Philadelphia Parking Authority to require residential parking permits in neighborhoods near FIFA Fan Festival
This June and July, expect additional parking restrictions in Philadelphia's residential neighborhoods near the FIFA World Cup 26 Fan Festival.
The Philadelphia Parking Authority says it will require temporary parking permits for any cars parked on residential streets near the festival grounds at Lemon Hill.
Map shows parking enforcement areas for 2026 FIFA Fan Festival in Philadelphia
The impacted streets are located across the Fairmount, Brewerytown and Strawberry Mansion neighborhoods.
Restrictions will be enforced for the duration of the monthlong festival, from Thursday, June 11 to Sunday, July 19.
You can see a map of the impacted area above, or check the PPA's website, Philapark.org/Lemonhill, for an interactive map linked here.
Why will I need a residential parking permit for the FIFA Fan Festival?
A spokesperson says this is being done to keep the streets clear for residents to park without the hassle of festival traffic.
The neighborhoods are densely packed with rowhomes and apartments without attached parking, so many residents park their cars on the street.
How do I get a parking permit during the FIFA Fan Festival?
The PPA says you should get your documents together, including proof of your residency and your Pennsylvania vehicle registration for the vehicle that needs a permit.
Then you can fill out the application on their website or in person at the PPA's office on 8th Street in Center City.
Once you apply, the PPA will register your vehicle as a residential permitted vehicle and mail you two visitor day passes. This will be a physical tag you can hang in your car to verify you registered your vehicle as a resident.
If you don't have a vehicle, you can still get these passes by providing proof of residency.
What are the parking restrictions during the FIFA Fan Festival?
During the festival, the PPA will increase patrols in the areas near Lemon Hill and monitor for vehicles that are not registered.
There is no parking for the festival at Lemon Hill. Fans are being instructed to take public transportation, walk, or use ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.
Local officials say SEPTA will be adding additional bus capacity for the festival, and the Philly PHLASH tour bus will have a new stop at the corner of Fairmount and Pennsylvania avenues to help connect fans to the festival.
Philadelphia residents near FIFA Fan Festival react to parking restrictions
Officials are expecting anywhere from 5,000 to 30,000 people per day for about 40 days straight for the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill.
But a lot of people who live in the area said they're worried about whether the permit will actually protect their parking.
"Everybody's been unanimously stressed out," said Steven Jon, who lives in Brewerytown.
"I think that it's going to be super overcrowded and I don't know if we are going to have control of that," said Selene Nunez, who lives in Brewerytown.
Karl Carlson, another Brewerytown resident, said some of the plans were poorly laid out.
"Obviously, people who live here already have residential parking permits," Carlson said. "Now, we have to get another permit."
Olivia Johnson, of Brewerytown, said she thinks it's going to be a problem for people who just recently moved into the neighborhood, who haven't switched their tags.
"I'm also considering just moving my car somewhere for the entire month and not dealing with it because I have gotten plenty of PPA tickets already," Johnson said. "I don't need more."
