Lemon Hill Park Upgrading For 2026 FIFA World Cup Fan Festival

Preparations for the 2026 FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill Park are underway. Thousands of World Cup soccer fans are expected to descend on the Philadelphia park for watch parties during next year's World Cup matches, which will be held in the City of Brotherly Love.

Lemon Hill Park, situated in Fairmount Park along the Schuylkill River, was selected as the venue for the Fan Festival because of its picturesque views of Center City and its capacity to host a free, five-week festival during the World Cup, June 11 to July 19.

The 46-acre park is receiving several upgrades in advance of next year's festivities. According to PhillyVoice, upgrades to the park include pathway replacements, sidewalk improvements along Sedgley Drive, ADA ramps, resurfaced parking lots and roads, and curb realignments for safety.

Additional improvements at the park involve installing drinking water stations, upgrading electrical systems, and adding security cameras to ensure visitor safety during the event.

Philadelphia is one of the host cities in the United States for the World Cup. Additionally, Canada and Mexico will host FIFA World Cup action. 

FIFA's expanded format in 2026 will involve 104 matches held over 39 days. A new knockout round of 32 national teams will be assembled from the best of 12 groups of four teams.

FIFA's ticket presale has included lotteries for early access. Two lotteries will open to the general public before the end of the year, with general ticket sales set to begin in spring 2026. 

The FIFA Fan Festival is only one of several significant sporting events to take place in Philadelphia next year. Citizens Bank Park will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on July 14, and Xfinity Mobile Arena will play host to the first and second rounds of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship on March 20 and 22, 2026.