39-Day FIFA Fan Fest In Philly: Road Closures, SEPTA, Parking For Free Wold Cup Festival

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia officials have released transportation and access plans for the city’s FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park, a free event that will run for all 39 days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament is scheduled from June 11 through July 19, and the festival will include live match broadcasts, cultural programming, music, food vendors and family-friendly activities.

Subscribe

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said the plan is meant to reach residents beyond Center City while limiting disruption near the festival site.

"We want people from across Philadelphia and around the globe to enjoy this historic moment in our city," Parker said in a statement. "At the same time, we are making strategic investments in our public spaces and putting thoughtful plans in place to support the residents and neighborhoods closest to these events, protect quality of life, and keep Philadelphia moving with limited disruption throughout the tournament."

The city said it is investing $450,000 to subsidize PHLASH bus service linking Center City and the Historic District to the festival.

Additional planning includes enhanced SEPTA service, residential parking protections, pedestrian and bicycle access improvements, expanded Indego bike share access, traffic-safety measures, pop-up hospitality hubs and public safety operations.

Road Closures

Road closures will begin before the tournament:

• The local lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed from May 25 through Sept. 7, except for the July 4 concert festivities.
• Streets near Lemon Hill will close beginning at 6 a.m. May 26 for the duration of the festival, with posted temporary no parking restrictions starting after 5 a.m. that day. Those roads are expected to reopen to vehicles by 8 p.m. July 26.
• Waterworks Drive will close daily at 10 a.m. from June 11 through July 19, with controlled access for Waterworks and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

SEPTA

SEPTA said Route 32 will become a frequent weekday route beginning June 14, with service every 15 minutes or less from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Route 48 will add evening service and direct service to Pennsylvania Avenue and Fairmount Avenue. Routes 7 and 49 will also serve Fairmount, and SEPTA plans to deploy articulated vehicles and extra buses as needed.

Parking

There will be no designated private vehicle parking for festival-goers. The Philadelphia Parking Authority said temporary residential parking permits will be required at no cost for all street-parked vehicles in the Lemon Hill area from June 11 through July 19, including current permit holders.

Residents can get updates at phila.gov/2026 or by texting “CUPPHL” to 888-777 for city alerts.

Here's more info on the Philadelphia FIFA Fan Festival.