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Some Philadelphians are having World Cup host anxiety

High costs and travel headaches top the list of worries, per a new survey.

News

With the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/30/world-cup-tailgating-philly-lincoln-financial-field" data-vars-content-id="03cf4d59-a515-43ec-ace4-17fe381f45d7" data-vars-headline="Some Philadelphians are having World Cup host anxiety" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/04/30/world-cup-tailgating-philly-lincoln-financial-field" target="_self">World Cup</a> just weeks away, Philadelphia is gearing up for soccer mania — but not everyone&#x27;s cheering.Why it matters: Some residents plan to sit it out, dreading the crowds, costs and disruptions that could come with welcoming more than half a million visitors for a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle.

Philadelphia's World Cup parking passes cost up to $620

Add this to the growing costs of seeing a match in person.

Sports

Securing a parking spot at Lincoln Financial Field during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/fifa-world-cup-philadelphia-schedule-lincoln-financial-field" data-vars-content-id="a015b19c-6481-410f-ac35-5281e523f24b" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s World Cup parking passes cost up to $620" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/12/08/fifa-world-cup-philadelphia-schedule-lincoln-financial-field" target="_self">World Cup matches</a> won&#x27;t be cheap.Why it matters: Parking passes will cost fans up to $620 per match, adding to the steep prices of attending the tournament in person.

Broad Street Run to bring road closures this weekend

The run, billed as the largest 10-mile race in the U.S., begins at 7am in North Philly.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Broad Street Run" data-vars-click-url="https://www.broadstreetrun.com/" data-vars-content-id="a06b36b5-38e4-46fc-8710-516f9ba6395a" data-vars-headline="Broad Street Run to bring road closures this weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.broadstreetrun.com/" target="_blank">Broad Street Run</a> is set to bring 40,000 runners to Philadelphia on Sunday. The big picture: Road closures and detours for the 10-miler will also cause hassles for drivers over the weekend.

Craft brewers are producing less beer in Pennsylvania

The industry took a hit last year, forcing brewers to get creative.

Food and Drink

Pennsylvania&#x27;s craft beer industry took a hit last year as production plunged.Why it matters: It&#x27;s forcing brewers to get creative and expand into nonalcoholic beverages to boost revenues from this multibillion-dollar industry.

A startup wants to pay Philadelphians to power their EV chargers

New York City-based It's Electric hopes to install hundreds of EV chargers throughout the city.

Transit

A New York City-based startup wants to install hundreds of EV chargers throughout Philly — and pay some property owners to power them.The big picture: Philly and the state are pushing for more widespread adoption of zero-emission vehicles. But they need to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="significantly boost the infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://greenport.pa.gov/elibrary/GetDocument?docId=10430349&amp;DocName=2025%20PENNSYLVANIA%20ROADMAP%20TO%20ZERO-EMISSION%20VEHICLES.PDF%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E" data-vars-content-id="75751554-a561-4a74-9072-23ee54df7124" data-vars-headline="A startup wants to pay Philadelphians to power their EV chargers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://greenport.pa.gov/elibrary/GetDocument?docId=10430349&amp;DocName=2025%20PENNSYLVANIA%20ROADMAP%20TO%20ZERO-EMISSION%20VEHICLES.PDF%20%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Agreen%3B%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3Ablue%3B%22%3E(NEW)%3C%2Fspan%3E" target="_blank">significantly boost the infrastructure</a>, like EV charging stations, first.

Philadelphia's air quality gets an F

That puts us at elevated risk of health problems linked to air pollution, from shortness of breath to lung cancer.

Environment

Philadelphia failed every pollution test in the American Lung Association&#x27;s annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="State of the Air report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/states/pennsylvania/philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="5a36cf21-3f26-4684-93f1-49f0d495bf89" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s air quality gets an F" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/city-rankings/states/pennsylvania/philadelphia" target="_blank">State of the Air report</a> yesterday.Why it matters: That puts us at elevated risk of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health problems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/health-risks" data-vars-content-id="5a36cf21-3f26-4684-93f1-49f0d495bf89" data-vars-headline="Philadelphia&#x27;s air quality gets an F" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.lung.org/research/sota/health-risks" target="_blank">health problems</a> linked to air pollution, from shortness of breath to lung cancer.<ul><li>Air pollution threatens everyone&#x27;s health, especially children, seniors and people with asthma. </li></ul>

Frigid winter brings high utility costs to Philly customers

Higher utility costs are becoming the norm.

Climate

Gas and electric bills are shooting up this winter due to prolonged <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frigid temps" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/09/philly-will-start-to-partially-thaw-after-polar-plunge" data-vars-content-id="b2e6c2cc-c8e9-4abe-8f74-a250fb772541" data-vars-headline="Frigid winter brings high utility costs to Philly customers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/09/philly-will-start-to-partially-thaw-after-polar-plunge" target="_self">frigid temps</a> in the Philadelphia region.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Higher utility costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/08/01/rising-energy-bills-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="b2e6c2cc-c8e9-4abe-8f74-a250fb772541" data-vars-headline="Frigid winter brings high utility costs to Philly customers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/08/01/rising-energy-bills-pennsylvania" target="_self">Higher utility costs</a> are becoming the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="norm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" data-vars-content-id="b2e6c2cc-c8e9-4abe-8f74-a250fb772541" data-vars-headline="Frigid winter brings high utility costs to Philly customers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/29/electric-power-bill-costs-ai-grid-reasons" target="_self">norm</a>.

New trails in the works for the Philadelphia region

Outdoor green spaces, like trails, can boost quality of life, improve mental health and link neighborhoods.

Things to Do

The network of trails throughout the Philadelphia region is poised to expand even further in the coming years. Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Outdoor green spaces" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/27/best-public-parks-in-us-philadelphia" data-vars-content-id="af49be3c-afbe-4a37-b30b-0a6400a2ccd0" data-vars-headline="New trails in the works for the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/05/27/best-public-parks-in-us-philadelphia" target="_self">Outdoor green spaces</a> such as trails can boost quality of life, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improve mental health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/active-people-healthy-nation/php/tools/parks-rec.html" data-vars-content-id="af49be3c-afbe-4a37-b30b-0a6400a2ccd0" data-vars-headline="New trails in the works for the Philadelphia region" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/active-people-healthy-nation/php/tools/parks-rec.html" target="_blank">improve mental health</a>, link neighborhoods and provide a carless commuting option.

Penn Waste debuts AI recycling robots

The robots, created by Amazon-backed startup Glacier, are already being deployed in several cities.

Business

A Pennsylvania waste management company will start using AI-powered robots to sort through trash at one of the largest recycling plants in the Northeast.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Penn Waste" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pennwaste.com" data-vars-content-id="72b8bbad-7e0b-48b6-8b2f-1ff22ff1108e" data-vars-headline="Penn Waste debuts AI recycling robots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pennwaste.com" target="_blank">Penn Waste</a> says the robots can more efficiently sort through the hundreds of tons of recycling the plant processes each year.

Philly schools have big solar power potential

Utility bills are typically among schools' top costs.

Education

Philadelphia schools have untapped potential to cash in on the growing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="demand" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/06/09/amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="f5a72a34-2f99-431c-a03c-f8763889c2ec" data-vars-headline="Philly schools have big solar power potential" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/06/09/amazon-data-centers-pennsylvania" target="_self">demand</a> for energy production.Why it matters: Utility bills are typically among the top costs facing schools.

No end in sight for rising energy bills in Pennsylvania

A perfect storm of factors is expected to hike prices even higher in the years to come.

Energy costs are surging in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania this summer.The big picture: A perfect storm of factors is expected to hike prices even higher in the years to come.

Extreme heat streaks on the rise in Philadelphia

Prolonged heat is particularly hazardous to human health.

Heat streaks in Philadelphia are getting more common each year on average compared to 1970, a new analysis finds. Why it matters: Prolonged heat — as Philly and much of the U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="has experienced this summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" data-vars-content-id="2e263135-f433-4038-9b1e-a0f9f8b7775d" data-vars-headline="Extreme heat streaks on the rise in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/22/heat-wave-dome-corn-sweat-forecast" target="_self">has experienced this summer</a> — is particularly hazardous to human health.<ul><li>Plus: Multi-day heat streaks are also challenging for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="power grid operators" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/us-power-grid-climate-change-extreme-weather-electricity" data-vars-content-id="2e263135-f433-4038-9b1e-a0f9f8b7775d" data-vars-headline="Extreme heat streaks on the rise in Philadelphia" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/06/20/us-power-grid-climate-change-extreme-weather-electricity" target="_self">power grid operators</a>, given all the energy-intensive A/C use.</li></ul>

Keep on stomping, Philly: Lanternflies return

The planthoppers' feeding habits threaten Pennsylvania's vineyards, hops and nurseries.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Spotted lanternfly" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/06/spotted-lanternflies-trends-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="a5f780ec-dd90-42f4-b60a-e4eab417e293" data-vars-headline="Keep on stomping, Philly: Lanternflies return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/06/spotted-lanternflies-trends-pennsylvania" target="_self">Spotted lanternfly</a> season is hitting its peak.Why it matters: The polka-dotted bugs, native to Asia, have spread to more Pennsylvania counties since first appearing in the state <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="11 years ago" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/06/spotted-lanternflies-trends-pennsylvania" data-vars-content-id="a5f780ec-dd90-42f4-b60a-e4eab417e293" data-vars-headline="Keep on stomping, Philly: Lanternflies return" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/05/06/spotted-lanternflies-trends-pennsylvania" target="_self">11 years ago</a>.

Donating hard-to-recycle items in Philly just got easier

resourcePhilly, the region's first sustainability search engine, is now live.

A promising sustainability tool is giving Philly&#x27;s hard-to-recycle items a new shelf life.Why it matters: Philly sends 2.3 billion pounds of waste to landfills and incinerators every year, environmental advocates say.