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The FIFA World Cup is about to take over the summer, and Philly has six games at “Philadelphia Stadium” — which most of us will still call the Linc — with a Fourth of July matchup capping things off.
Local businesses and organizations are already getting hyped up for the summer of soccer and there’s going to be plenty of places where you can catch the games and enjoy the global soccer celebration besides at the stadium or at the free Fan Festival site at Lemon Hill.
Here’s our list, which we’ll try to keep updated throughout the summer. We also have details about the games and the official FIFA Fan Fest.
Watch
If you want to cheer on the U.S. team with the American Outlaws, the national team’s supporters group, you need to go to the Top Tomato Bar in Center City. The Outlaws’ Philly chapter will host watch parties for all three group stage games and you can count on them to continue holding events while the team is in the tournament.
The opening game of the tournament is between Mexico and South Africa, on June 11 at 3 p.m. The Association of Mexican Business Owners in Philadelphia is holding a block party along 9th Street in the Italian Market from noon to 8 p.m.
El Mezcal Cantina in Point Breeze is having a kick-off party that day from 2 till 8 p.m., with a a live DJ, a vintage pop-up and a EA Sports FC 26 video game tournament. Entry is free if you’re wearing any soccer jersey.
The Rail Park will have a watch party and soccer social ahead of Mexico’s games against South Korea on June 18.
Taqueria Cresta in East Falls will have watch parties for every U.S. and Mexico game.
Gou Restaurant in Olney has watch parties for every Haitian national team game.
Chinatown’s Lion Bar will be a good spot to catch any of the World Cup action, with its 35 screens, usually volume up. During the tournament, it will still have walk-ins and standing room available, but it will also partner with nearby Yamitsuki Ramen to offer guaranteed seating packages with open bar and buffet included.
It will also serve as a base for French football fans. On June 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the bar is partnering with the French Football Federation to be a primary gathering spot for Le Bleus supporters before they head down to the stadium for the team’s game against Iraq at 5 p.m.
Lion Bar is also partnering with the Philadelphia chapter of the supporters group for Brazilian club Flamengo — who played two games in Philly at last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup — to host Brazil fans before their game against Haiti on June 19. The pre-match party runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fringe Bar will have a Ghana pep rally and watch party ahead of the Black Stars game against Croatia on June 27.
The German Society of Pennsylvania on Spring Garden Street will have watch parties for all of Germany’s games, with food, drink and the matches airing live on the big screen. You can get tickets on the groups website.
Of course, Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street will also be hosting Germany games, along with every other game of the tournament and some friendlies beforehand. The beer hall also plans to take the party outside with five outdoor watch parties during the summer.
Many of the bars that were regular spots for English Premier League games and supporters groups this past season will be safe bets to find screens and crowds during the World Cup as well.
Pride House Philadelphia has nine watch parties lined up.
East Passyunk Avenue will have three block parties.
Mini golf bar and restaurant Libertee Grounds is hosting watch parties and airing the games. They’ve added a twist to the viewing with “Pitch Passports” that earn you rewards the more nations you see there.
Soccer fans who are single and looking to mingle can check out Pitch-A-Friend’s watch party at Lost Time Brewing on June 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Out in Chester, the Philadelphia Union will have free watch parties at its Union Yards space each weekend of the tournament in June. The team has two current players playing in the tournament: Danley Jean Jacques for Haiti and Olwethu Makhanya with South Africa, as well as four Union alums on the U.S. team. You can claim your free tickets to Union Yards at the team’s website.
Local recreational soccer league CASA is holding several watch parties throughout the city
Not a fan of crowds but still want to see the game on the big screen? AMC in Center City’s Fashion District has tickets for games, playing Telemundo’s Spanish-language broadcast.
Play
CASA also cohosts the annual Icarus Cup in Philly, which runs from July 10 to 11 this summer.
Street Soccer USA’s Philly group is also holding its annual free tournament on the Ben Franklin Parkway from June 12 to 14. The volunteer form for the event is still open.
Safehub Philly is hosting a watch party for the opening game of the tournament at its new space, where people can also sign up their kids for the program’s summer leagues and programs.
The Black Sheep Pub will unfortunately not be a World Cup watching spot this summer, after fires forced it to close indefinitely. The pub is holding a 5-a-side tournament on June 21 at Hetzell Field in Fishtown as part of the fundraising efforts to support its staff and reopen its doors sooner rather than later.
Passyunk’s South Philly Barbacoa and Casa Mexico are hosting a community watch party on June 20 from noon to 6 p.m., while 1 p.m. game between the Netherlands and Sweden then the 4 p.m. game between Germany and the Ivory Coast are playing. The event promises a street soccer tournament, family activities and, of course, Chef Cristina Martinez’s James Beard award winning tacos.
Enjoy
For those who might be more interested in the vibrant and diverse cultures coming to Philly this summer than watching or playing soccer, Fairmount’s Records Forever is celebrating the music of the visiting nations and Philly with five free nights of top-tier DJs spinning tunes and genres from around the globe.
Want to enjoy soccer while on the Delaware River? Fans Owned Travel, Philly PR Girl and City Cruises are offering four trips aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia, with a live DJ, food and drink, and rooftop deck views of Philadelphia’s skyline. The cruises are scheduled for the days before four of the Philly games and limited tickets are available on Fans Owned Travel’s site.
Inis Nua Theatre Co. has an American premiere of Scottish play “Same Team” on stage until June 14. The show is about five women competing in the Homeless World Cup. Tickets are available here.
The Museum of the American Revolution has made a guide of the items and exhibits that are related to their home nations.
If you want to learn about Philly’s soccer history, there’s a walking tour run by Andrew Baggaley on June 28.
