BETHLEHEM, Pa. — When, in 2014, ArtsQuest started its SoccerFest festival to coincide with the FIFA World Cup, it quickly captured the interest of the sport's burgeoning society of fans.
Since then, interest in the sport has only grown, and with attention expected to be especially high when Philadelphia hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup starting next week, ArtsQuest now wants to include everyone in SoccerFest.
"There are few events around the world that bring people together like the World Cup. And this year, our team will be taking it up a notch."ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel
Starting at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 11, ArtsQuest will broadcast every World Cup match — 72 games in 34 days, through July 19 — live via FOX Sports on large screens across SteelStacks.
Attendance will be free.
ArtsQuest also will expand its SoccerFest youth programming to include an adapted clinic for challenged children, and another conducted in Spanish with coaches who speak the language.
"There are few events around the world that bring people together like the World Cup," ArtsQuest Chief Operating Officer Curt Mosel said at a news conference Friday.
"And this year, our team will be taking it up a notch ... even midnight games, which should be interesting."
SoccerFest "will transform the [SteelStacks] campus into a regional hub for fans of all ages," ArtsQuest Communications Manager Tehani Boyer said at the news conference.
'The passion runs deep'
In addition to the game broadcasts — which in prior years drew thousands of people to Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks and the Community Stage at Town Square at ArtsQuest Center — SoccerFest will include cultural events, live music and global cuisine.
There also will be a special new exhibit exploring Bethlehem’s historic role in American soccer.
"More than just a sport, it's part of our culture."Miguel Perez-Soto, an ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board member and SoccerFest consultant
But Mosel said one of the things about SoccerFest about which ArtsQuest is more excited is expanding opportunities in its youth programming.
There will be clinics, three vs. three tournaments and inclusive programming for young athletes of all abilities.
While Latino children participating likely also speak English, having coaches conduct clinics in Spanish will seem more welcoming to them, Mosel said.
"It's important to creating the next generation of soccer fans," he said.
Some participating coaches played professionally in their home countries, and many continue to play here, he said.
"More than just a sport, it's part of our culture," Miguel Perez-Soto, an ArtsQuest Performing Arts Board member and SoccerFest consultant, said, referring to Latinos, at the news conference.
"Here in the Lehigh Valley, the passion runs deep. In just a few days, we're going to experience that passion here."
'Founders of Modern Day Soccer'
Clinics will be led by regional soccer coaches including Dean Koski, men’s head soccer coach at Lehigh University and president of Allentown-based Penn Rising XI (formerly Lehigh Valley United).
Also, Greg Ramos, executive director of soccer operations and technical director of Penn Rising XI; and Fernando Carrizo, assistant technical director of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer.
A special exhibit at the Bethlehem Visitor Center at SteelStacks, “Forged in Steel: The Founders of Modern Day American Soccer,” will highlight the history of the Bethlehem Steel Soccer Club.
Sponsored by Bethlehem Steel Corp., the team was an American soccer powerhouse from 1907-30, with 11 championships, including five U.S. Open Cup titles.
Local historian Dan Morrison, a history professor at Manor College in Jenkintown, Montgomery County, will deliver talks on the team, and the history of soccer in the region, between matches at noon and 3 p.m. June 20.
At the news conference, Morrison said Bethlehem Steel helped establish soccer in the United States.
"Bethlehem became one of the epicenters of the sport in this country," he said.
There also will be Fourth of July festivities to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary during SoccerFest, with live music and fireworks.
SoccerFest schedule
SoccerFest will kick off at 3 p.m. Thursday, June 11, with the match between Mexico and South Africa on the Levitt Pavilion screen. At 10 p.m., South Korea vs. Czechia will be on the same screen.
Between will be a 5 p.m. performance by DJ Evolution on the Community Stage and a 7:30 p.m. performance by DJ Mojoflo on the Levitt Pavilion stage.
At 7:30 p.m., there will be a 20th anniversary screening of the soccer-themed 2006 film "She’s the Man," starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum, in ArtsQuest Center's Alehouse Cinemas.
It will be part of Kicks & Flicks: A Soccer on Film Series in Alehouse Cinemas.
A 9 p.m. performance by DJ Evolution on the Community Stage at Town Square will proceed the 10 p.m. match.
"It's transformative when a World Cup comes to your country. This event has grown so much, and this place has become known for what it does for the game."Chris Branscome, chief executive officer of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and commissioner of U.S. Youth Soccer Council
The next SoccerFest offering will be at 3 p.m. Friday, July 12, with Canada vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina. The first United States match will be at 9 p.m. vs. Paraguay.
The first midnight game will be Australia vs. Türkiye on Saturday, June 13 — the last of four games that day, starting at 3 p.m. with Qatar vs. Switzerland.
Other highlights of SoccerFest include the United States vs. Australia on June 19; games at 1 and 5 p.m. July 4 (teams to be determined), amid the Independence Day celebration at SteelStacks; and the United States vs. Türkiye on June 25.
The World Cup championship game will be at 3 p.m. July 19 on the Levitt Pavilion screen.
Details for all the SoccerFest offerings can be found on the ArtsQuest website.
"It's transformative when a World Cup comes to your country," Chris Branscome, chief executive officer of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and commissioner of U.S. Youth Soccer Council, said at the news conference.
"This event has grown so much, and this place has become known for what it does for the game."
