Philadelphia region's 2026 tourism outlook
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The biggest events set for the Philadelphia region in 2026 could bring an estimated $1 billion economic impact to the metro, per the area's top international tourism agency.
Why it matters: Philly's hotels, restaurants and businesses could be in for heady times from the tourism blitz.
Driving the news: More than 1 million visitors are projected to attend 22 so-called citywide events this year, including World Cup matches and tabletop gaming convention PAX Unplugged, per data from the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- Attendees of those events are estimated to spend $950 million.
Plus: 1.5 million overnight visits are forecast.
How it works: Citywide events, defined as those booked by the convention bureau, are expected to generate more than 2,000 hotel room stays on their peak night.
The intrigue: The region's total tourism impact is expected to grow.
- That's because the agency's estimate doesn't include all of the more than 200 meetings, conventions and sporting events it has booked this year.
Zoom in: The biggest draw to the region is, of course, the six World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field, which are forecast to attract 450,000 visitors, per the agency. That's followed by:
- PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club: 200,000
- MLB All-Star week: 100,000 attendees
- NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball tournament: 60,000
- Northeast Volleyball Qualifier: 59,500
- PAX Unplugged: 42,000
What they're saying: "The concentration of major events in 2026 will drive visitor spending, support hospitality jobs and put Philadelphia in front of national and global audiences," Gregg Caren, president and CEO of the convention bureau, tells Axios.