Philadelphia International Unity Cup
September 26, 2017
A World Cup-style tournament held over several months, the Philadelphia International Unity Cup aims to unite the city’s neighborhoods and celebrate its diverse immigrant communities through soccer. The brainchild of Mayor Jim Kenney, the Unity Cup became an annual tradition after its massively successful inaugural year in 2016.
2017's Unity Cup kicked off on 9/8, with 48 teams representing different nations around the world. Tournament rounds were played at various Philly Parks & Rec fields, leaving just 16 teams remaining for Knockout Rounds.
The first of the Knockout Rounds will take place at Ramp Playground in Northeast Philadelphia on Saturday, 10/7 and Sunday, 10/8. To get there on SEPTA, take the Market-Frankford Line eastbound to Frankford Transportation Center. From Frankford, hop Bus Routes 66 or 88 for a short walk to the field.
The second Knockout Rounds will be on 10/14 and 10/15 at LaSalle University and University of Pennsylvania's Penn Park. You can get to both of these universities on SEPTA! To get to LaSalle, take the Broad Street Line to Logan Station or Regional Rail to Wayne Junction. To get to Penn Park, take the Market-Frankford Line or the Trolley to 30th Street.
The Unity Cup's Quarter Finals (10/21 & 10/22) will be held at Temple University. It could not be easier to get to Temple on SEPTA. Take the Broad Street Line to Cecil B. Moore Station or any Regional Rail Line to Temple University Station.
The Semi-Finals will be held at the South Philadelphia Supersite on Sunday at 2p and 5p. Located at 10th & Bigler Streets, it's so easy to get here on SEPTA. Take the Broad Street Line to Oregon Station or Bus Routes 45 or 4.
And finally, the Championship Game will be on 11/11 at Lincoln Financial Field! The top two teams facing each other are Liberia (last year’s second place team) and Sierra Leone (the #1 seed going into the knockout rounds). Prior to the Championship Game at 6p, there will be other events celebrating the Unity Cup:
2p: Youth Game
3p: 3rd Place Game – Puerto Rico vs. Jamaica
5p: Naturalization Ceremony
5:30p: Parade of Nations
6p: Championship Game – Sierra Leone vs. Liberia
Free tickets will be available on site at Lincoln Financial Field, near the Northeast entrance gate, or you can request advanced tickets online now through close of business on Monday, 11/6.
The best way to Lincoln Financial Field is SEPTA's Broad Street Line. Just hop it south to AT&T Station.
