76ers, Flyers unveil first images of new arena, set to open in 2030
Photo courtesy of the Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers
After years of indecision and threats, we have images of the new South Philadelphia arena that will be the home of the 76ers and Flyers.
The two teams on Tuesday morning unveiled the first exterior renderings of the proposed new arena, which will also serve as home to Philadelphia’s WNBA expansion team, planned for the historic Spectrum grounds in South Philadelphia.
The arena is scheduled to open in 2030, just in time for the WNBA team’s inaugural season, and they hope to break ground in the first half of next year. Comcast owns the naming rights and will formally announce a name at a later date.
Here are the images from Populous and Moody Nolan:
“Philly fans deserve the best arena in the world, and we are excited to partner with Comcast to deliver just that. This privately funded arena will be the home to moments and memories that define this city for generations,” Josh Harris, Co-Founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and Managing Partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, said in Tuesday’s press release. “We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us and look forward to partnering with Mayor Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson to transform a site rich with history, while creating thousands of jobs, driving lasting economic impact and delivering an arena that honors the deep sports and entertainment culture of the city. I’m grateful to my partners David Blitzer, David Adelman, Brian Roberts and Dan Hilferty for helping make this vision a reality.”
The arena’s architecture draws inspiration from the Spectrum, which hosted the Flyers and the 76ers for 29 years. The exterior will feature stacked, cantilevered bands that “break down the scale of a typical arena and create a bold, instantly recognizable profile as a new South Philadelphia landmark.”
Fan plazas will be outside the arena, with steps leading up to the entrance, honoring the Art Museum steps. The initial look also shows options for how the teams plan to extend their restaurant footprint, showcasing food-and-beverage pavilions.
“This is a new era for Philadelphia sports,” Brian Robers, Chairman of Comcast Corporation, said. “To build our future where Ed Snider and the Spectrum made history makes this project truly special. Working with HBSE, we are creating a world-class experience worthy of Philadelphia’s incredible fans.”
The first-look renderings reflect fan feedback and stakeholder input on the arena experience, Comcast says, including public spaces and amenities that Philadelphia residents want from the city’s next major sports and entertainment hub. Fan surveys, focus groups, community engagement, and public review will continue throughout the design and approval process.
Benjamin Goldstein
Benjamin Goldstein is a Sports Media major at Temple University and an aspiring sportscaster and journalist. Since 2017, he has covered Philadelphia sports as the founder, editor, writer, and podcast host of Philly Sports Reports. In addition, Benjamin is a freelance sports writer for The Temple News, interned with the WBCB Sports Network on 1490 AM, and served as the lead broadcaster for Pennsbury Athletics for four years. Through his coverage and media work, he has had the opportunity to meet Phillies owner John Middleton in his suite and was recognized as KYW Newsradio’s Philadelphia Sports Fan of the Week.
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