As the world gathers in Philadelphia for FIFA World Cup 26™, Visit PA, the official tourism office for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and Philadelphia Soccer 2026, will welcome visitors with a distinctly local touch as they host Pennsylvania Day at FIFA Fan Festival™ Philadelphia on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 4:00 PM at Lemon Hill.
Presented by the Visit PA Playmakers, Pennsylvania’s official welcome committee for 2026, the rotating group of performers, creators, and community ambassadors will bring the Commonwealth’s personality to life at the FIFA Fan Festival through live entertainment, interactive fan experiences, a main stage performance and Soccer Showdown — pitting Pennsylvania personalities, content creators, and fan favorites against each other in a spirited display of Pennsylvania pride.
“2026 is a once-in-a-generation year where the eyes of the world are on Pennsylvania, and we are thrilled to prove to visitors that we’re the place to be for the FIFA World Cup, and also give them reasons to return,” said Anne Ryan, Deputy Secretary of Tourism for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania Day is our way of bringing a taste of Pennsylvania to the FIFA World Cup Fans who may not have a chance to explore, so they can have a fuller Pennsylvania experience through the people, traditions, and experiences that make the Commonwealth memorable.”
“Soccer is a universal language that brings the world together, and it’s a joy to see people of all cultures and backgrounds come together at FIFA Fan Festival Philadelphia,” said Melissa Piccoli, Chief External Affairs Officer of Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “Pennsylvania Day is an opportunity to share Pennsylvania’s culture and spirit with the visitors joining us for the World Cup and to instill civic pride in residents. We can’t wait to show off the best of Pennsylvania with fans from near and far!”
Pennsylvania Day begins at 4:00 PM on Saturday, June 27, at FIFA Fan Festival and is free to attend. Registration in advance is required to attend. For more information, and to register to attend FIFA Fan Festival Philadelphia, please visit: https://phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.
The schedule of Pennsylvania Day events includes:
- 3:45 PM: Welcome to Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Day with live performances by the Visit PA Playmakers
The Philly Sports Guy Jamie Pagliei, Ben Franklin, West Powelton Steppers & Drum Squad, and Philly Girls Jump to welcome guests
- Induction of Pennsylvania’s Ghanaian and Croatian communities as honorary Visit PA Playmakers ahead of the Ghana vs. Croatia match at 5:00 PM
- Location: FIFA Fan Festival Philadelphia Main Entrance – Sedgley Drive and Kelly Drive
- 4:00 PM: FIFA Fan Festival Opens
- Performance by Visit PA Playmakers’ Project Positive
- Location: Main Stage
- 4:10 PM to 4:30 PM: Visit PA Playmakers’ Present the Pennsylvania Soccer Relay
Hosted by Renee Washington.
The PA Soccer Relay is a Pennsylvania-themed relay race featuring Visit PA Playmakers, mascots and characters including Philadelphia Union’s Phang, Hersh the Hershey Bar, Miss Kiss the Hershey Kiss, Ben Franklin, The Philly Sports Guy, Pittsburgh Dad, and youth participants from the Ghana and Croatia communities. Teams will race oversized, inflatable soccer balls to a PA-themed station, grab Commonwealth-inspired props, and return to tag the next teammate.
- Location: In Front of Main Stage
- 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM: Meet and Greets with Visit PA Playmakers and Mascots
The Playmakers will meet with guests of Fan Festival for photo moments and interaction at the Pennsylvania Pavilion, presented by Visit PA. The Pavilion invites visitors to discover Pennsylvania, a destination that blends vibrant cities, scenic landscapes, cultural attractions, and outdoor adventure. Designed as a dynamic yet restorative space, the Pennsylvania Pavilion gives guests a place to pause and recharge while exploring the extraordinary diversity of the Commonwealth.
- Location: Pennsylvania Pavilion
- Fun and Pennsylvania freebies all Fan Festival long at the Pennsylvania Pavilion.
- Live match broadcasts at FIFA Fan Festival throughout the day, including at 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM.
In recognition of their role in welcoming international visitors throughout 2026, members of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia’s Youth Diplomats program will also be onsite to support Visit PA and will be named honorary Visit PA Playmakers. Representing schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia region, the students will serve as youth ambassadors during Pennsylvania Day, helping connect visitors from around the world with Pennsylvania communities and sharing the spirit of hospitality that defines the Commonwealth. Nearly 100 students from across the region are participating in the Youth Diplomat program led by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, the region’s largest and longest-running international non-profit.
“Our students have been training and preparing for moments like this throughout 2026, where they get to welcome people and visitors of all cultures to Pennsylvania,” said Lauren Swartz, President and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. “We are proud to work with Visit PA and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 to empower our next generation to see themselves as global citizens and leaders, starting by welcoming visitors to their home at Pennsylvania Day.”
