You don’t need a ticket to experience the World Cup in Philly

So you can’t afford an astronomically priced ticket when the World Cup arrives in Philly this summer?

Not to worry.

While the six World Cup games at Lincoln Financial Field from June 14 to July 4 will certainly get top billing, the city will be humming with soccer-related programming, offering numerous ways for residents and visitors to feel connected to the action.

“Not everyone in our city, unfortunately, is going to get to go to the games,” said Elizabeth Clinton, development manager at Safe-Hub, a Kensington-based youth soccer organization, and a board member for the CASA Soccer Leagues. “But there are going to be so many ways we as a community can enjoy the World Cup.”

From watch parties to soccer camps to LEGO World Cup trophy replicas, here’s how to feel the energy when the world’s largest sporting event comes to town.

Lemon Hill will no doubt be the beating heart of the city’s soccer action this summer, with a high-profile fan fest running from June 11 to July 19 in East Fairmount Park. But there are plenty of places that are likely to see fan gatherings throughout the city.

At Union Yards and Reaney Street, outside of Subaru Park, the Philadelphia Union will host what the team is calling “Soccer Celebration.” There, you’ll find dedicated viewing areas for select World Cup matches, interactive fan activities, giveaways, and live music — while food offerings will rotate to include menu items specific to competing nations. Entry is free with advanced registration.

For the theatrically inclined, select AMC Theatres locations — including Cherry Hill and Bensalem — will be showing Telemundo’s live Spanish-language broadcasts of certain games, with advance tickets available through the AMC website.

Officials are also expecting various neighborhoods across the city to be hubs of action depending on the matchups. When Brazil plays on June 19, for instance, there figures to be a good amount of energy along Castor Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia, home to a sizable Brazilian population.

If you feel like pulling on a pair of boots and hitting the pitch yourself, you’ll find no shortage of options.

CASA Soccer Leagues — the region’s largest independent amateur soccer league — will host a World Cup-style adult soccer tournament from May through July at various sites across the city, from South Philadelphia to the campuses of Temple University and Drexel University.

The group also hosts regular pick-up games, as well as beginner programs for those hoping to learn the sport.

“Adults who want to try a new sport and get involved and learn a little bit,” said Clinton. “Every week, you’ll come, a coach will kind of teach the group the basics of soccer, [and] you can just come in your sneakers.”

(For those looking to socialize without all the running, the organization is also planning a slew of watch parties.)

Down the road in Chester, the WSFS Bank Sportsplex boasts a number of playing fields and is a regular hive of activity.

“There’s soccer there almost every day of the week,” said Mike Blankemeyer, travel director for Sons of Ben, an independent supporters group for the Philadelphia Union. “I go over the bridge a lot for work, and there’s always somebody out there on the pitches.”

What Lemon Hill is for adults, Safe-Hub Philadelphia hopes to be for kids.

The Kensington-based organization, which uses soccer to create safe spaces to the community, is planning a number of youth-focused events throughout the course of the World Cup festivities — among them, the Grassroots Cup on June 13-14, a youth tournament featuring more than 300 kids.

“We really want to use the World Cup as a way to get kids in the door,” said Clinton. “To experience a love of the game and be in a safe space that’s really soccer-centered.”

In addition to being a mecca of soccer gear and merchandise — including a LEGO replica of the World Cup trophy — Soccer Post Cherry Hill has seven TVs that will be tuned to the World Cup.

The site will also host a four-day soccer camp for kids ages 8-11, running from August 24-27, that will include various forms of training and conclude with a mock-World Cup tournament.

And for the more bookish young fan, Free Library of Philadelphia is slated to offer soccer-themed programming throughout the spring and summer.

If being on the fringes of the action isn’t quite enough, there’s always the option of simply wading into the eye of the storm.

“Even if I don’t get tickets, I’ll probably head down to the [Lincoln Financial Field], just to experience what it’s about,” said Chris Turk, 54, of Fairmount, a contributor to The Philly Soccer Page, a website devoted to the city’s soccer scene.

“I think Philadelphia is really gonna put on an awesome showing,” he added. “[And] I think people who come here this summer for soccer are going to be amazed by how cool Philadelphia is.”