Harrisburg, PA – As Pennsylvania prepares to welcome thousands of residents and visitors for a series of high-profile events over the next several weeks, including the FIFA World Cup 2026 and America 250 celebrations, the Shapiro Administration encourages everyone to prioritize personal preparedness when attending large gatherings to make the most out of these experiences.
These events are an exciting opportunity to showcase everything Pennsylvania has to offer. With large crowds comes shared responsibility. A little preparation can go a long way in ensuring you, your family, and your friends stay safe while enjoying these exciting experiences.
— Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield
“With several large-scale events expected to bring tens of thousands of people to the Commonwealth in the coming weeks, public safety is our top priority,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “The PSP remains committed to working with our federal, state, and local partners to develop comprehensive security plans. We will assess potential risks and threats to ensure that the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the America 250 celebrations can be enjoyed safely by fans, residents, and visitors.”
State agencies and partners have been preparing for these events for months. As the spotlight shines on Pennsylvania, PEMA and PSP are asking event goers to take a moment to prepare before attending these extraordinary events being hosted right here in the Keystone State.
Plan Ahead
- Know the event location, entry points, and emergency exits
- Identify meeting locations in case your group becomes separated
- Check weather conditions and have several ways to receive weather alerts
- Plan to contact someone out of the area through text messaging should an emergency occur and networks become overwhelmed so they know you are safe and not in need of assistance
- Download any tickets and maps in advance to avoid slow internet connections
Pack Smart
- Bring only necessary items and follow venue security guidelines
- Keep your cell phone fully charged
- Carry essential medications and personal care items with you
- Pack your insurance cards and identification
- Pack clothes for changing weather conditions
Stay Informed
- Monitor official event updates and local alerts
- Download any smartphone applications specific to the event and allow push notifications
- Follow instructions from law enforcement and event staff
- Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity through the See Send app or by contacting law enforcement directly.
Travel Safely
- Allow extra time for traffic, parking, and security screening
- Use public transportation when available
- Never block emergency access routes
- Keep a small emergency kit in your car with some non-perishable food and water
Child Safety
- Snap a picture of your child that day so you have an up-to-date image of what they’re wearing if needed
- Show kids what staff and helpers look like, point out help areas, and agree on a meeting spot if you get separated
- Give children wristbands or cards with your contact information in case they get lost, or place your contact information on your child’s phone lock screen if they have one to assist event staff in reuniting them with you
Additional preparedness information on large-venue safety is available on the Ready PA website.
Travelers can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting 511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following local alerts on X.