The Sixers and Flyers gave fans their first visual of the South Philadelphia arena that will become their shared home, along with Philadelphia’s future WNBA team, when they released exterior renderings Tuesday. The building is scheduled to open in 2030.
The project will rise on the former site of the Spectrum, the old arena that housed the Sixers and Flyers from 1967 to 1996 before officially closing in 2009. The teams said the design “draws inspiration from the shape of the Spectrum,” a nod to a building that was home to three championship teams and staged 10 NHL and NBA championship series, plus four All-Star Games.
Comcast Corporation Chairman Brian Roberts framed the project as a major moment for the city.
“This is a new era for Philadelphia sports. 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,” said Comcast Corporation Chairman Brian Roberts.
The teams said the arena will still look back to its roots while pushing forward with what they described as a “next-generation fan experience.”
Josh Harris echoed that pitch, calling the building a fit for the city’s fan base and noting the private funding behind it.
“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,” said Sixers Managing Partner Josh Harris.
Beyond the NBA and NHL tenants, the arena will also house Philadelphia’s first WNBA team, which will be the third professional women’s basketball team in the city’s history. The expansion franchise is set to start play when the building opens in 2030.
The teams say the arena is the largest fully privately funded development in Philadelphia history. They project it will create nearly 15,000 jobs and generate nearly $6 billion in economic activity over the next 10 years.
The building does not have a name yet. Comcast will hold the naming rights, and the teams said that announcement will come later.
In Other News...
Flyers Still Have A Real Shot At The Star They Need
The Flyers spent the offseason doing what strong front offices are supposed to do: keep flexibility while making sure their own young core stays intact. After matching an $18 million offer sheet to retain Leo Carlsson, the former No. 2 pick from 2023, Philadelphia has already checked one important box by holding on to a player it clearly values. Add in the clubs cap space and a recent run of new deals for key restricted free agents, and it is easy to see why the Flyers are still carrying themselves like a team that can make a bigger move when the right one comes along.
Daniel Briere has been open about wanting a true top-line center, and that search is still very much alive. The Flyers have been exploring the market with an eye on difference-makers, and the larger point is not hard to miss: this is a team that finally has the flexibility to chase a major piece instead of just hoping one falls into place. Whether that pursuit lands this season or later, Philadelphia has positioned itself to be in the conversation when elite talent becomes available. [Read more 🡒]
Flyers Interest In Dylan Larkin Just Hit One Clear Roadblock
Once Dylan Larkins trade request became public, the Flyers did what teams in their position tend to do and checked in on a player who would have changed the conversation around the franchise. Philadelphia had interest, and on paper it made sense to at least see whether there was any path forward for a center of that caliber. But the early read out of the situation made the market feel narrower than it first appeared, with Larkins preference list already limiting the field.
The roadblock for the Flyers came quickly, and it was a meaningful one. Larkin let Philadelphia know it was not among the destinations he was open to, which effectively took the club out of the running before things could gain traction. With the front office also weighing its own roster priorities, the Flyers are not expected to keep pushing here, even if the dynamic could look different down the line depending on who is making the decisions. [Read more 🡒]
Ex-Flyers Goalie Is Suddenly Reviving An Old Philadelphia Frustration
Ivan Fedotov is back in Russia and wasting no time reminding the Flyers how complicated his path has been. After a stint in North America that included time in the NHL and AHL, the former Philadelphia goalie has resurfaced with Spartak Moskva, where his early play has been strong enough to reopen an old discussion about what might have been in Philadelphia.
Through the first two games of the KHL season, Fedotov has a 1-1-0 record, and the numbers beneath that are the sort that can sting for a team still looking to settle its goaltending picture. For the Flyers, it is another familiar reminder that some of the most frustrating personnel decisions are the ones that never quite stop echoing, especially when a player finds a better fit after leaving North America. [Read more 🡒]