Only-in-2026: A Guide to Can't-Miss Live Sporting Events in Philly

The 2026 PGA Championship, one of professional golf’s four major tournaments that make up the Grand Slam, crowns its new champion at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Delaware County, on its par-70, 7,237-yard course in May 2026.

This marks the first time a Philadelphia-area club has hosted the Championship since Gary Player captured the 1962 event, also held at Aronimink. Past PGA Championship winners have included Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson.

Vibe: A high-energy, historic homecoming
Know before you go: Consider taking public transit or rideshare, as there’s no parking allowed on site.

FIFA Fan Festival takes over Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, where anyone interested in basking in the energy of FIFA World Cup 26 can gather for a free, 39-day watch party — complete with giant screens broadcasting live matches, food and beverage vendors, live music and entertainment, and international cultural events.

Oh, and Philly just so happens to be the only U.S. city hosting a Fan Fest for all 39 days of the tournament.

Good for: Anyone wanting in on World Cup fever, Philly-style
Vibe: A kickin’, family-friendly outdoor party

June 14 – July 4, 2026 (select dates)

The eyes of the world turn to Philadelphia Stadium (aka Lincoln Financial Field, home to the NFL’s Eagles) this summer, one of just 11 U.S. stadiums to hold matches during the FIFA World Cup 26 soccer tournament.

The Linc hosts five Group Stage “pool play” matchups — featuring national teams from semi-randomly assigned groups — leading up to a July Fourth Round-of-16 Knockout Stage tilt for the right to advance to the Quarterfinals.

Know before you go: Get to the Linc on SEPTA’s B line for $2.90 with a free ride home.
Don’t miss: Exclusive pre- and post-game partying at Stateside Live!

Philly hosts the 96th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park this July, with a jam-packed All-Star Week ahead of the game, featuring pro and youth games, the first rounds of the MLB Draft, a new three-on-three series, a home run derby and the All-Star Village.

Stars from across the National and American leagues will descend on Philly for the fifth time in the event’s existence — and first ever at “The Bank.”

Good for: Die-hard baseball fans
Don’t miss: The red carpet gala before the big game

Another major sporting event heads to Philadelphia this summer as UFC 330 comes to Xfinity Mobile Arena. It’s been 15 years since the arena hosted a UFC mixed martial arts championship event.

UFC 330 brings its trademarked eight-sided ring, called the Octagon, to provide fans with excellent views of the bout. The fight card and ticket information remain under wraps. Sign up for UFC notifications to be the first to get the details when they become available.

Good for: Lovers of gritty competitions
Vibe: Electric intensity

Women’s professional tennis returns to Philadelphia this summer for the Philadelphia Tennis Classic, a Women’s Tennis Association 125 tournament, on the only U.S. stop on the East Coast ahead of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

Spectators can enjoy sweet views of the city skyline at the host site — the University of Pennsylvania’s Hamlin Tennis Center — with an additional 1,200 temporary seats coming to center court for the event.

Good for: Stellar city skyline views while watching the matches
Vibes: Goosebumps for the return of pro women’s tennis to the city

The Philadelphia Cycling Classic returns to Philly after a decade-long hiatus. The internationally renowned race — a beloved tradition in the city for more than 30 years — returns for the first time since 2016 with both men’s and women’s races.

A 14.4-mile circuit course will take riders down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway through Lemon Hill and up the “Manayunk Wall,” a grueling hill featuring a 17% grade. Ouch. Catch us rooting from the sidelines.

Good for: Sipping brews and hanging with friends to cheer on cyclists
Know before you go: Manayunk transforms into a neighborhood-wide street party during the event.

December 2026

Yo, Adrian! The original Rocky film turns 50 in 2026, and the Italian Stallion’s hometown celebrates the golden anniversary of the movie’s release with a year of Rocky-themed events.

A collaboration between the Philadelphia Visitor Center and the Sly Stallone Shop — along with dozens of Philly sites and attractions like the Philadelphia Art Museum (with its iconic Rocky Steps) — the all-ages fest features a series of activities, special events and activations dedicated to Rocky and other real-life Philly athletes.

Don’t miss: PMA’s Rising Up: Rocky and the Making of Monuments, on view through Sunday, August 2, 2026
Know before you go: The original Rocky statue has temporarily moved inside the museum, with another at the top of the steps.

Philadelphia might just be the best sports city in the nation. Here’s why.

Five pro teams call Philadelphia home turf: the Philadelphia Eagles (football), Flyers (hockey), Phillies (baseball), 76ers (basketball) and Union (soccer), with nearly all of them situated at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Uniforms with “Philadelphia” on the front have featured names of the best to ever play on the back like Schmidt, Chamberlain, Clarke, Bednarik, Carlton, Dawkins and Iverson.

Baseball’s Phillies and football’s Eagles date back to the origins of their leagues. Basketball’s 76ers and hockey’s Flyers achieved marquee status through early and continued success. And soccer’s Union seamlessly joined just this century.

Philly teams know how to win, too, with the Eagles taking two Super Bowl victories (2018 and 2025), the Flyers winning the Stanley Cup twice (1974 and 1975), the Phillies capturing two World Series championships (1980 and 2008), the 76ers taking two titles since moving to Philly (1967 and 1983) and new-kid-on-the-block Union capturing the Supporters’ Shield for best regular season record (2020 and 2025).