The Philly Phanatic is teaming up with Gritty, Swoop and other mascots to welcome visitors to Pennsylvania ahead of the America250 events this summer.
Historical figures like Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross will also join the lineup of the Visit PA Playmakers who will serve as a welcoming committee for the expected millions of visitors coming to the state this summer.
The group will welcome visitors with “energy, enthusiasm and experiences,” said Anne Ryan, the deputy secretary of tourism for Pennsylvania.
“This is our hype squad and our front line, putting our culture on full display,” she said. “The Visit PA Playmakers are creators. They’re connectors, they’re performers and they’re storytellers.”
Playmakers include double-dutch group Philly Girls Jump, breakdancing crew Project Positive and even Ben Franklin.
Ryan emphasized engagement groups like this are important for visitors, as they allow them to feel more welcome and make lasting connections to the city.
“If all we show up with are events, then we missed it,” she said. “This is our moment to show the full depth of who we are in Pennsylvania.”
The rotating group of connectors and creators will show up ahead of different events, including the PGA Championship in Newtown Square, the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations and the MLB All-Star Week in Philadelphia.
Local leaders emphasized this initiative will make these events more enjoyable for visitors which could, in turn, increase economic activity.
City officials expect to welcome 1.5 million visitors with many more coming to other parts of the state.
“That many visitors is huge for our economy, and in the short term, we’re anticipating nearly $55 billion in visitor spending in 2026,” said the secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Rick Siger. “That’s $55 billion in the cash registers of small businesses across Pennsylvania, like restaurants, hotels, shops, gas stations and more.”
An action-packed year of events
Visit PA Playmakers will serve as the “hype people” at major 2026 events throughout the state, including in Pittsburgh, which hosts the 2026 NFL draft next month. This event will kick off the momentum for 2026 sports celebrations, said Jim Britt, the Vice President of Sports Events for Visit Pittsburgh.
“It’s undeniable that Pittsburgh is a football town,” he said.
The NFL draft will take place on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.
On Tuesday afternoon, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro emphasized his commitment for events happening in all parts of the state with increased investments.
“We are investing another $40 million to make sure these events go off well,” he said. “We’re putting more money into the fan zones for the World Cup, the NFL draft in Pittsburgh, the All-Star game, and, of course, the PGA Championship.”
“We’re investing to make sure that these events are more open to the public, that there’s more opportunities for families to enjoy. And I want to stress that we are working with our law enforcement partners to ensure that these are not only fun events, but that these are safe events for all to enjoy.”
Philly will also host six FIFA World Cup games this summer, said Meg Kane, the host city executive & CEO for Philadelphia Soccer 2026 on behalf of FIFA World Cup 2026.
“I know that there has to be something really special and really unique to bring everyone together in peace and harmony and joy,” she said. “And that moment is absolutely the FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia. ”
The city will welcome Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Curacao, Ecuador, Haiti, Ghana and one other team for the games, which will happen between June 14-July 4.
Kane said Philly is a unique host city, as it is the only spot offering a FIFA fan festival – which has been dubbed “soccer Coachella” – for all 39 days of the tournament.
“It is free and open to the public,” she said. “There will be giant screens with the live broadcast of the matches. There are 75 local food trucks, live music, cultural performances, a vendor village and a million square feet of pure Philadelphia flavor and the best of what Pennsylvania has to offer.”
Philly will also be home to the 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend.
“There are going to be a lot more All-Star games after 2026, but none are going to match the significance, the energy and the spotlight of this one,” said Michael Harris, the VP of Marketing & Government Affairs of the Philadelphia Phillies.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to showcase our ballpark, our city and our state on a national and international stage.”
He said that beyond the actual All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14, the Phillies will host a week full of activities around the game.
He explained there will be five to six days of “jam-packed” activities inside and outside of Citizens Bank Park — including the MLB draft, a home run derby and a red carpet show.
“There’s 105 days until the city and the state take center stage, and it’s 105 days until we show everybody what we’re all about,” he said. “Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are second to none.”
Out in the suburbs, the 2026 PGA Championship will be held in Newtown Square from May 14-17.
“This is one of the most prestigious events in all sports,” said Jackie Endsley, the championship director for the 2026 PGA Championship.
Endsley said the Visit PA Playmakers will be an important part of the experience, as this will allow visitors an authentic look at Pennsylvania.
“We’re expecting hundreds of thousands of spectators and a global audience, and they’re not just coming for the golf,” she said. “They’re coming to experience true Pennsylvania. That’s where all of you come in, because this championship belongs to the community, to the businesses, the partners, the volunteers and the leaders who are all behind the scenes making it happen together.”
And finally, the city will host the United States’ 250th Anniversary celebrations from July 1-4.
The series of events will be “electric,” said Michael Newmuis, Philadelphia 2026 director who is overseeing coordination of historic events.
“July 4th is going to be the most epic, unifying legacy and defining experience for the city of Philadelphia’s history as we welcome folks from across the world for the greatest party on the Parkway,” he said.
The series of events will feature everything from parades and concerts like the Wawa Welcome America Festival, special museum programming and more.
Even Pope Leo XIV (yes, Villanova’s own) will make an appearance, albeit only on video screens, as he accepts the Liberty Medal from Philadelphia’s National Constitution Center during a ceremony on July 3.
The Visit PA Playmakers will continue to show up with everything from music and dancing to pop-up experiences. You can learn more about the new program here.
https://platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js
About the Author
Discover more from USA NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
