Football returned to Lincoln Financial Field on Wednesday night, albeit in a different form.
The English Premier League hosted a friendly soccer match between Liverpool and Arsenal.
A wave of fans clad in red descended on South Philly, bringing their own traditions and chants for an evening of soccer. The scene in Lot K wasn’t your typical tailgate, but it was definitely a festive occasion.
“We’re all tribal. We are tribal for our teams,” said Jason Andrew, a soccer enthusiast from Brooklyn, NY.
The match was part of the Rivals in Red exhibition tour featuring English Premier League teams in the United States this week.
Fans traveled from across the country, coming from places like Wisconsin, Chicago, and Atlanta. For many, it was the closest they would get to seeing their favorite team in person.
“This is a family right here. I mean, you don’t get these opportunities very often. This is amazing,” said Jay Tullock from Barnegat, New Jersey.
“It parallels the same way you feel about American football,” added Bennington Gordon from Jamaica.
Gordon had flown in to see his favorite team, Arsenal. His brother, who lives in North Jersey, supports Manchester United, making their rivalry similar to that of the Eagles and Cowboys.
“I just want to see his team lose. I just need him to lose,” joked Delroy, Gordon’s brother.
For the past few days, hotels in Center City and tourist spots in Old City had been bustling with soccer fans. Some believe the excitement and economic boost could be a preview of what’s to come when the FIFA World Cup arrives in Philly in the summer of 2026.
“It’s the biggest event in the world. It’s the one reason we all come together to watch one sport,” said Andrew.
Liverpool triumphed over Arsenal with a 2-1 victory in front of a sold-out crowd.
Lincoln Financial Field has a storied history with soccer friendlies. The very first ticketed event at the Linc was a soccer match between Barcelona and Manchester United in August 2003, just a month before the Eagles played their first game at the stadium.