Ecuadorian World Cup fans flood Philadelphia’s Rocky Steps

Hundreds of Ecuadorian football fans transformed Philadelphia’s iconic Rocky Steps into a sea of yellow, blue, and red on Monday, gathering at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to watch Ecuador take on the host nation Qatar in the opening match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

A corner of Philly turned Ecuadorian

By kickoff, an estimated 500 fans had packed the steps and the surrounding plaza, many draped in scarves and jerseys, faces painted in national colors. Chants of “Vamos La Tri” echoed off the museum’s stone facade. It’s not a stadium in Doha, but it didn’t feel far off. Vendors worked the crowd selling arepas and cold drinks as the November chill settled over Fairmount Park. Nobody seemed to care about the temperature.

Philadelphia has one of the largest Ecuadorian diaspora communities on the East Coast, with roughly 40,000 residents of Ecuadorian origin living in and around the city, many concentrated in South Philly neighborhoods like Pennsport and Passyunk. For them, this wasn’t just a football match. It was something bigger.

More than a game

“This is about pride, about showing people here who we are,” said Carlos Minda, 34, a construction worker from Quito who has lived in Philadelphia for nine years. He had his two kids on his shoulders when Ecuador’s Enner Valencia headed in the opener just 16 minutes into the match. The crowd erupted. Strangers hugged. Someone set off a small horn that didn’t stop for a full two minutes.

Valencia went on to score again from the penalty spot, giving Ecuador a 2-0 victory. Every goal landed like a thunderclap on the steps.

Still, it wasn’t without its chaotic edges. Police presence was light but visible, with six officers positioned near the main entrance. A small group of about 30 Qatar supporters also showed up, though they were largely good-natured about the scoreline by the final whistle.

Rocky Steps find a new story

The steps, made famous by Sylvester Stallone’s 1976 film, have long been a gathering point for Philadelphia’s sports fans. Eagles victories, Phillies playoff runs — the steps absorb it all. But this felt different. This wasn’t a hometown celebration. It was an immigrant community claiming one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks as their own for 90 minutes.

And they earned it.

What comes next for La Tri fans in Philly

Ecuador’s next group stage match is scheduled for Friday, November 25, against the Netherlands. Organizers from the Ecuadorian Cultural Association of Philadelphia say they’re already planning a larger watch party, possibly at a local park with a proper screen setup. They’re hoping to draw over 1,000 people this time.

Whether Ecuador advances deep into the tournament remains to be seen. But if Monday was any indication, Philadelphia’s Ecuadorian community won’t be watching quietly from home anytime soon.