Governor Shapiro, Visit PA and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Announce Three ‘Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zones’ — Free Public Watch Parties Coming to Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton for FIFA World Cup 2026™

Governor Josh Shapiro and VisitPA join with Philadelphia Soccer 2026 to bring the excitement of FIFA World Cup 2026™ to communities across the Commonwealth.

Philadelphia, PA (March 26, 2026) – Governor Josh Shapiro and Visit PA, in partnership with Philadelphia Soccer 2026 — the 501(c)(3) nonprofit local host committee planning and executing FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches in Philadelphia — today announced the official locations of three “Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zones,” which will bring the electricity of the world’s biggest sporting event to communities across the Commonwealth. The Fan Zones, championed by Governor Josh Shapiro to ensure that every Pennsylvanian can experience the magic of FIFA World Cup 2026™, will be located in Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton — bringing free, world-class public viewing events to tens of thousands of fans.

Branded under Pennsylvania’s dynamic “Visit PA” tourism office, these Fan Zones will amplify and complement Philadelphia’s 39-day FIFA Fan Festival™ at Lemon Hill Park — extending the World Cup’s energy and economic impact far beyond Southeastern Pennsylvania. Each Fan Zone will offer large-screen broadcasts of FIFA World Cup 2026 Knockout Round matches, live entertainment, interactive soccer fan experiences, and more — all designed to be accessible to fans of every background.

Fan Zones will be located in: 

• Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh Football Stadium, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Reading — Reading Arena, a downtown multi-purpose arena 
• Scranton — Lackawanna County Courthouse Square, an iconic outdoor park in the heart of downtown Scranton
  

* Fan Zone events will take place during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Knockout Rounds, July 3–19, 2026, and will be free and open to the public. Each location’s schedule and hours of operation are listed below.

“Pennsylvania is excited to host some of the best games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and these Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zones will bring the action directly to Pennsylvanians all across our Commonwealth with free events where fans can watch the games, gather with friends, and enjoy food, drinks, and live entertainment,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world is an incredible opportunity for our businesses, our communities, and our people. The Commonwealth is all in and we look forward to showing the world what Pennsylvania is all about.”

To support both Fan Zones and statewide legacy initiatives, “The Commonwealth Club” was created in January 2025. This initiative brought together public and private Pennsylvania organizations, and companies, extending beyond the 5-County Philadelphia region, to provide unique fan experiences while also supporting legacy work spearheaded by Philadelphia Soccer 2026 in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. 

Philadelphia Soccer 2026, along with Visit PA, express their shared gratitude to “The Commonwealth Club” for their engagement and support:  

• Berks County
• City of Reading
• City of Scranton
• East Penn Manufacturing
• Experience Reading & Berks County
• Fulton Bank
• Henry L. Hillman Foundation (Pittsburgh)
• Lackawanna County
• Richard King Mellon Foundation (Pittsburgh)
• VisitPITTSBURGH

“A critical reason that Philadelphia was selected as a Host City for FIFA World Cup 2026 was the unwavering support we received from both public and private entities, especially the Commonwealth and Visit PA,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Co-chair, Philadelphia Soccer 2026; Chairman and CEO, Comcast Spectacor.  “However, we always knew two things. First, our hosting responsibilities extended beyond Southeastern Pennsylvania, and second, so many people and organizations wanted to be part of this incredible event. It’s no surprise that so many have rallied together to ensure that Pennsylvania is well positioned for the summer of 2026. To have these Fan Zones across the Commonwealth – in addition to our signature FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill Park in Philadelphia – will fulfill our vision for hosting this event: to unite the Commonwealth in sharing our rich history, heritage, and passion for sports with the world.”

In Pittsburgh, fans will gather on the field itself inside Pittsburgh Stadium (Acrisure Stadium) — home of the Steelers — to watch Knockout Round matches on the stadium’s massive 28-by-96-foot screen. In Reading — a city where nearly 70 percent of the population is Hispanic/Latino — Reading Arena (Santander Arena) will host bilingual watch parties in English and Spanish, reflecting the global spirit of the beautiful game. And in Scranton, the historic Lackawanna County Courthouse Square will be transformed into a vibrant outdoor Fan Zone, with a stage and LED screen wall built on Washington Avenue for crowds of up to 5,000.

The Fan Zones are made possible through the incredible partnership of local organizers across the Commonwealth, including Visit PA, a Host City Supporter of Philadelphia Soccer 2026. In Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh Steelers, VisitPITTSBURGH, and the City of Pittsburgh have been instrumental in bringing the Fan Zone to life. In Reading — where the events will be broadcast in both English and Spanish to serve the city’s vibrant Latino community — community partners include the City of Reading, Berks County Commissioners, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, Experience Reading & Berks County, the Berks Latino Chamber of Commerce, and Santander Arena. In Scranton, the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County Commissioners, and the Lackawanna County Convention & Visitors Bureau are leading the charge, with the Scranton Police and Fire departments deeply engaged in event planning.  

To learn more about planning your trip to Pennsylvania visit: visitpa.com/getaway.  For more information regarding the work of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, please visit PhillyFWC26.com. 

HOURS OF OPERATION:

SCRANTON FAN ZONE

Lackawanna County Courthouse Square  

N. Washington Avenue & Linden Street, Scranton PA

Fan Zone Events

Saturday, July 4, 11 am – 6 pm

1 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match 

5 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match

Sunday, July 5, 2 pm – 9 pm 

4 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match 

8 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match

Monday, July 6, 1 pm – 11 pm

3 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match 

8 pm: Round of 16 Knockout Match 

Saturday, July 18, 3 pm – 8 pm

5 pm: World Cup Bronze Final 

Sunday, July 19, 2 pm – 6 pm

3 pm: World Cup Final

About Visit PA
Visit PA, the official tourism resource of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and part of DCED, leads promotion of the state’s 67 diverse and inviting counties. Lauded as The Great American Getaway, Pennsylvania blends rich history with vibrant cities and tranquil landscapes. From historic battlefields and three UNESCO World Heritage sites to fresh-air adventures across 124 state parks and a thriving arts and culinary scene, authentic moments await around every corner of Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania blends the past, the present, and the exciting future ahead. To learn more about traveling to Pennsylvania, go to the VisitPA website and follow along on social media with @visitpa, #VisitPA, and #PAGetaway.

About Philadelphia Soccer 2026
Philadelphia Soccer 2026 is the operational Host Committee charged with planning and executing FIFA World Cup 26™ for the City of Philadelphia. Established in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it is governed by a fourteen-person Board of Directors that convenes leaders from across the City of Philadelphia and the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For more information, follow us on social media @FWC26Philly.

About FIFA World Cup 26™
FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the largest international sporting event ever staged, with three Host Countries, 16 Host Cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches uniting an entire continent to showcase a momentous new tournament format. With more countries, cities, teams, and games, FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the most inclusive tournament ever, engaging millions of fans across 16 unique stadiums and billions worldwide. The tournament will take place in June and July 2026. For the latest FIFA World Cup 26™ information, please visit the FIFA World Cup 26™ website.

Governor Shapiro, Visit PA and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 Announce Three ‘Pennsylvania World Cup Fan Zones’ — Free Public Watch Parties Coming to Pittsburgh, Reading, and Scranton for FIFA World Cup 2026™ | Press Release

Last modified: March 26, 2026