Penn Relays 2027 in Philadelphia: weekend guide and things to do

22 to 24 April 2027 · ExpectedPhiladelphia, United States

Penn Relays is one big day in Philadelphia, but most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after. This guide covers the arrival afternoon, match-day morning, the evening and the free day after.

Tours in Philadelphia Hotels for these dates

Penn Relays in short

When: 22 to 24 April 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
Where: Franklin Field, Philadelphia, United States, about 2 km from the centre
Free time: Most fans arrive the day before and leave the day after, with the match-day morning free.
Best base: Old City and Rittenhouse: Walk to history and restaurants.
Getting there: Philadelphia (PHL) has SEPTA trains to Center City in 25 minutes.
Weather: In April, Philadelphia averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 97 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 31 min of daylight.
Top things to do: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell; Cheesesteak and food tour; Eastern State Penitentiary

Know before you go

The oldest and largest track meet in the US, with high school and college relays.

Weather during Penn Relays

In April, Philadelphia averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 97 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 31 min of daylight.

Month	Average high	Average low	Rain
April	17°C (63°F)	5°C (41°F)	97 mm

What to pack

A warm layer for the evenings.
A rain jacket or umbrella: it rains often in this month.
Check the stadium bag policy: clear bags or small bags only at many venues.

Monthly averages for 2001 to 2025 from NASA POWER. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.

Airport to Franklin Field

Philadelphia (PHL) has SEPTA trains to Center City in 25 minutes.

Walk from 30th Street Station.

Public transport directions to Franklin Field · Everything on at Franklin Field

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	University City	Near Penn and 30th Street Station.
Mid-range	Old City and Rittenhouse	Walk to history and restaurants.
Splurge	Rittenhouse Square	Luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City
Mid-range: The Study at University City
Splurge: The Rittenhouse

Links search the nights from 21 April to 25 April. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual weekend schedule for 22 to 24 April 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Wednesday 21 April

Fan zones open the day before. Take the afternoon for the city.

Half-dayEastern State Penitentiary Half day · Indoor
Historic prison.
EatZahav Modern Israeli

Match day morning

Thursday 22 April

Free until you head to the stadium. Avoid anything far away or tiring.

Easy outingCheesesteak and food tour Half day · Food
Reading Terminal and the Italian Market.
FreeRocky steps at the Art Museum.

The day after

Sunday 25 April

A full free day before you fly.

Full dayAmish Country day trip Full day · Family
Lancaster County.
EatReading Terminal Market Food hall

Evening plans

For the night before or after the match.

After darkEast Passyunk and Fishtown.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Amish Country day trip

Lancaster County.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Independence Hall and Liberty Bell

Free timed tickets for the hall.

See times and prices

Franklin Institute.
Philadelphia Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Amish Country day trip

Lancaster County.

See times and prices

After dark

East Passyunk and Fishtown.

5 tours worth booking for Penn Relays

Tour	Length	Good for
Eastern State Penitentiary	Half day	Bad weather
Amish Country day trip	Full day	Families
Mural Arts tour	Half day	Everyone
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell	Half day	Families
Cheesesteak and food tour	Half day	Food lovers

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Reading Terminal Market Food hall
John's Roast Pork Cheesesteaks and roast pork
Federal Donuts Donuts and fried chicken
Zahav Modern Israeli

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor

Eastern State Penitentiary

Historic prison.

See times and prices

Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Barnes Foundation.

Getting around on event days

SEPTA subway and trolleys; the stadiums are at the end of the Broad Street Line.

Day trips from Philadelphia

Lancaster: 1.5 hours
New York: 1.5 hours by Amtrak

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Penn Relays.

Plan a group trip

Organiser of Penn Relays? Add this guide to your website.

Questions people ask

When is Penn Relays 2027?

The next edition is 22 to 24 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

What is the weather like during Penn Relays?

In April, Philadelphia averages highs of about 17°C and lows of 5°C, with roughly 97 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 13 h 31 min of daylight.

How do I get from the airport to Franklin Field?

Philadelphia (PHL) has SEPTA trains to Center City in 25 minutes. Walk from 30th Street Station.

Where should I stay for Penn Relays?

For most visitors the best base is Old City and Rittenhouse: Walk to history and restaurants.

What else can we do around Penn Relays?

Good short outings in Philadelphia include Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Cheesesteak and food tour, Eastern State Penitentiary. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Penn Relays?

Family-friendly picks: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Amish Country day trip. Franklin Institute.

How far is Franklin Field from Philadelphia centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Walk from 30th Street Station.

How we put this guide together: dates come from the organiser's published calendar or, when not yet announced, from the event's usual pattern; weather from NASA POWER monthly averages 2001 to 2025; venue access and city tips from our own research. Last checked 2 November 2026. How we research.

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