COUNCILMEMBER ISAIAH THOMAS LEADS HEARING ON PHILLY’S 2026 PREPAREDNESS

Civic leaders convened to identify what is needed to make America's 250th birthday a lasting success

PHILADELPHIA, PA- Councilmember Isaiah Thomas and City Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight convened industry leaders to a hearing at Independence Visitor Center on Monday to assess the city's preparedness for 2026 - America's 250th birthday and the year Philly will host the FIFA World Cup, MLB All Star Game, and other marquee events.

The Committee heard from the public-private partners and stakeholders that will be providing programming and activities for Philadelphia in 2026. They urged the Council to leverage partnerships with the Commonwealth to deliver between $50 to $100 million in combined local and state funding. Stakeholders project that millions of visitors from across the country and globe will contribute over an estimated $1 billion in local economic impact.

Angela Val, President and CEO of Visit Philadelphia, said that "as the birthplace of America and modern democracy, Philadelphia is uniquely positioned to be the epicenter of the 250th celebrations." Situated centrally along the Northeast Corridor, Philadelphia could serve as a waypoint for various events outside the city and region in 2026.

The premier event of the year will be the FIFA World Cup, secured by Philadelphia Soccer 2026 and Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau. Meg Kane, CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, said that the six games and FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill will bring half a million visitors to the city over 40 days. "We must rise to this generational occasion and deliver," Kane said, "not just for the success of 2026 on the global stage but the for the success of 2027 and beyond." Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Gregg Caren echoed the point, saying that, PHLCVB's "ultimate goal is to not look back on 2026 as a spike year, but as a new plateau, a launch pad for future years in our tourism economy."

Councilmembers Jeffery Young (D- 5th District) and Quetcy Lozada (D- 7th District) led questioning to understand how events and programming will serve every neighborhood in the city, not just Center City. The city's 2026 Director, Michael Newmuis pointed to the Commercial Corridors Gateway Program, in which the Commerce Department, Visit Philadelphia and Philadelphia 250 collaborate to improve storefront infrastructure, promote businesses online, and provide event management services for businesses along commercial corridors throughout the city.

"This Council is dedicated to ensuring Philly's 2026 festivities create immediate and long term economic impact and continue to drive tourism and attention to the city, "Councilmember Isaiah Thomas said. "It is essential that we put our best foot forward to make sure our 250th birthday creates lasting success for businesses and Philadelphians from every corner of the city ."

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