The field of dreams – and the story behind it
Its construction partly bankrolled by the City and the holding company sponsors of the same name, Lincoln Financial Field incorporates elements of Philadelphia and host NFL team, Philadelphia Eagles, in its design. The same brick you see in the historic architecture around town, and the same exposed steel in the city’s bridges, while the canopies trace the shape of an eagle’s wings. Yet the main reason Eagles fans love the Linc is for the raucous tailgating parties up to five hours before each game, a tradition set to continue come the World Cup.
Another plus is transportation, a quick ride by SEPTA Metro bringing you from the Center City to the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, established a century ago as exhibition grounds to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
With it came the Sesquicentennial Stadium, later Philadelphia Municipal and then JFK Stadium, a horseshoe-shaped bowl at one point accommodating six-figure crowds, mainly to watch Philadelphia Eagles, and annual Army-Navy football games. It was here that England played Team America in the bicentennial summer of ’76, and rock legends played Live Aid.
The Eagles, the football team that is, had already moved to nearby Veterans Stadium, shared with baseball’s Philadelphia Phlllies and knocked down with the JFK in the early 2000s. In their place have risen the Linc, the Xfinity Mobile Arena and Citizens Bank Park ballpark, home to the Eagles, 76ers, Phillies and Flyers, Philadelphia’s four revered sports teams, as if Wembley, Twickenham, Lord’s and the O2 Arena were clustered in one hub in London.
Its capacity raised to 69,000 for the World Cup, Lincoln Financial Field was where Chelsea beat Palmeiras in the Club World Cup quarter-final in front of 65,782 on July 4, 2025, a trial run for 2026.
Note that if you’re not tailgating, there are drinking options at the Stateside Live! complex next door, but only if you buy a special package deal (from $175) beforehand.
getting here
Going to the stadium – tips and timings
Philadelphia International Airport is seven miles (11km) southwest of Center City, each terminal connected by SEPTA Regional Rail Airport Line to Gray 30th St Station and Suburban Station ($11 on board, $8.75 contactless or with a SEPTA Key card ($4.95) every 30mins, 20-25mins journey time). Each subsequent ride with SEPTA Metro, bus or other transportation is $2.90, including two transfers, valid for up to 2hrs.
The stadium is by NRG Station on the Broad Street Subway Line B, 15mins direct from 15th St/City Hall. Fares stay the same during the World Cup – in fact, the return journey will be free for 2hrs after each game.
Parking spots 5-10min walk from the stadium start at $125, through Just Park. Gray 30th St Station is Philadelphia’s main rail hub, with direct Amtrak trains from New York Penn Station (one-way approx $50, journey time 1hr 30mins).
Philadelphia Taxi Cab Service (+1 215-535-6700) has a $28.50 flat fee from the airport to central Philadelphia.
