World Cup updates: Ivory Coast taking on Ecuador in South Philly

Excitement is building at bars across the city of Philadelphia that are filled with soccer fans celebrating the start of the World Cup.

People packed into Lion Sports Bar in Chinatown for the first match on Thursday afternoon.

World Cup: Some Philadelphia bars still waiting on approval to stay open late

Mark Prinzinger, the owner of the sports bar, said, "I woke up this morning and I'm like, 'World Cup is finally here!'"

Lion Sports Bar is one of 65 establishments in the city that applied for a Philadelphia 250 permit - the option to stay open as late as 4 a.m. throughout the World Cup.

According to a tracker set up by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, 23 establishments have received final approval to do so.

But 36 spots, including Prinzinger's bar, are still waiting for final approval from the state.

"The World Cup is already here. The purpose of it was to show the late World Cup matches, which obviously we're going to do, but I guess we'll see if we can serve alcohol," Prinzinger said.

Tir na Nog in Center City didn't apply for a permit to stay open late, but the bar is decked out for the tournament and expecting crowds.

Speaking about the crowds, Cristen DeDomenico, a bar manager at Tir na Nog, told Action News, "I think it's just going to keep building."

She added, "I've really been seeing an increase in tourism. It's really cool to have this to bring more traffic in."

Soccer fans also spent Thursday at Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park for the first day of the 39-day FIFA Fan Festival.

Hannah Ward, who lives just steps away from all the action, described the festival as "exciting."

However, Ward said the festival has led to parking issues in her neighborhood and concerns about excessive noise after sound checks on Monday.

"I was really nervous about the sound checks. The sound checks were really loud. Today was much better," Ward explained.

The FIFA World Cup has officially kicked off, and fans across the country gathered in Philadelphia to celebrate the start of it.

Crowds lined up early to take part in the city's Fan Fest, eager to be part of the World Cup experience.

Fan Festival opens at Lemon Hill as matches get underway

"I always have to watch at home - this never happens in the United States," said Aurelio Ortega-Lagos of King of Prussia.

Despite the sweltering heat, fans made the most of the festivities, finding ways to stay cool while enjoying the atmosphere.

"It's hot out here, but it's beautiful," said Ali Clark of North Philadelphia. "Fans, towels, cold water - whatever it takes."

Others stepped inside the nearly 18,000-square-foot merchandise store to escape the heat and pick up official gear.

Organizers said the goal of the Fan Fest is to provide a free, accessible experience for everyone to celebrate the global event in the City of Brotherly Love.

On the field, Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

Philadelphia will host its first World Cup match Sunday at 7 p.m., when Ivory Coast faces Ecuador.

Chopper 6 was live over the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill as Mexico takes on South Africa on Thursday.

Chopper 6 over FIFA Fan Festival as matches get underway

Action News reporter Bryanna Gallagher takes you inside the merch shop at the FIFA Fan Festival in Fairmount Park.

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