South Philadelphia is getting its first look at what could become its newest sports landmark.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers unveiled exterior renderings Tuesday of their proposed new arena on the historic Spectrum site, a project expected to become the home of all three teams — including Philadelphia’s future WNBA franchise — when it opens in 2030.
The privately funded arena would rise on the site where the Spectrum once stood, reconnecting a new generation of Philadelphia sports fans with a location that played a major role in the city’s sports and entertainment history.
The Spectrum opened in 1967 and was home to the 76ers and Flyers for nearly three decades before closing in 2009. The Flyers won their first Stanley Cup there, while the 76ers played some of the most memorable seasons in franchise history inside the building.
The new arena is being designed by global architecture firm Populous and Philadelphia-based Moody Nolan. Its exterior takes inspiration from the Spectrum’s shape, with stacked, cantilevered bands intended to give the building a distinctive profile while breaking down the scale of a typical arena.
Outside, the plans call for more than a half-acre of public outdoor space, including fan plazas, food-and-beverage areas and a broad staircase at the arena’s main entrance. The teams said the staircase is intended to serve as a gathering place and is inspired in part by the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
The project also is expected to bring economic activity to the surrounding neighborhood. According to the teams, the privately funded development is projected to create nearly 15,000 jobs and generate nearly $6 billion in economic activity over 10 years. It is also expected to produce hundreds of millions of dollars in new tax revenue for the city and School District of Philadelphia.
“Philly fans deserve the best arena in the world, and we are excited to partner with Comcast to deliver just that,” Josh Harris, co-founder of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment and managing partner of the 76ers, said in a statement.
Harris said the project provides an opportunity to transform a historically significant site while creating jobs and honoring Philadelphia’s sports and entertainment culture.
“This is a new era for Philadelphia sports,” Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts said. “To build our future where Ed Snider and the Spectrum made history makes this project truly special.”
Roberts also credited Mayor Cherelle Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson for their work on the project and said Comcast and the teams are looking forward to bringing championships to the new venue.
The renderings represent an early stage of the project. The teams said fan surveys, focus groups, community engagement and public review will continue during the design and approval process.
The arena is planned to open in time for the inaugural season of Philadelphia’s WNBA expansion team in 2030 as well as the 76ers’ NBA and Flyers’ NHL seasons.
Comcast will hold the naming rights for the arena, with its formal name to be announced later. ••
