June 16, 2026
Kyle Ross/Imagn Images
Ecuador fans packed Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday to witness the first World Cup match played in Philly.
It's less than a week into the World Cup and Philadelphia is already fully embracing its chance to host the biggest soccer tournament on the planet.
The FIFA Fan Festival drew thousands for the opener on a scorching hot Thursday afternoon and thousands more came to Lemon Hill the next night to watch the U.S. team's impressive 4-1 win over Paraguay. Then Lincoln Financial Field hosted nearly 70,000 people for the city's inaugural World Cup match — a 1-0 Ivory Coast victory over Ecuador that included a winner in the 90th-minute.
MORE: Here's what to expect if you plan to go to the FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill
Before the game, Ecuadorean fans took over the steps outside the Philadelphia Art Museum and put a jersey on the Rocky Statue — an ill-advised move that added them to a long line of fanbases that were jinxed by playing dress-up with the Italian Stallion.
There are still five more matches left in Philly, with the Brazil-Haiti matchup on deck for Friday. While expensive ticket prices don't seem to be coming down, the Fan Festival provides a free outlet of soccer addicts and anyone who's just here for the moment. Just be mindful of the parking situation.
Here are some photos that capture the atmosphere around the city — from the build-up, to the FIFA Fan Festival to the first match at the Linc.
A flag hangs at City Hall as Philadelphia prepares to host its first World Cup.
Lincoln Financial Field has been temporarily renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the World Cup, but the Eagles' presence remains.
Soccer fans at the FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill gravitate toward the shade as they take in the World Cup opener between Mexico and South Africa on a hot Thursday afternoon.
The free FIFA Fan Festival is more than a watch party, with games and activities scattered around the grounds in Lemon Hill.
The FIFA store at the Fan Festival sells jerseys, T-shirts, soccer balls, stuffed toys and more.
Fans celebrate the U.S. men's national team's 4-1 victory over Paraguay at the FIFA Fan Festival in Lemon Hill on Friday night.
The listed attendance on Lincoln Financial Field for Sunday's game between Ecuador and the Ivory Coast was 68,274.
Rapper Jay-Z was seen inside Lincoln Financial Field before Sunday's match between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.
Ecuador fans packed Lincoln Financial Field for their team's game against Ivory Coast on Sunday night. Ivory Coast won 1-0.
Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring a 90th-minute goal in a 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Ivory Coast fans celebrate after the lone goal scored in their team's 1-0 win over Ecuador.
