How the Linc transformed into Philadelphia Stadium for the World Cup
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Photo: Isaac Avilucea/Axios
It took years and hundreds of workers from every corner of the globe to turn Lincoln Financial Field into a World Cup-ready venue.
Why it matters: South Philly's kickoff as an international soccer hub is this weekend, when hundreds of thousands of people will gather for the city's first of six World Cup matches taking place through the Fourth of July.
State of play: The home of the Eagles is now officially Philadelphia Stadium — a temporary rebrand as FIFA strips host venues of non-tournament sponsor branding.
- It boasts a new grass soccer pitch, made with a special blend of Kentucky bluegrass, hauled in from New Jersey-based Tuckahoe Turf Farms, FIFA pitch venue manager David Sandurski said Tuesday during a media tour.
- To keep the pitch in top condition for World Cup matches, it must be hand-mowed up to twice a day — a process that takes about six hours, as workers cover roughly 6 miles on foot.
- The Eagles' locker room has been transformed into a media center where players and coaches will be interviewed after every match.
- Organizers even had to build a special bridge encircling the stadium to help hold 70 miles of cable trucked for the international spectacle, which is being broadcast in more than 95 countries.
Plus: Every host stadium — and Philly's Fan Fest at Lemon Hill — will have sensory rooms for fans who need a break from the crowds and noise.
- To accommodate the thousands of visitors from around the globe, each venue is curating its own food offerings. Philadelphia's menu ranges from cheesesteaks to beet carpaccio.
Zoom out: Several massive structures now surround Philly's sprawling sports complex.
- A logistics compound will help house about 660 dancers who will perform during celebrations on July 4.
- A big tent is dedicated to supporting the thousands of volunteers who will greet fans and help guide spectators around the stadium — a job so selective it makes getting "into an Ivy League school" look easy, FIFA venue director Jolyon Bowman said.
- In Philly, about 27,000 people signed up to volunteer, but only about 2,700 were chosen.
What we're hearing: While crews were still making last-minute adjustments Tuesday, most of the heavy lifting was already complete, and the excitement was palpable.
- "Oh, my god, it's on Sunday," city host executive Meg Kane said.
What's next: The stadium will open three hours before Sunday's match between Ecuador and the Ivory Coast to accommodate fans looking to soak it all up.