Philadelphia's The Linc Prepares for World Cup Debut

Philadelphia, the "birthplace of America," is ready to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Lincoln Financial Field, affectionately known as "The Linc," will host its first-ever World Cup matches this summer, marking a significant milestone for a city with deep sporting heritage.

Stadium History and Naming

Opened in 2003 at a cost of $512 million, Lincoln Financial Field was at the time the most expensive stadium ever built in the United States and the second-most expensive worldwide, behind Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. The venue is named after Lincoln Financial Group, which purchased naming rights in 2002 for $139.6 million over 21 years, with the partnership extended in 2019 through 2031.

For the World Cup, the stadium will be simply called "Philadelphia Stadium" – a name that truly reflects its location approximately four miles south of downtown Philadelphia.

Home Teams and Sporting Legacy

The stadium serves as the home of the Philadelphia Eagles (NFL) and the Temple Owls NCAA Division I college football team. Philadelphia is one of just six U.S. cities to boast championships in all four major professional sports leagues: NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL.

"The Eagles have made it their home ever since, but the Phillies left for a new venue, the baseball-specific Citizens Bank Park, a year later," the article notes. The Eagles have enjoyed tremendous success at The Linc, including winning Super Bowl LII and Super Bowl LIX, with decisive NFC Championship game victories over the Minnesota Vikings (38-7 in 2018) and Washington Commanders (55-23 in 2025).

Capacity and Attendance Records

The stadium typically operates at around 67,500 capacity for NFL games, but this will be slightly reduced to approximately 65,827 for World Cup matches. The record attendance was set at an Ed Sheeran concert in 2023, when 77,900 fans packed the venue. The record for a soccer match stands at 69,879, set during a pre-season friendly between Liverpool and Arsenal in 2024, with Arne Slot's side winning 2-1.

Field Preparations

Work has begun to replace the Bermuda grass surface used by the Eagles with a hybrid turf that blends natural and synthetic grass fibers. This is the same surface used at several Australian venues for the 2023 Women's World Cup and by Manchester City and Real Madrid for their training grounds.

Weather Conditions

Fans should prepare for warm and humid conditions. Summer temperatures in Philadelphia typically range from 84F (29C) to around 91F (33C), with humidity often exceeding 70 percent. The urban heat island effect, where major cities become significantly hotter than nearby rural areas, will also impact spectators.

The Linc is an open-air stadium with no dome or roof, so fans attending afternoon matches such as Curacao vs Ivory Coast (4pm local kick-off) or France vs Iraq and Croatia vs Ghana (both 5pm kick-offs) are advised to pack hats, sunscreen, and water bottles.

Stadium Modifications for World Cup

The stadium was built in 2003 with the potential to host soccer tournaments in mind. Four removable corners were installed to accommodate a larger playing field, and those corners were modified in 2019 to make the removal and re-installation process more straightforward. This process will get underway ahead of the tournament to allow for FIFA's sideline sponsorship boards and team dugouts.

In keeping with FIFA's branding rules, any reference to Lincoln Financial Field or the Eagles' sponsors will be removed from inside and outside the stadium.

Transportation and Access

One of the most straightforward World Cup stadiums to access, The Linc offers excellent public transportation options. International visitors can use SEPTA, Philadelphia's subway system, with the Broad Street (B1/Orange) line to NRG station, situated a short walk from the stadium. The ride costs approximately $3 and takes around 25 minutes from Center City.

Complimentary rides from The Linc will be available from half-time and will run for two hours after the final whistle, covered by the Philadelphia host committee and funded by Airbnb. For the more adventurous, cycling the four-mile journey down South 10th Street or walking the hour-long route from Center City are viable options.

The Famous Tailgating Culture

Eagles fans are known to be among the most raucous in U.S. sports – so much so that police regularly "grease the poles" before NFL games in an attempt to prevent supporters from climbing them. This vibrant tailgating culture promises to translate to the World Cup.

Philadelphia's World Cup fan fest will offer free entry for the duration of the tournament, and there are no tailgating bans at The Linc for fans with a game ticket and parking pass. The K-Lot and Jetro Lot are recommended for the most authentic atmosphere.

Must-See Stadium Features

Visitors shouldn't miss the "Philly Special" statue outside the stadium – a nine-foot-tall monument depicting the discussion between quarterback Nick Foles and head coach Doug Pederson at Super Bowl LII, ahead of tight end Trey Burton throwing a touchdown pass to Foles. In that game, with the Eagles beating the New England Patriots 41-33 to win their first Super Bowl, Foles became the first player to throw and catch for a touchdown in the event's history.

For those without time to visit one of Philadelphia's legendary cheesesteak locations, options inside the stadium include Chickie's and Pete's, famous for their "crabfries."

A Unique Feature: The Stadium Jail

For those curious about Eagles fans' passion, there's a holding center in the bowels of the stadium to deal with the most unruly supporters. This tradition traces back to Veterans Stadium, The Linc's predecessor, which actually had a functioning courtroom installed where judges waited on game days to handle unruly fans after one fan fired a flare gun into empty seats across the field in 1997.

Scheduled World Cup Matches

The following matches are scheduled at Philadelphia Stadium:

• June 14: Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (7pm local)
• June 19: Group C: Brazil vs Haiti (9pm local)
• June 22: Group I: France vs Iraq (5pm local)
• June 25: Group E: Curacao vs Ivory Coast (4pm local)
• June 27: Group L: Croatia vs Ghana (5pm local)
• July 4: Round of 16: Winner Match 74 vs Winner Match 77 (5pm local)