Philadelphia, PA – Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 announced the distribution of free FIFA World Cup tickets to 19 community and nonprofit organizations all across Pennsylvania. The organizations will oversee their own ticket distribution.
Governor Shapiro believes the FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that should benefit all Pennsylvanians. That’s why he is working to make the matches free and accessible to as many people as possible – including putting tickets in the hands of community organizations; partnering with Philadelphia Soccer to host three free Fan Zones in Reading, Scranton, and Pittsburgh; and supporting VisitPA’s work to sponsor the FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played between June 11 and July 19th with six matches slated for play in Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field stadium — renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the tournament — including a major Round of 16 match up on the 4th of July. During select matches, Pennsylvania’s free fan zones will offer large-screen broadcasts of matches, live entertainment, interactive soccer fan experiences, and food and beverages.
According to Philadelphia Soccer, the World Cup is estimated to draw 500,000 visitors to Pennsylvania, deliver over $700 million in projected economic impact, and create 6,615 jobs in the Commonwealth.
The nonprofit and community organizations receiving community tickets to FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia are:
- Parks and Recreation: Scranton
- Parks and Recreation: Allentown
- Parks and Recreation: Harrisburg
- Parks and Recreation: Erie
- Parks and Recreation: Pittsburgh
- America250PA
- Carpenters Hall
- World Affairs Council (Youth Ambassadors)
- Pennsylvania West Soccer Association
- Pennsylvania Classic Soccer Park
- Central Penn Youth Soccer
- North Central PA Soccer League
- DuBois Area Youth Soccer Association
- Pocono Youth Soccer League
- Back Mountain Youth Soccer Association
- Greater Wyoming Valley YMCA
- YMCA of Laurel Highlands
- State College Area Youth Soccer Association (SCAYSA)
- Adams County Youth Soccer Association
See what Pennsylvanians are reading and watching about Governor Shapiro’s efforts to make the World Cup more accessible to all Pennsylvanians:
ABC 27: Pennsylvania organizations receive free FIFA World Cup tickets
FOX 29: 700 FIFA World Cup tickets being given to Philadelphia community organizations, Shapiro say