PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Road closures have begun ahead of the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park next month.
The event doesn’t kick off until June 11, but several streets are already shut down. Among them: Sedgley Drive, from Kelly to Poplar drives, and from Girard Avenue to Lemon Hill Drive.
FIFA Fan Fest is free, but registration is required to attend.
Residents who live in the Lemon Hill area must also sign up for a temporary parking permit. The Philadelphia Parking Authority said it’s taking about five days to process applications ahead of the enforcement period, which starts on June 11.
Even current permit holders must have a temporary permit to avoid being ticketed and towed during the event.
When is the FIFA Fan Festival?
The FIFA World Cup takes place from June 11 to July 19. Philadelphia is hosting six World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field:
Sunday, June 14, 7 p.m. | Group E (Ivory Coast vs. Ecuador)
Friday, June 19, 8:30 p.m. | Group C (Brazil vs. Haiti)
Monday, June 22, 5 p.m. | Group I (France vs. Iraq)
Thursday, June 25, 4 p.m. | Group E (Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast)
Saturday, June 27, 5 p.m. | Group L (Croatia vs. Ghana)
Saturday, July 4, 5 p.m. | Round of 16 (Winner Match 74 vs. Winner Match 77)
Philadelphia’s FIFA Fan Festival will be open for all 39 days of the tournament, featuring live match broadcasts and watch parties, music, food vendors, and family-friendly activities.
Remember, you must register to attend. Find event hours here.
Residents can sign up for the latest updates from the city by texting “CUPPHL” to 888-777.
READ MORE: All the big events coming to Philadelphia this summer
Road closures
The local lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed from Memorial Day, May 25, to Labor Day, Sept. 7, except during Fourth of July celebrations. The local lane closure gives more access to pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging them to walk or bike between Center City and Lemon Hill.
For the FIFA Fan Festival, the following streets will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. on May 26:
- Sedgley Drive from Kelly Drive to Poplar Drive
- Poplar Street from Poplar Drive to 30th Street (local access maintained)
- Poplar Street from 29th Street to 30th Street (westbound only; local access maintained)
- Poplar Drive from Sedgley Drive to Girard Avenue
- Sedgley Drive from Girard Avenue to Lemon Hill Drive
- Lemon Hill Drive & N. Lemon Hill Drive (Loop Road)
These roads will remain closed for the duration of the festival and will be reopened to vehicular traffic by 8 p.m. on July 26.
From June 11 through July 19, Waterworks Drive will be closed at 10 a.m. each day for the duration of the Fan Festival, with controlled access for Waterworks and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Waterworks Drive will be available for general parking each morning until 9 a.m.
Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.
Residential parking
Residents who live in the Lemon Hill area must sign up for a temporary event parking permit, even if they already have a permanent parking permit. The temporary parking permit is free. Residents in the area must apply online at philapark.org/lemonhill or in person at the PPA Permit Office at 35 N. Eighth St.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority said it’s taking about five days to process applications ahead of the enforcement period, which takes place from June 11 to July 19.
How to get there
The FIFA Fan Festival will take place at Lemon Hill Park (1 Lemon Hill Drive). The entry point is at Kelly and Sedgley drives. There is no public parking at the event site.
Public transit
Festival attendees can take the Philly PHLASH bus to Stop 9 on the Downtown Loop. The stop is located at Pennsylvania and Fairmount avenues, about a 15-minute walk from the entrance of the festival. PHLASH runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, but the Downtown Loop will extend service on days when the Fan Fest goes beyond 6 p.m.
SEPTA is enhancing bus service along several routes. Starting on June 14, Route 32 will become a frequent route on weekdays only with 15-minute or less service from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Route 48 will add extra service in the evenings and provide direct service to a central drop-off and pick-up point at Pennsylvania and Fairmount avenues. Routes 7 and 49 also provide service to Fairmount, with stops within walking distance of the festival.
Ride-sharing
Ubers and Lyfts will have limited access near the event due to traffic and road closures. Designated pick-up and drop-off locations will be situated outside the immediate Fan Festival area and may require additional walking time for riders.
Walking and biking
The local lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed from Memorial Day, May 25, to Labor Day, Sept. 7, except during Fourth of July celebrations. The local lane closure gives more access to pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging them to walk or bike between Center City and Lemon Hill.
The Schuylkill River Trail will be open and accessible across the street from the Fan Festival, adjacent to Boat House Row.
There will be bike parking available at Lloyd Hall and near the Indego Station Hub at Fan Festival.
For more information, visit phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.
Rroad closures, public transit, residential parking, event registration, and more below
Rroad closures, public transit, residential parking, event registration, and more below
