History, Heritage, and the World Cup

AS AMERICA TURNS 250 AND WORLD-CLASS SOCCER COMES TO PHILADELPHIA, NORTHERN DELAWARE IS READY TO ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET

BY JENNIFER BOES

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday in 2026, communities across the nation are preparing to mark this historic milestone. The Semiquincentennial is not just a national event, though. It’s a local one, too, and New Castle County has a vital role to play in telling America’s story. With the eyes of the world also turning toward our region for the FIFA World Cup, set to unfold in Philadelphia, northern Delaware is gearing up to welcome an entirely new wave of visitors.

New Castle County played a leading part in our nation’s fight for independence. Our Revolutionary “claim to fame” is Separation Day. On June 15, 1776, in the New Castle Courthouse, now a museum, Delaware officially separated not only from England but also from Pennsylvania, more than two weeks before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone is marked annually in early June with the Separation Day Celebration in historic New Castle. Festivities include live music, food and drink, a Colonial-inspired parade, children’s rides, an artisan and vintage market, and, of course, fireworks.

Local sites with Revolutionary War connections include what is now the Grand Opera House. The location once served as a hospital for both sides during the Revolution. The Battle of Cooch’s Bridge is the only Revolutionary War battle to take place in Delaware and marked the start of the British army’s Philadelphia campaign. The Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site is currently being preserved and restored. For now, it’s only accessible by reserving a spot on one of the scheduled property tours. The Hale-Byrnes House was the site of a council of war in 1777, just five days before the Battle of the Brandywine.

Our close proximity to Philadelphia makes New Castle County a natural extension of a Revolutionary War-themed itinerary. Visitors exploring the birthplace of the United States can easily extend their trip with a short drive to Delaware, where they’ll find deeper layers of the nation’s founding story.

The summer of 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and eventful seasons in our region’s history. In addition to America’s 250th birthday, Philadelphia will serve as a host city for the FIFA World Cup, welcoming 500,000 fans from across the globe to six matches, including a marquee Round of 16 match on July 4 — the exact date of the Semiquincentennial. Just 30 minutes south, New Castle County is ideally located to benefit from this unprecedented overlap of a major national milestone and a major international sporting event. Wilmington is even in the running to host a World Cup soccer team.

This once-in-a-generation convergence of major events offers a tremendous opportunity to showcase New Castle County as a tourism destination. We hope to see increased demand for accommodations, dining, and leisure opportunities as visitors stay longer to experience more. With 39 days of tournament action and downtime between matches, international travelers will be looking for enriching ways to spend their free time, and Delaware’s history, museums, and gardens provide the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.

Delaware 250 is spearheading the state’s official Semiquincentennial efforts, and here in New Castle County, we are preparing to meet the moment. In 2025, the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau co-sponsored a “Travels with Darley: Revolutionary Road Trips” episode with the Delaware Tourism Office. The episode is currently airing on PBS stations nationwide and highlights our entire state’s Revolutionary heritage, bringing national attention to Delaware’s role in America’s founding.

Next spring, we will release a special Semiquincentennial edition of our popular Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport. The passport, which offers access to 12 of the region’s top cultural attractions, will feature programming related to the Revolution, as well as our evolution in the years since.

In preparation for the World Cup, the bureau is developing digital marketing strategies aimed at reaching visitors before they arrive, and during their stay. These efforts are designed to ensure that our destination remains top of mind throughout this unique moment of international attention.

Celebrating the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding is about more than waving flags. It’s about discovering the places, people, and moments that shaped — and continue to shape — Delaware, and our country. This milestone, paired with the excitement of the World Cup, gives us an unmatched platform to share our story.

Jennifer Boes is the executive director of the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau.