Sixers, Comcast Spectacor drop first glimpse of new arena, but much remains unknown
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Check out the first glimpse of what the new South Philadelphia home of the Sixers and Flyers could look like. Rendering courtesy of Comcast Spectacor and Sixers/Populous
Comcast Spectacor and the Sixers plan to break ground on their new arena in South Philadelphia in 2027, a project spokesperson tells Axios.
The intrigue: That timeline could face resistance from city legislators, who must sign off on needed approvals as developers rush toward a 2030 opening.
Driving the news: Developers unveiled the first renderings of the new arena, which will replace the Xfinity Mobile Arena, on Tuesday, along with a website promoting the project.
- The design was inspired by the Sixers and Flyers' previous home: the Spectrum, which was demolished in 2010.
- Comcast Spectacor and Sixers owner Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment are partners on the project, which they say is privately funded.
Flashback: The first look at the new arena comes more than 18 months after HBSE unexpectedly ditched its plans to leave South Philly and build a new arena on its own in Center City.
Zoom in: The new arena will be in the Spectrum's former footprint — now a parking lot north of Xfinity Mobile Arena.
- The exterior design includes fan plazas and food and drink pavilions.
- A spokesperson for Gov. Josh Shapiro's office tells Axios that it has not been asked for "state assistance for the proposed arena."
Yes, but: The rest of the arena remains a mystery, including the cost, interior design and amenities.
- Developers will reveal details in the coming months, a spokesperson for the project tells Axios.
- Whether the project will receive city grants or tax breaks is unclear. Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration did not return requests for comment.
The goal: Open the new arena ahead of May 2030 so Philly's new WNBA team can play its first game there, a project spokesperson tells Axios.
Reality check: Questions remain about how quickly developers will get required city approvals — especially ahead of an election year.
- Those include a community benefits agreement — which outline investments and pledges from developers in exchange for building the arena — and zoning changes.
State of play: City legislators currently have no timeline for putting forward arena legislation, Vincent Thompson, a spokesperson for Council President Kenyatta Johnson, tells Axios.
Meanwhile, Parker has been unusually quiet about the new South Philly arena.
- That's in comparison to two years ago when she was a vocal booster of the Sixers' failed Center City arena bid, criss-crossing Philly to win support for the contentious plan.
Between the lines: Members of City Council may be hesitant to face a drawn-out public hearing and voting process for yet another arena project.
- In 2027, all members of the Democrat-dominated City Council are on the ballot, but the main contest is the May Democratic primary. Those who prevail in the primary typically go on to win in the general election.
What we're watching: Whether the project becomes a major campaign issue and fuels a progressive insurgency in next year's City Council election.