Skip to content
Soccer

Philly’s final World Cup game is going to be hot. Here’s how fans can beat the heat.

Soccer fans heading to Philly for the round of 16 match will be enduring another day of a brutal heat wave when temperatures are forecast to top out near 100, with steamy, shirt-soaking humidity.

Expecting another sold-out game for the final match in Philadelphia on July 4, FIFA says it's going to great lengths to help fans mitigate the anticipated high temperatures.
Expecting another sold-out game for the final match in Philadelphia on July 4, FIFA says it's going to great lengths to help fans mitigate the anticipated high temperatures. Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
    by Kerith Gabriel and Anthony R. Wood
    Published 

Philadelphia’s final World Cup game on July 4 will feature plenty of red, white and blue both inside and outside the stadium when tournament favorite France returns to the city for a round-of-16 knockout round against Paraguay on Saturday (5 p.m., Fox29).

But the fans will be enduring another day of a brutal heat wave when temperatures are forecast to top out near 100, with steamy, shirt-soaking humidity.

In addition, potentially strong storms are possible around game time.

With another anticipated sold-out crowd packing Philadelphia Stadium, FIFA says it is proactively taking steps to help fans beat the heat, planning to place cooling tents with water available to fans “within the stadium footprint at the Stadium Fan Experience,” located just inside the main gates.

Lincoln Financial Field, known as "Philadelphia Stadium," is set to host its final game in this World Cup, a Round of 16 game between France and Paraguay on Saturday.
Lincoln Financial Field, known as "Philadelphia Stadium," is set to host its final game in this World Cup, a Round of 16 game between France and Paraguay on Saturday. Read moreKerith Gabriel

Additionally, FIFA reminds all fans that they may bring one 20-ounce soft-plastic water bottle into the stadium upon arrival. For those who recall, the resized bottle came only after FIFA last month reduced the size from 1 liter to 20 ounces, following an initial pullback from allowing fans to bring in water altogether. After much pushback, soccer’s governing body relented and allowed the reduced size of an unopened bottle upon arrival as the guideline for all 16 venues.

» READ MORE: France and Paraguay will meet on July 4 in Philadelphia’s last World Cup game

“FIFA is committed to protecting the health and safety of all players, referees, fans, volunteers and staff through a tiered heat mitigation model,” a FIFA spokesperson told The Inquirer via statement. “Through close collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, medical experts and emergency authorities, FIFA remains committed to delivering a safe, resilient and memorable tournament experience for everyone involved.”

Fans attending matches have found ways to beat the heat through metallic cups, keeping drinks colder for longer, offered at the stadium with the purchase of a beverage.
Fans attending matches have found ways to beat the heat through metallic cups, keeping drinks colder for longer, offered at the stadium with the purchase of a beverage. Read moreKerith Gabriel / Staff
Where to find water inside Philadelphia Stadium
What time can fans enter the stadium?
What’s happening at the FIFA Fan Festival?

Where to find water inside Philadelphia Stadium

If you’re looking to refill your water bottle once inside or just don’t want to wait in long lines at concessions for one, here’s a listing of where all of the water fountains are located in the concourses of each level.

  1. 100 Level: Sections 103, 118, and 122

  2. 200 Level: Sections 204 and 222

  3. Club Level: Sections C3, C19, C24, and C38

Four of the five matches in Philadelphia have been announced sellouts with Saturday's final Philly game expected to be the same amid high temperatures.
Four of the five matches in Philadelphia have been announced sellouts with Saturday's final Philly game expected to be the same amid high temperatures.Read moreTyger Williams / Staff Photographer

What time can fans enter the stadium?

Fans can enter the stadium and seek shade in the concourses as early as 2 p.m. when gates will officially open, according to a FIFA spokesperson. Teams will emerge for warm-ups one hour before kickoff, and the pregame ceremony will begin 30 minutes before kickoff. For fans looking to head down early via SEPTA’s Broad Street Line, there will be select express trains to the stadium, with SEPTA planning to run additional trains on game day. Fare will be $2.90 as customary, with the return ride after the game free for all fans for up to two hours after the match.

» READ MORE: Made by History: After a century of false starts, soccer has taken off in the U.S.

What’s happening at the FIFA Fan Festival?

FIFA’s Fan Festival, organized by Philadelphia Soccer 2026, will be just one part of a host of activities planned on July 4 along the Parkway, including the scheduling of a massive concert currently under a bit of controversy.

However, passing all of that, the last stop on Philly’s PHLASH bus that goes along the Parkway will stop at the Fan Festival, which is scheduled to open its gates at noon on Saturday, showing the first round of 16 match of the day between Canada and Morocco (1 p.m., Fox29).

Event officials say soccer fans gathering to watch Philly's final game at the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill will have several ways to beat the heat.
Event officials say soccer fans gathering to watch Philly's final game at the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill will have several ways to beat the heat.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer

Nothing is expected to change from what fans can bring onto the festival grounds from the items clearly marked on a longstanding list that was promoted during the Fan Festival’s Know Before You Go campaign released in early June.

Bottles are allowed on Fan Festival grounds and don’t have to be of the disposable variety, as canisters up to 32 ounces are allowed — but they must be plastic. Additionally, FIFA Fan Festival allows fans to bring their own personal misting fans as well, but the water container can’t exceed 1.5 liters, and handheld fans cannot be battery-operated.

» READ MORE: Pennsylvania’s tourism office believes Philly could exceed visitor and economic impact goals at the World Cup

Melissa Ferdinand, spokesperson for Philadelphia Soccer 2026, told The Inquirer that times are already being adjusted for Thursday and Friday to mitigate fans entering at the hottest part of the day, with temperatures expected to reach triple digits. On Saturday specifically, Ferdinand reiterated what’s on-site and what fans can bring to stay cool and enjoy the match.

“FIFA Fan Festival Philadelphia has a variety of ways to help attendees beat the heat and enjoy the event safely,” Ferdinand said. “Cooling tents, misting tents, free water refill stations, shaded areas and multiple medical stations are available for anyone feeling the effects of the heat. Additionally, attendees are encouraged to bring a refillable water container with them.”

The Inquirer logo
Watch the latest episode!

In this World Cup, underdogs are stealing the spotlight, the U.S. men are on a roll, and Philadelphia has not only welcomed the world but has given visitors a crash course on just how real the curse of the Rocky Statue can be.

Join Jonathan Tannenwald, the Inquirer's soccer writer, and host Lisa Carlin, analyst for CBS Sports Golazo, as they dissect the matches, the moments, and more as Philly has its moment in soccer's brightest spotlight. Watch our latest episode right here. 

Watch previous episodes:

Episode 1: The Wait is Over! 
Episode 2: Groups, Goals, and Glory
Episode 3: Electric Action in Philly

    KG
    Kerith Gabriel
    Anthony R. Wood
    Instagram
    I am a staff writer and a weekend editor. I write about a variety of subjects, but most often about the neighborhood where we all live — the atmosphere.