The Philadelphia 76ers announced a partnership with Comcast Spectator, the owner of their current stadium, the Wells Fargo Center, to build a new arena for the Sixers and Flyers beginning in 2031.
The team had originally announced a $1.3B plan to open an arena right near Philly’s Chinatown which came with extreme backlash. Community groups organized protests, rallies, and petitions, stating the arena would threaten one of the few remaining historic Chinatowns in the U.S. Furthermore, this new location is much more convenient in terms of parking and public transportation compared to a potential Chinatown arena.
There was also criticism of the team taking the stadium away from the famous sports complex, where all four major sports teams (Eagles, Phillies, Sixers, and Flyers) play right next to each other. With this new deal, that is no longer an issue.
Comcast Spectator had previously expressed concerns about the Sixers leaving the Wells Fargo Center, where they’ve played since 1996. In response, the company collaborated with the team to get this new stadium deal done.
The news comes close to more positive updates for the franchise, as the team secured the #3 pick in the 2025 NBA draft this past week. As they faced the possibility of not having a first-round selection at all after a brutal season (for instance, if the pick had landed 6th or later the Oklahoma City Thunder acquired it), getting the third choice was a massive victory.
Beyond the on-court success, the finalized arena deal marks a major win for the city. Philadelphia mayor Cherelle Parker called it “a win, win, win, win for Philadelphia,” and it’s easy to see why. The city’s rich history and culture would have been compromised under the last proposal, and instead, it can be preserved. In addition, a brand new arena is added to an already iconic sports complex.