With City Council approval, what's next for the Sixers arena
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The Sixers new arena overcame a big hurdle on its way toward opening in 2031. Courtesy of City of Philadelphia/Gensler
The Sixers have the green light to build a $1.3 billion arena in Center City, putting them on track for a 2031 opening.
Why it matters: The Market East area is poised for a major transformation over the next few years, while the Wells Fargo Center will soon lose its long-term tenant.
Driving the news: Philadelphia City Council gave final approval on Thursday to a legislative package authorizing the arena project — a major win for the development's booster, Mayor Cherelle Parker.
- Under the deal, the Sixers will pay $60 million in a community benefit agreement (CBA) that funds improvements and some programs to soften the development's impact on the city.
Friction point: Before the vote, opposition groups filled the council chambers and disrupted the proceedings. Police removed several protesters.
Catch up quick: Thursday's vote caps a frenetic few months of debates and hearings in City Hall.
- Negotiations between legislators and the Sixers were nearly derailed last week before the team ponied up $10 million more for the CBA. Although that was far below what many were calling for.
- The Sixers pitched the project in 2022.
What's next: The vote kick-starts the full design process for the project, which will include community input.
- Demolition work to raze roughly a third of the Fashion District is expected to begin in 2026.
- Construction would begin in 2028.
- The opening would be in September 2031.
Meanwhile, Comcast Spectacor's current lease with the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center expires 2031.
- The company declined to comment.
- Comcast Spectacor continues to work on its $2.5 billion plan to transform the South Philly sports complex into a destination filled with restaurants, hotels and homes.
What they're saying: 76ers co-owner David Adelman said in a statement that this week's vote marks a pivotal milestone.
- "Although a lot of work has been done to get here, we know there is much more to do," he said.
The other side: The No Arena Coalition said in a statement the group will not stop trying to derail the project.
- "We have more in our playbook to kill this deal, and the fight continues in 2025," per the statement.