Philadelphia hosts FIFA World Cup trophy, kicks off summer of soccer

For a city that rarely sees trophies this time of year, Philadelphia got a rare look at one May 21 — when the World Cup Tour rolled into town, bringing soccer's most coveted prize with it. Fans lined up to get a picture with the FIFA World Cup Trophy on display inside the University of Pennsylvania's famous "Palestra". A gleaming soccer ball mounted on a swirling, gold support, the grand prize sat hidden behind a black curtain, as around 1,000 diehards anxiously awaited.

For New Jersey's Remington Steele, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. "To have football here, after all of these years, we had to come up and be a part of it", she said. The experience is a part of a 21-day promotional event for the World Cup, traveling across the world.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said at a press conference that the World Cup competition and events taking place in Philadelphia are a huge economic win, despite recent reports of less-than-stellar initial interest in surrounding hotel bookings. "When people have the opportunity to earn a wage in the current affordability crisis we're living in, that is always a win," she said. As the June 14 to July 4 games near, fans see the Cup’s stop in Philadelphia as a boost for the city, with Wilmington native Saniyyah Abdus-Salaam calling it a strong showcase of the community and its identity.

"It really feels like this event has a hometown feel," she said. Philly's strong soccer roots Philadelphia’s passionate fan base helps keep it among the nation’s top sports towns — ranking ninth in a WalletHub analysis that weighed performance and ticket affordability. "We are unapologetic about being a city that loves its sports," Mayor Parker said.