A long-range shot of a stadium field, floodlights and seating. A green field, with painted white lines, is visible in the foreground. On the foreground a group of fans is celebrating a goal. In the background are diffuse out-of-focus stadium seats. Large, bright floodlights are in the top-left and top-right corners of the image.

The World’s Biggest Soccer Tournament is Coming to Philadelphia in Summer 2026

Soccer fans who bring big energy to the open-air Lincoln Financial Field (rebranded for the games as Philadelphia Stadium) for the 2026 global games, but otherwise prefer a more relaxed pace of life, will find an optimum home away from home on the tree-lined streets of Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. 

The historic neighborhood is known for luxury without pretense, balancing gilded-age charm (thanks to the preservation of the era’s mansions, sculptures, and a reflecting pool) with some of today’s best galleries, theaters, shopping, and dining. What’s more, it provides easy access to the six matches scheduled in the City of Brotherly Love, thanks to public transit options that will deliver spectators to the pitch in just 30 minutes.

Here’s what makes The Rittenhouse Hotel, perched above the Rittenhouse Square’s wrought-iron gates in Philadelphia’s city center, the ideal place to stay for the world’s most anticipated soccer tournament. 

Why Rittenhouse Square Is the Perfect Base for the Upcoming Global Games

Live like a well-heeled local in one of Philadelphia’s most beautiful neighborhoods and enjoy:

  • A central location with easy access to stadiums, major attractions, and public transit.
  • Only-in-Philly experiences, like a literary cocktail party at The Rosenbach Museum & Library, home to some 400,000 rare books and manuscripts (and a gorgeous backyard garden).
  • Convenient public transit: The Rittenhouse Hotel is just a 20-minute walk to 30th Street Station and a 15-minute drive to Philadelphia International Airport.
  • Destination shopping and the best of Philadelphia living, thanks to some of the city’s top boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Browse the five-star collection of lifestyle shops on Walnut Street, including Joan Shepp, which offers an excellent edit of designer clothes and accessories (including Comme des Garçons, Courrèges, and Dries Van Noten). After working up an appetite, try The Rittenhouse’s own French Bistro-inspired Lacroix, which ranks on the city’s best restaurant lists (including Philadelphia Magazine and Eater). 
  • Walkable to buzzy neighborhoods like Midtown Village, University City (catch incredible views and twilight movie screenings from Cira Green, a park atop a 12-story rooftop), and the Parkway museums, which showcase some of the most prized art collections in the world.
  • An elegant, yet relaxed home base for travelers looking to enjoy culture and comfort away from the matches.

Getting to Philadelphia Stadium from Rittenhouse Square

  • Public transit from Rittenhouse Square to Philadelphia Stadium is simple: take SEPTA’s Market–Frankford Line and transfer to the Broad Street Line.
  • Many fans take public transit or rideshares to the stadium — allow about 20-30 minutes’ travel time to get there.
  • With the stadium just minutes away (and days of downtime between each match), there’s plenty of time to explore Philly’s iconic restaurants, unique shops, and diverse culture. 

Where to Stay in Philadelphia

For fans looking to indulge in Philly’s finer side, The Rittenhouse Hotel in Rittenhouse Square provides design-forward comfort in an unbeatable location. Perks include:

Travel Tips for Visiting Philadelphia During the 2026 Global Games

  • Book Early: Hotels will fill up months in advance.
  • Use Public Transit: Use SEPTA for transit for hassle-free transport and zero parking fees.
  • Explore Beyond South Philly: Iconic museums, innovative restaurants, and unique shopping experiences fill the City of Brotherly Love.

Are There Fan Zones or Viewing Parties Planned in Philadelphia?

Known for its die-hard fans, Philadelphia knows how to celebrate sporting events. Join revelers at themed bar nights, outdoor screenings, and neighborhood celebrations around the city (including in Rittenhouse Square, City Center, and South Philly). What’s more, many businesses will host their own fan experiences. Look for watch parties at The Rittenhouse, which will give soccer fans an intimate place to cheer, snack, sip, and socialize just steps from their rooms.

What Else Can I Do in Philadelphia Between Matches?

The tournament schedule may have been designed to give players much-needed downtime between matches, but the days-long gaps in between games also give fans a chance to sightsee in some of America’s most exciting cities. 

In Philadelphia, that means checking out iconic monuments like the Rocky Steps (outside Philadelphia Museum of Art) and Liberty Bell and a few unexpected gems, like the Magic Gardens Museum (a block-long public art installation covered in floor to ceiling mosaic tiles) and the South 9th Street Italian Market, America’s oldest street market made famous in Rocky, and occupied by family-owned groceries, butcheries, cheesemongers, confectionaries (and a few James Beard Award winners, too). 

Right in The Rittenhouse’s backyard is Rittenhouse Square, a well-manicured Beaux-Arts style French commons and one of William Penn’s five original squares. Also closeby: LOVE Park, home to artist Robert Indiana’s iconic and highly Instagrammable LOVE statue; the elegant Norman cathedral-style Masonic Temple, erected in 1873 and onetime headquarters for famous freemasons Benjamin Franklin and George Washington; and the nation’s first art museum and art school, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, an excellent example of Victorian Gothic architecture (while there, don’t miss the museum’s newly renovated Historic Landmark Building). 

These are just a few of the sights that position The Rittenhouse as a key base for enjoying all that Philly has to offer, before, during, and after matches.

When Should I Book My Hotel?

Hotel rooms throughout Philadelphia will sell out early, so it’s best to book accommodations 6–12 months in advance (especially if looking to stay in a central neighborhood near major subway lines, like Rittenhouse Square).

Will There Be Traffic or Road Closures During the Matches?

Yes. On match days, expect heavier traffic around Philadelphia Stadium and on connecting expressways and interstates (including 95, 76, and 291). As such, public transit is recommended. Fans and locals staying in Philadelphia can avoid driving and the stress of parking altogether.

No matter if you’re cheering from the stands, catching the match on a big screen, or exploring the city between games, Rittenhouse Square puts the excitement of the world’s biggest soccer tournament right at your doorstep. Book your stay at The Rittenhouse Hotel now and experience Philadelphia like a local while staying close to all the action.

Posted on by Rittenhouse Hotel