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Photo by M. Edlow for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
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Let’s Play!
Resources for Learning about Philadelphia’s
Global Sports Connections
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The recent Philadelphia International Unity Cup and the city’s 2026 FIFA bid give us the chance to think more about Philadelphia’s global connections across all types of sports both now and in the past.
The City of Philadelphia, together with other municipal partners and corporate sponsors, has held our annual Unity Cup since Mayor Jim Kenney instituted the competition in 2016. Bill Salvatore, has led its development from the beginning. Fifty-two international teams will participate this year between August 27th and October 16th at sites across the city. As one of the Unity Cup’s key sponsors, GPA supports all the ways that Philadelphia connects to global communities, especially interactions that bring us together.
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As chairman of Philadelphia's bid to host the 2026 FIFA matches, David L. Cohen, has commented about support for the bid, and what it will mean to the city in global recognition, visitorship, and revenue. And, why not? Philadelphia has hosted major soccer events since 2003 at least.
 A very unique member of our regional soccer community, and a GPA member too, is the Will Trippley Foundation. Based in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, the “Foundation comprises two parts: a soccer program Chester County United/Virtual Fútbol Academy and a social-emotional development program, Camp Encouragement.”
What about the city’s past global sports connections? Let’s take a look. Cricket has been an important sport in Philadelphia since at least the 1750s among British colonists, so were rowing and horse racing, and even a game similar to baseball. Haverford College’s CC Morris Cricket Library records show that mill and hosiery workers from Yorkshire and Lancashire, England, played this sport in the 1840s.
 Into the 20th century, Philadelphia cricket teams played groups from England, Australia, and Canada. Now, cricket has wide Caribbean participation, as seen at the cricket field in Fairmount Park. While we may associate our city’s boxing history with Joe Frazier’s gym, British immigrants actually opened boxing gyms here in the late 1800s, and Philadelphia gained global recognition as a leading fight city. Currently, boxing is especially important in the city’s Puerto Rican community. By the 1890s, both golf and tennis were popular in Philadelphia. Now, of course, high school, college, club, amateur, and professional participation in wide varieties of sports have expanded dramatically, as well as stadiums, arenas, and other places to play. Philadephians share their participation in these sports with people all around the world!
Earlier this year, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres “highlighted the power of sport to bring people together, promote healthy lifestyles, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.”
As Philadelphians, we certainly know the power of sports
and their global reach, past, present, and future!
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 The Penn Relays that have drawn over 100,000 people to Franklin Field annually each Spring, the majority being Caribbean youth, hope to fully resume in 2022? |
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There is an interactive exhibit, the “Pitch” at the Independence Visitors Center, where you can learn all about our 2026 FIFA bid and share your love of soccer?
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