Images: 2022 Championship Images and 2023 Draw Images
Aligning Philadelphia’s first-of-its-kind World Cup-style soccer tournament, this year’s Unity Cup celebrates Philadelphia’s diverse communities, and continues to build momentum toward FIFA World Cup 2026™.
PHILADELPHIA – The Philadelphia International Unity Cup (Unity Cup), presented by the City of Philadelphia in partnership with Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the City’s official FIFA World Cup 2026™ host committee, will kick off its 2023 season on Friday, August 11. The Unity Cup is one of Mayor Kenney’s signature initiatives, designed to unite the city’s neighborhoods and celebrate its diverse immigrant communities through soccer. All 79 Unity Cup matches are free and open to the public.
The kick-off weekend for the Unity Cup includes 16 matches, and begins with an opening match between Team Ukraine and Team Nigeria on Friday, August 11 at Smith Playground.
On opening night the Unity Cup will host family friendly activities, activations celebrating FIFA World Cup 2026™ , and an opening night flag procession celebrating the diverse heritage of Philadelphia’s immigrant communities. The free, family friendly activities will begin at 7 p.m., before kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
What: Unity Cup Kick Off – Team Ukraine vs. Team Nigeria
Where: Smith Playground, 2100 S 24th St, Philadelphia, PA 19145
When: 7:00 p.m. – Family friendly activities, Unity Cup Opening Ceremony
7:30 p.m. – Kick off- Team Ukraine vs. Team Nigeria
The tournament will continue every weekend through September, followed by quarter and semi-finals held September 23-30. Details for the 2023 Unity Cup final will be announced later this month. The City also recently launched the first ever Philadelphia International Women’s Unity Cup Tournament. The first match of the women’s tournament will take place September 9th. Details will be announced later this month.
Three new countries will enter this year’s competition as teams representing Eritrea, Ecuador, and Kyrgyzstan enter the tournament. Last year’s champion Team USA defeated four-time tournament winner Liberia in the Championship match to win their first Unity Cup.
This year’s Unity Cup jersey features the official FIFA World Cup 26™ Philadelphia Host City branding as the primary logo on all 48 custom team jerseys, which each represent an individual nation participating in this World Cup-style tournament.
Where to watch:
All Unity Cup games are free and open to the public. Regular season matches will be hosted at three locations across the city:
- Ramp Playground at 3300 Solly Avenue
- Smith Playground at 2100 South 24th Street
- The South Philly Supersite at 2926 10th Street
The full schedule is available online at unitycup.phila.gov/schedule. For updates throughout the tournament, follow @PHLUnityCup on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
The Philadelphia International Unity Cup is managed and organized by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Office of the Mayor, the Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the Office of the City Representative.