fan Fest.
Looking for World Cup merch this summer? A large (air-conditioned!) FIFA merch store is on-site at Fan Fest with everything from team jerseys, to Philadelphia-themed World Cup shirts, plushies, novelties, sticker books and packs, and more.
And yes, the Curacao away kits are available at the merch store.
Because Fan Fest is in Philadelphia’s oldest public park, there is plenty of green space with natural shade for people to get out of the sun during hot days this summer. In addition, pretty much all the brand activations offer shade and seating in some capacity and some, like the FIFA merch store, are air-conditioned.
Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available to purchase on site via multiple locations like Michelob Ultra’s beer garden, which has a decent amount of seating, offers shade from the sun, and is in sightlines of the Main Stage.
There are also free water refilling stations on site courtesy of Event Water Solutions. Fans can bring any bottle or can from inside the grounds to refill as much as they want throughout the day. Empty plastic water bottles are the only outside bottles that can be brought into the fest, but you can use whatever vessel you have at the refilling stations once inside to stay hydrated. Pro-tip: Grab a plastic canteen from the Visit PA booth to bring in and out all summer long.
All the food at FIFA Fan Fest is provided by 75 local food trucks, many of which set up in Festival-style booths. From cheesesteaks and street food to desserts, a wide variety of options will be available throughout the festival.
Multiple charging stations are located throughout the festival grounds. One of the charging docks is inside the Visit PA activation booth, with another over by one of the water refilling stations, in addition to a big line of “Charging Lockers” located over by the merch store, offering fans a place to both store and charge their belongings all day long.
MORE: Where to celebrate the World Cup in Philadelphia
