2026 is set to be a landmark year for sport in America, and the great city of Philadelphia will be at the heart of it. With major events and global attention converging on Philly, it’s shaping up to be a defining moment in their sporting legacy. To celebrate, the Pennsylvanian city promises a veritable feast of festivities and world-class sporting events.
So if you’re an Aussie sports fan, Philadelphia needs to be on your list of holiday destinations next year. Not only is it locked in as a host city for the FIFA World Cup 2026, but it’s also confirmed to host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, the PGA Championship and USGA Championship, and, of course, the upcoming Philadelphia Eagles NFL season. If you love sport, it’s the place to be.
FIFA World Cup 2026
The City of Brotherly Love is gearing up to host the largest sporting event in the world, with six matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 confirmed for Philadelphia as 48 nations battle it out over six weeks. Taking place at Lincoln Financial Field – home of the Philadelphia Eagles – the games will include five group-stage fixtures, as well as a Round of 16 game on July 4th, which is America’s actual 250th birthday.
If you’re planning annual leave dates, the match schedule is as follows:
- June 14th, Group Stage
- June 19th, Group Stage
- June 22nd, Group Stage
- June 25th, Group Stage
- June 27th, Group Stage
- July 4th, Round of 16
Baseball, Golf & NFL
If soccer isn’t your thing, don’t worry, because it’s only the start of what Philadelphia has to offer in 2026. Before the final World Cup whistle blows, Philadelphia will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park, marking the fifth time the city has welcomed baseball’s midsummer spectacle. Fans can expect Home Run Derby showdowns, All-Star Saturday parties, and a massive line-up of events that promise to bring a festival atmosphere to the entire city.
Golf lovers also have the perfect reason to visit Philadelphia. From May 11th to 17th, the PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, less than an hour’s drive from Philadelphia, where legends like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have lifted the Wanamaker Trophy. A few months later, in August, the USGA Amateur Championship heads to Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, promising nail-biting competition on one of Pennsylvania’s favourite fairways.
And let’s not forget the National Football League, with Philadelphia the home of one of Australia’s favourite NFL teams, the Eagles. Since 1933, the franchise has racked up 15 division titles, five conference championships, three NFL titles, and two Super Bowl victories, and if the last few seasons have been anything to go by, the next will be one to watch.
Game days at Lincoln Financial Field are all energy and atmosphere, with around 68,000 devoted “Birds” fans packing the stands. Get in on the action by arriving in midnight green, and you’ll quickly learn why “Go Birds” is as common a greeting in Philadelphia as “hello.”
Eating & Drinking
All that sporting passion is guaranteed to work up an appetite, which is lucky because Philadelphia’s food scene is unforgettably good, with the MICHELIN Guide recently announcing they will consider Philadelphia’s restaurants for their coveted ratings from 2025. In Chinatown, Sang Kee Peking Duck House serves crispy duck plates, while Old City’s cobblestone streets beckon with Cuban fare at Cuba Libre, farm-to-table elegance at Fork, and the sandwich culture institution Campo’s Philly Cheesesteaks.
Fishtown’s Laser Wolf grills Israeli skewers, and Suraya is your destination for a Lebanese feast, while Rittenhouse Square is the playground of the well-heeled, with destinations such as Parc promising unforgettable brasserie-style fare. If you’re staying in South Philadelphia, you’ll need to visit Pat’s King of Steaks and Geno’s Steaks to make your call on the eternal cheesesteak war.
But the most tempting part of Philadelphia’s hospitality scene for Aussie sports fans is its world-class craft beer scene.
Dating back to William Penn, today’s Philly brew scene is nothing short of legendary, with the likes of Yards Brewing Company in Northern Liberties crafting ales inspired by Philly’s sports teams as well as seasonal flavours. Love City Brewing is another winner, pouring approachable lagers in Centre City, and at Victory Brewing, you’ll enjoy classic lagers like Vienna Vacay.
Hotels
To catch some shut-eye and recharge for the next day of festivities, Philadelphia’s line-up of hotels is one of the more underrated things about the city. The Kimpton Hotel Palomar is just a few blocks from the heart of the CBD, while Loews Philadelphia adds a little more historical charm.
At W Philadelphia, immaculately designed suites overlook the skyline, while Dolce’s Italian menu and a year-round pool deck deliver a taste of Tuscan relaxation. The Notary Hotel marries 1920s design details with modern comforts and Spanish tapas at Sabroso+Sorbo; meanwhile, Fishtown’s Hotel Anna & Bel’s promise boutique rooms with kitchenettes, a heated pool, and the award-winning Bastia restaurant.
Live Music
Another part of Philadelphia’s rich culture is its love of live music. The Kimmel Centre for the Performing Arts on Avenue of the Arts showcases international pop and jazz acts as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra, while in Fairmount Park, the Mann Centre’s outdoor amphitheatre hosts summer concerts. Downtown, Franklin Music Hall (formerly Electric Factory) has spent the last four decades hosting chart-topping acts, and it’s still doing exactly that.
Arts & Culture
Beyond the sporting fields and live music venues, Philadelphia is also a city with an artistic pulse. Take a walk to LOVE Park and you’ll have the chance to see Robert Indiana’s iconic LOVE sculpture, and not far beyond, Benjamin Franklin Parkway takes you right to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The city boasts more than 4,000 murals across its neighbourhoods, so if you’re after a deeper dive into the city’s artistic history, you can book a guided tour with Mural Arts Philadelphia.
In 2026, Philadelphia isn’t just hosting sporting events – it’s putting on a masterclass in how sports, culture, and community can unite a city. From the roar of the crowd at a World Cup match to the quiet moment before the orchestra plays its first note, vibrant excitement is guaranteed in Philadelphia in 2026.
For more information, visit the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau below.
This article is presented in partnership with Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Boss Hunting.
