PHILADELPHIA, PA — Philadelphia Zoo is positioning itself as a major destination during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, unveiling new attractions, visitor amenities and community offerings aimed at accommodating an expected influx of domestic and international visitors.
The zoo said it expects to welcome hundreds of thousands of guests as Philadelphia hosts multiple World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field and serves as a focal point for national semiquincentennial events.
A central component of the effort is highlighting the zoo’s collection of animals connected to participating World Cup nations. Philadelphia Zoo is home to 60 species native to countries scheduled to play matches in Philadelphia, including Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Croatia, France, Curaçao and Haiti.
Among the featured animals are giant river otters, Galápagos tortoises, golden lion tamarins, hippos, lions and African pygmy hedgehogs. Several species will also be included in behind-the-scenes experiences offered during the tournament.
The World Cup programming also draws attention to the zoo’s conservation work. Philadelphia Zoo was among the institutions involved in breeding and reintroducing golden lion tamarins after wild populations fell below 200 animals in the 1970s. According to the zoo, more than 2,500 now live in the wild, with roughly three-quarters descended from animals once managed in zoological institutions.
The zoo is also working with conservation partners in Ecuador on efforts to breed and study the Rio Pescado stub-foot toad, a species once believed extinct before being rediscovered in 2011.
Beyond animal exhibits, the zoo has opened a new retail space, Destination Philadelphia, featuring World Cup and America 250-themed merchandise. The store includes apparel, souvenirs and animal-themed products tied to the zoo’s newest attractions.
Philadelphia Zoo is also offering paid parking for visitors attending FIFA Fan Festival activities at Lemon Hill. Daytime parking will be available at the Giraffe Lot, while evening parking will be offered at the Zoo Garage and Tiger Lot. Zoo officials said all lots are within walking distance of festival activities and can be reserved online.
The zoo’s most visible addition is the 110-foot-tall Philly Pherris Wheel, which opened as part of Philadelphia’s World Cup and America 250 programming. The attraction offers views of the city skyline, the Schuylkill River, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art and operates separately from general zoo admission.
The World Cup tourism push coincides with the debut of Francis J. Carey Bear Country, a $25 million renovation and expansion project that represents the zoo’s largest capital investment since the opening of KidZooU in 2013.
The exhibit includes three bear habitats, new indoor and outdoor den spaces designed to support breeding programs, and the zoo’s first Zoo360 trail built specifically for bears. The facility houses Andean bears and sloth bears and supports broader conservation initiatives for both species.
Philadelphia Zoo has also reintroduced its seasonal ZooTopiaries installation. The living sculptures include a bald eagle commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, a Galápagos tortoise inspired by the zoo’s longtime resident Mommy, and a bear-themed display celebrating the opening of Carey Bear Country.
Philadelphia Zoo is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours scheduled on select dates during the summer tourism season.
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