Walk, run, GOOOAL!

As millions of fans tune in to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, University of Dayton communication graduate Kevin Hession ’13 is helping shape the experience from behind the scenes. Hession serves as the stadium entertainment engineer at Lincoln Financial Field, FIFA’s host site in Philadelphia.

“My role is to ensure that [Lincoln Financial Field], from a broadcast systems standpoint, is properly equipped and configured to provide the 68,000-plus fans in attendance at each of our games the entertainment experience standard that is expected by FIFA, FIFA’s partners as well as the Philadelphia Eagles organization,” he said. “This atmosphere is also broadcast throughout the world to millions of people watching on TV.”

Across Philadelphia’s slate of World Cup matches, Hession oversaw six games, each with its own broadcast demands. He said having a clear sense of the matchups ahead of time helped his team anticipate pacing, crowd energy and the moments that might require quick technical pivots.

“I am in constant communication … to convey any updates, changes or confirm good systems checks so that they can handle their jobs of bringing that show to life,” Hession said. His responsibilities span everything fans see and hear in the stadium — from the cameras and replays to the graphics, audio systems, replay servers, in‑stadium screens and even the light shows — ensuring it all works together without a hitch.

“On a great day with no issues, I get to watch the match while monitoring all systems,” he said. And on those smooth days, he even gets to enjoy a moment of soccer — a goal that electrifies the stadium or a crowd chant that rolls through the building — while keeping one eye on the boards and feeds.

But the pressure spikes if technology falters.

“Hopefully not visible, but most intense is when we have any technology issues, which are bound to happen,” he said. “Preparedness is what matters most. The show doesn’t stop just because something stops working. It’s making sure you stay calm and decisive in those moments.”

“Preparedness is what matters most. The show doesn’t stop just because something stops working. It’s making sure you stay calm and decisive in those moments.”

Sometimes that intensity comes from small but high‑stakes hiccups: a monitor flickering at the wrong moment or a camera feed dropping unexpectedly. Even a minor glitch can ripple across the production, he noted, requiring quick backup plans and tight communication with FIFA officials and the International Broadcast Centre in Dallas.

 “We’re transmitting and receiving numerous channels of audio, video feeds and intercom tie lines between us and the IBC,” he said. “The amount of cabling that was installed in the stadium, whether it be fiber, power, network or anything else, was genuinely mind-boggling.”

Luckily, Philadelphia’s existing gameday systems provided a strong foundation for the World Cup. Multiple rehearsals help the crew treat each match as routine.

“We do our best to make sure our crew feels like these are ‘normal’ events. … We practice until gameday and then we execute,” Hession said.

For him, the path to the World Cup began at UD, where he first learned how to run live productions and manage pressure at FlyerTV.

“I always think back to the start of my engineering work with athletics through FlyerTV and that no matter how big or small the show, the effort stays the same,” he said. “Roy Flynn and Mark Hillman certainly made that the standard when we were broadcasting events, and that philosophy has served me well as I’ve progressed in my industry.”

As a Delawarean, Hession said hosting the World Cup carries special meaning. FIFA encourages each venue to maintain its own identity, whether through Eagles cheerleaders and drumline or special performances.

“It is certainly quite an honor,” he said. “It makes you proud to showcase what makes this city and region unique to the rest of the world.”

“It is certainly quite an honor. It makes you proud to showcase what makes this city and region unique to the rest of the world.”

When we spoke before the July 4 knockout round, Hession was preparing for one of Philadelphia’s most high‑energy matches, complete with a DJ Jazzy Jeff in‑stadium performance that added a distinctly Philly signature to the global stage.

But when the final match ends, what would success look like for Hession?

“When we can say we hosted the world’s largest sporting event, entertained fans, and had no major issues all while having fun and enjoying the moment — that will be the most gratifying moment for me,” he said. “It’s our expectation from the Eagles organization and should be no different from FIFA.”

Photos courtesy Kevin Hession ’13