As America prepares for its 250th birthday, the City of Brotherly Love will be transformed into a haven of marquee events and historic experiences. But as we all know, Philadelphia adores its sports teams, and for fans in the city, there will be plenty of action to catch on your doorstep in 2026.
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event in the world, and with America hosting next years' rendition, it's only fitting that Philadelphia will be hosting 6 matches as the birthplace of America.
The following games will take place at Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles.
There are certainly some heavy hitters here. France, Brazil, Ivory Coast (twice) and Croatia headline the group stage games, while the City will also be treated to a knockout game on the Fourth of July. One could only dream of the USMNT making it that far and playing in front of a loud home crowd on such a special day.
In the meantime, we know for sure that the Philadelphia Union's 25-year-old midfielder, Danley Jean Jacques, will get to play in front of his home fans at the club level, as Haiti take on Brazil. Danley was crucial in Haiti's miraculous qualifying stage run, seeing the nation make the World Cup for the first time since 1974. It will be a special day for Jean Jacques, and the nation of Haiti overall, which has battled some heartbreaking hardships over the last few years.
Philadelphia can prepare itself for a summer of festivities and a blending of cultures from across the world, as countries come together to celebrate the beautiful game.
As if hosting the World Cup wasn't enough, Philadelphia will also host the 2026 MLB All-Star game. The 96th iteration of such will take place in July, so just as the World Cup energy settles, a new wave of excitement begins.
Philadelphia was chosen with the 250th birthday in mind, and will see the MLB's very best come together for a week of entertainment, including the Home Run Derby. Maybe we'll even see Kyle Schwarber or Bryce Harper slug in front of the Philly faithful during the derby.
If you want a slower pace, then the 2026 PGA Championship coming to town could be something to mark on your calendar. While America celebrates its birthday, the PGA Championship brings the 108th running of the prestigious major to Philadelphia, and with it, all of the stars from the PGA Tour and beyond.
It will be the first time the club has hosted the Championship since 1962, and with golf only growing in popularity, we could see some sprawling crowds come the summer.
Scottie Scheffler is the reigning champion, and in fact, the last 10 winners of the Major have all been American. Will that streak continue at the historic Aronimink Golf Club?
The United States Amateur Championship will also take place in Philadelphia in 2026, as Merion Golf Club welcomes the next generation of aspiring professionals. Is this your chance to catch a glimpse at the next Rory?
St. Joseph's will host the first and second-round games in the 2026 NCAA March Madness tournament. In one of the most exciting sporting spectacles of the calendar year, Philadelphia will be at the center of the opening games.
From buzzer-beaters to fairytale runs, March Madness has it all, and with a WNBA team on the way to Philadelphia too, this is a great time to get more involved with the sport beyond rooting for the 76ers.
If the above events don't quite quench your thirst, then don't fret. The Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship returns to Philadelphia on Feb. 7, at Xfinity Mobile Arena, while summer will also see the city streets flooded with bikes as the Philadelphia Cycling Classic takes place.
Oh, and there are the five professional sports teams to keep an eye on. Will we see another Super Bowl parade? A Flyers playoff run?
All in all, 2026 promises to be a year of non-stop thrills for sports fanatics as America celebrates its 250th year of existence.
