Philadelphia Emerges as World Cup 2026 Fan Favorite
Short overview
Philadelphia may not host the opening ceremony or final, but it has become a standout host city for the 2026 World Cup. With 250,000 fans visiting the fan park and packed stadiums, the city's sports culture and fan experience are under the spotlight.
Philadelphia may not have hosted an opening ceremony, and it won’t be the venue for the final, but the city has emerged as one of the big winners of the 2026 World Cup, according to a new episode of the BBC World Service podcast More than the Score.
Stadium and Fan Park Success
Philadelphia Stadium – also known as Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles – has been filled to capacity for matches featuring teams such as Brazil, France and Ivory Coast. In the first two weeks of the tournament, 250,000 people had passed through the gates to watch games on big screens at the official fan park.
Exploring the Fan Experience
In the episode, hosts Lee James and John Bennett examine the fan experience in the city. John visits a tailgate before the Brazil vs. Haiti match, chatting with fans and sampling the local food on offer. Lee then visits all four of Philadelphia’s major US sports teams – the Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), 76ers (NBA) and Flyers (NHL) – to learn more about the city’s rich sporting heritage.
Insights from the Host City Executive
Lee also speaks with Meg Kane, the host city executive for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, about why the city wanted to host World Cup games and what benefits it brings. Kane provides insight into the planning and impact of hosting such a global event.
About the Podcast
More than the Score offers more than just the men’s football World Cup – covering the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, the BBC World Service promises to take listeners deeper – from the group stages to the final. Listeners can search for More than the Score wherever they get their BBC podcasts.
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