The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly staying in Philly after all, abruptly dropping plans for a new arena in Center City.
Reports Sunday indicated that Comcast has presented an agreeable plan to redevelop the South Philadelphia Sports District and keep the basketball franchise in South Philly. The 76ers have been a tenant of the Comcast Spectacor-owned Wells Fargo Center since the building opened in 1996 alongside the Philadelphia Flyers, also owned by Comcast Spectacor.
The news shocked many after months of debate surrounding the controversial project. Last month, City Council passed legislation approving the $1.3 billion project, dubbed 76 Place at Market East.
Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the 76ers, had proposed constructing the 18,500-seat arena on the edge of Chinatown, with a main entrance on Market Street. The venue would have replaced a section of the current Fashion District mall between 10th and 11th streets and sit atop SEPTA’s Jefferson Station.
Demolition was scheduled to begin in 2026, and HBSE wanted to open the arena in time for the 2031-32 NBA season, when the team’s lease expires at the Wells Fargo Center.
Now, new plans include the demolition of Wells Fargo Center, to make room for a new stadium for the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers, according to IBEW LOCAL 98 and various media outlets.
“This new agreement between the 76ers and Comcast is a significant win for the 76ers, Comcast, our members and the entire City of Philadelphia. The Stadium District in South Philadelphia will be dramatically enhanced and expanded, providing the 76ers with the new state-of-the-art arena the team needs and deserves,” IBEW LOCAL 98 said in a statement. “Comcast has also pledged to commit the financial resources needed to revive the dormant Market East corridor, which is critically important to the entire city. For IBEW Local 98 and the Trades, a $1.3 billion project just turned into a multi-billion development that will create a stunning new stadium district that will keep our members working for decades.”
The news was welcomed by various activist groups advocating for Chinatown, the city’s historic Asian American hub, who had vigorously opposed the Center City arena plans, as well as lawmakers who had publicly opposed the arena.
“We knew this deal was bad from the beginning. Anybody following the issue closely could clearly see this was a power struggle between billionaires and corporations,” City Councilmembers Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke said in a joint statement. “This outcome would not have been possible without the courage and dedication of community leaders, organizers and Philadelphians who spoke up and fought back. Your voices made all the difference.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker, who has championed the project since announcing her support for it in September, is expected to hold a news conference on Monday morning. Check MetroPhiladelphia.com for details.
Reporter Jack Tomczuk contributed to this report.
