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It’s fair to say the FIFA World Cup took over the summer, Philly’s six games at “Philadelphia Stadium” — which we can thankfully now go back to calling the Linc — brought 409,894 attendees to the stadium over 6 matches, as well as hundreds of thousands to the free Fan Festival site at Lemon Hill and around the city.
Local businesses and organizations got hyped up for the summer of soccer and plenty will be showing the final game on Sunday between defending champions Argentina and 2010 winners Spain.
Here’s our list of some of the best options, as well as some footy related activity to do around kickoff. The game kicks off at 3 p.m. and is airing on Fox’s T.V. and streaming platforms in English, as well as on Telemundo and Peacock for Spanish — or if you too are tired of hearing Alexi Lalas.
Watch
Top Tomato Bar in Center City was the home base for the American Outlaws’ Philly chapter USMNT watch parties, and it will be hosting recreational soccer league CASA’s watch party for the final. There’ll be free Coor’s Light and other giveaways.
Kensington’s Lost Time Brewing is showing the game. It instantly bumped up its soccer cred after Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho stopped by when the team was in town.
Yards Brewing off of Spring Garden Street was also a USMNT venue, and has food and drink specials for all the games. While you’re there you can still try out the “Team BLU.S.A.” blue raspberry slushy or “The Equalizer” Keller Helles Lager that they’ve concocted for the tournament.
Starting at 2 p.m., the Association of Mexican Business Owners in Philadelphia has a block party down 9th Street for the match.
El Mezcal Cantina in Point Breeze and Tamalex Bar and Grill in Society Hill are also showing that game.
Chinatown’s Lion Bar was a packed and popular spot to catch all of the World Cup action, with its 35 screens. For the final, standing room and seating will all be ticketed, with open bar and buffet included. Nearby Yamitsuki Ramen is offering similar guaranteed seating packages.
Brauhaus Schmitz on South Street will take the party outside with its last World Cup outdoor watch parties. Tickets to the outdoor tables are close to selling out. The front room inside the beer hall will be first come first served and tickets are still available for seats in the back room space.
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 a watch party lined up at Center City’s Little Gay Pub for the final, which will also have giveaways, free food and drinks and a screening of the short documentary “We’ll Go Down in History” from 2:30 p.m.
Mini golf bar and restaurant Libertee Grounds added a twist to the viewing this summer with “Pitch Passports” that earn you rewards the more nations you see there. If you need to check the last two off your list now’s your last chance.
Out in Chester, the Philadelphia Union has its Union Yards space playing the game. The team had 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.
Youth soccer nonprofit Safehub Philly is having a watch party from 1 to 6 p.m. in its Kensington headquarters.
Bok Bar in South Philly has extended its hours for Sunday’s game.
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
On Saturday, youth soccer group Soccer Shots are holding free preview classes at the Philadelphia Zoo for ages 2 to 8. You’ll need to check times for the appropriate ages and register through Eventbrite.
Enjoy
The vendors at South Philly’s Punk Rock Flea Market will be selling soccer wares this weekend.
The Museum of the American Revolution has made a guide of the items and exhibits that are related to their home nations.
The National Liberty Museum also has added soccer elements to its sports-themed exhibition, on loan from the DePace Sports Museum in Sewell, N.J.
On Friday, the African American Museum of Philadelphia has a free showing of the documentary “Can We Kick It?” from 6 to 9 p.m.
Want a new tattoo to make memories of your World Cup in Philly more lasting? Artists and places like Olde City Tattoo and Eastern Pass Tattoo Co. are offering to help with the design.
