The Sixers and Flyers are each up and coming — appealing to a young demographic as befits the youthful rosters itching to break through.
The home of these two teams, the Wells Fargo Center, is up and coming as well, even as the facility passes 20 years since being built in 1996.
In 2017-18, the arena now boasts 19,800 square feet of signage throughout, the most of any arena in the country. Walk into one of the two enterence bowls and you’ll be overwhelmed by LED screens.
Why the transformation? Well, watching at home is pretty easy and broadcasts in high definition are better than they’ve ever been. The Center is keeping up with the Jonses.
“To a certain extent,” Wells Fargo Center President John Page told Metro of their motivation to make improvements, “but there’s still nothing like the live event. Being here in person to expertience your favorite artist or your favorite team, nothing replaces that. Obviously what happens at home is significant. It’s easy to sit on your couch so anything we can do to enhance the experience and give the wow factor is something we strive for.”
There will be great volumes of people at the South Broad Street facility this year, as the Sixers and Flyers each could be playing in front of max capacity in their 41 respective home games this year. The 76ers sold out their season ticket supply quickly after the team traded for the No. 1 overall pick (which was used to take Markelle Fultz).
The facility is also boasting a new line of merchandise for each team, as well as some new culinary treats throughout the arena including the twisted taco, mac and cheese balls, and a fried rice station.
“I think when you look at what the Sixers have in their line up, those guys are great players and we expect it,” Page said, emphasizing that he expects playoff games in both the NBA and NHL to be held at Wells Fargo Center. “They’re young just like the Flyers. There are going to be some growing pains but it’s the future.”
The Flyers open their home schedule Saturday, October 14 against the Capitals while the Sixers are home a week later, hosting the Celtics on Friday, October 20.
