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Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)

Coordinates:39°54′4″N75°10′19″W/ 39.90111°N 75.17194°W/39.90111; -75.17194
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(Redirected fromFirst Union Center)
For other uses of "Wells Fargo Center", seeWells Fargo Center.
"Wachovia Center" redirects here. For the Winston-Salem, North Carolina building, see100 North Main Street.
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Center in 2019
Wells Fargo Center is located in Philadelphia
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Center
Location of the Wells Fargo Center inSouth Philadelphia
Wells Fargo Center is located in Pennsylvania
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Center
Location in Pennsylvania
Wells Fargo Center is located in the United States
Wells Fargo Center
Wells Fargo Center
Location in the United States
Former names
Address3601 South Broad Street
LocationPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
Coordinates39°54′4″N75°10′19″W/ 39.90111°N 75.17194°W/39.90111; -75.17194
Public transit
Broad Street Line
Metro interchangeNRG
Bus transportSEPTAbus:4,17
OwnerComcast Spectacor
OperatorOak View Group
Capacity
Construction
Broke groundSeptember 14, 1994
OpenedAugust 12, 1996[9]
Construction costUS$210 million
($432 million in 2023 dollars[5])
ArchitectEllerbe Becket
Project managerFox Management Company[1]
Structural engineer
[6]
Services engineerFlack & Kurtz[7]
General contractorL.F. Driscoll Co.[8]
Tenants
Philadelphia Flyers(NHL) (1996–present)
Philadelphia 76ers(NBA) (1996–present)
Villanova Wildcats(NCAA) (1996–present)[note 1]
Philadelphia Big 5(NCAA) (2023-present)
Philadelphia Phantoms(AHL) (1996–2009)[note 2]
Philadelphia Wings(NLL) (1997–2014,2018–present)
Philadelphia Soul(AFL) (2004–2008, 2011–2019)
Website
wellsfargocenterphilly.com

TheWells Fargo Centeris a multi-purposeindoor arenalocated inPhiladelphia.It serves as the home of thePhiladelphia Flyersof theNational Hockey League(NHL), thePhiladelphia 76ersof theNational Basketball Association(NBA), and thePhiladelphia Wingsof theNational Lacrosse League(NLL). The arena lies at the southwest corner of theSouth Philadelphia Sports Complex,which includesLincoln Financial Field,Citizens Bank Park,andXfinity Live!.

The Wells Fargo Center, originally calledSpectrum II,was completed in 1996 to replace theSpectrumas the home arena of the 76ers and Flyers, on the former site ofJohn F. Kennedy Stadiumat a cost of $210 million, largely privately financed (though the city and state helped to pay for the localinfrastructure). It is owned byComcast Spectacor,which also owns the Flyers, and is operated by its arena-management subsidiary, Global Spectrum. Since opening, it has been known by a number of different names throughnaming rightsdeals and bank mergers, includingCoreStates Centerfrom 1996 to 1998,First Union Centerfrom 1998 to 2003, andWachovia Centerfrom 2003 to 2010. Since 2010, naming rights have been held by financial services companyWells Fargo,after their acquisition of Wachovia.CoreStates Financial Corporationwas acquired byFirst Union,which later also purchased Wachovia National Bank to rename itselfWachovia Corporation;the combined company was acquired byWells Fargoin 2008.

In addition to hosting home games for its main tenants, the arena has been the site of a number of other notable athletic events including games of the1997and2010 Stanley Cup Finals,three games of the2001 NBA Finals,and various collegiate events for theNational Collegiate Athletic Association(NCAA). Wells Fargo Center has hosted two political conventions, hosting the2000 Republican National Conventionand2016 Democratic National Convention.The arena is a regular venue for concerts andWWEevents. The arena has a concertseating capacityof 21,000 seated and at least 21,500 standing.

Naming rights

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The Wells Fargo Center, then named the Wachovia Center, in December 2005

Prior to its construction, the proposed arena was tentatively called "Spectrum II".[10]The Wells Fargo Center was originally named forCoreStates Financial Corporation,which agreed to pay $40 million over 21 years for the naming rights, with additional terms to be settled later for an additional eight-year period at the end of the contract.

The contract went through multiple hands due to various bank mergers; first byFirst Unionin 1998,Wachoviain 2003, and currently byWells Fargosince July 2010.[11][12][13]Installation of the new Wells Fargo Center branding began on July 27, 2010, with the removal of the Wachovia Center signage, followed by the installation of the new Wells Fargo Center signage. Work was completed in September 2010.[14]

During the2015–16 NBA seasonfor a short time, the 76ers ceased recognizing Wells Fargo's naming rights and referred to the facility exclusively as "The Center", as the institution was not a sponsor of the team. The Wells Fargo Center logo decal which sat on the 76ers court was in the most minimal text discernible by television cameras, colored in white to blend in with the floor. (Reportedly, 76ers CEO Scott O'Neil's first idea was to color it with clear-coat paint only visible with UVblacklightingshowing the logo during the opening of Sixers games when the arena lights were drawn down; however, the team, after discussion with their lawyers, elected not to do so.) With the start of the new year in January 2016 with input from Comcast Spectacor, the logo decal was enlarged and repainted in black. The 76ers then signed a non-signage sponsorship agreement with Firstrust Bank as their official banking sponsor.[15][16][17][18]

On July 24, 2024, Wells Fargo announced that it would not renew its naming rights deal with Comcast Spectacor, the owner of the arena, once it expires in August of 2025, ending a 29-year relationship that dates back to one of company's predecessors,CoreStates,sponsoring the arena when it first opened in 1996.[19]

Facilities

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ThePhiladelphia 76erswarming up prior to a game vs the New Jersey Nets, now theBrooklyn Nets,on the arena's old floor design in October 2007
Philadelphia Flyersfans leaving the Wachovia Center after a playoff game in 2010
Rink-side view of the Wells Fargo Center's hockey rink during a game between thePhiladelphia Flyersand theColumbus Blue Jacketsin February 2018

The Wells Fargo Center officially seats 20,318 forNBAandNCAAbasketballand 19,541 forNHLhockey[1]and indoorNLLlacrosse. With additional standing-room admissions available in luxury and club-box suites, the total paid capacity increases. The Wells Fargo Center has 126 luxury suites, 1,880 club-box seats, and a variety of restaurants and clubs (both public and private) available for use by patrons. In addition, the offices, studios, and production facilities ofNBC Sports Philadelphiaare all located in the facility.

On June 10, 2005, the Wachovia Center set a record for the highest attendance for an indoor hockey game in the commonwealth ofPennsylvania(20,103) when thePhiladelphia Phantomswon Game 4 of the2005 Calder Cup Finalsover theChicago Wolvesto win theCalder Cup.The attendance record was broken on June 9, 2010, as the Wachovia Center set another attendance record of 20,327 for Game 6 of the2010 Stanley Cup Finals;the Flyers lost to theChicago Blackhawksin overtime, which gave Chicago its firstStanley Cupsince1961.[20]The Wells Fargo Center also set a record for the highest attendances for a college basketball game in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January 29, 2017, whenVillanovaplayed and defeatedVirginiabefore a crowd of 20,907.

On August 1, 2006,Comcast Spectacorannounced it would install a new center-hung scoreboard to replace the original one made byDaktronics.The new scoreboard, manufactured byANC Sports,is similar to other scoreboards in new NBA & NHL arenas. An additional linear LED display lining the entire arena was also installed between the suite and mezzanine levels. Other renovations for the Wachovia Center's ten-year anniversary included upgrading the suites with more flat screen HDTV's, as well as changing ticket providers fromTicketmastertoNew Era Tickets,which is owned by Comcast Spectacor.

Thepublic address(PA) announcer at the Wells Fargo Center for Flyers games isLou Nolan,who moved with the team from the Spectrum, where he worked since 1972. Matt Cord is the PA announcer for 76ers games. Jim Bachman is the PA announcer for Villanova basketball games. Vinnie Caligiuri was the PA announcer for thePhiladelphia Soulduring their tenure.[21]Kevin Casey handled PA duties for theoriginal Philadelphia Wingsduring their tenure. Marc Farzetta is the PA announcer for thecurrent Philadelphia Wings.[22]

Wells Fargo Center continued further renovations as part of a $265 million "Transformation 2020" initiative. It debuted a new kinetic4K-resolutionscoreboard in September 2019 also byANC Sports,which features two main arrays of outside displays that can expand outwards to a width of 62 feet (19 m), and two 65 foot (20 m) "crown" panels that can be raised and lowered as part of sequences. The arena also unveiled a new premium area for selected ticketholders known as the "Center City Club", and—as part of a partnership withRivers Casino Philadelphia—twosportsbooklounges open to all visitors, which will feature a bar and seating areas, televisions and odds boards, and Rivers Casino ambassadors promoting use of the casino'ssports bettingapp.[23][24][25][26]

The arena also announced the New City Terrace, a revamp of the standing room deck into a 23,000 square foot (2,100 m2) "Assembly Room" (inspired byIndependence Hall), with bars and eateries, fireplaces, and communal areas. The area is designed to provide a "first-class experience at an accessible price point"; the arena's cheapest tickets will feature access to the level.[27][28]

Concerts

[edit]
Bruce SpringsteenandBilly Joelsellout banners hanging in the Wells Fargo Center rafters
  • On August 12, 1996, a private concert byRay Charleswas the first event at the CoreStates Center, with a crowd of nearly 12,000. Each spectator was given a commemorative key acknowledging they helped "open the arena". The inaugural concert, on September 2, 1996, featuredOasis,with TheManic Street Preachersand TheScreaming Trees,before an estimated crowd of 12,000.[9]The Wells Fargo Center has since held other concerts by many famous artists.
  • On December 6, 2002, hard rock bandGuns N' Roseswas scheduled to perform there on itsChinese Democracy Tour.The opening bandsCKYandMix Master Mikeperformed, but the main act, Guns N' Roses, never appeared, fueling a riot in the arena and causing about $30,000 to $40,000 in damage. No reason was ever given for the non-appearance by Guns N' Roses, other than the public announcement that one of the band members was ill.[29]
  • In 2006,Billy Joelset a record when he sold-out his 18th Wachovia Center concert.[30]
  • In 2016, American rock bandPearl Jamplayed two shows, during which they were awarded a banner for ten sell out shows. This then prompted the band on the second night to play their debut albumTenfrom start to finish.

In addition, hanging from the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center are three banners in the orange and black colors of the Flyers honoring Pearl Jam's 10, Billy Joel's 48 Philadelphia sellouts andBruce Springsteen's 56[31]Philadelphia sellouts respectively.

Tenants

[edit]
TheFlyersplaying theNew Jersey Devilsat the Wells Fargo Center in March 2014
The76ersplaying theLos Angeles Lakersat the Wells Fargo Center in December 2016
Villanova Wildcats'1985and2016NCAA national championship banners on display in the Wells Fargo Center rafters; the Wildcats play select home games at the Wells Fargo Center.
TheVillanova Wildcatsplaying theOhio Bobcatsat the Wells Fargo Center in November 2019
The Wells Fargo Center before a Flyers game in December 2019

Full time

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Part time

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Former full time

[edit]

Former part time

[edit]

Capacity

[edit]

Notable events

[edit]
TheAHLPhantoms, now theLehigh Valley Phantoms,winning the 2005Calder Cupbefore a crowd of 20,103 on June 10, 2005 in the arena
The arena, then named the Wachovia Center, during aPhiladelphia Soulgame in July 2008
The arena, then the Wachovia Center prior to aPhiladelphia Flyersgame against theNew York Islandersin February 2009

National political conventions

[edit]

Sports

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Esports

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Television

[edit]

Others

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Controversy

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In October 2019, center staff removed fans shouting "Free Hong Kong" at a pre-season basketball game between thePhiladelphia 76ersandGuangzhou Loong Lions.[49]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcde"2014-2015 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide"(PDF).National Hockey League. p. 10.RetrievedFebruary 6,2015.
  2. ^"Wachovia Center Renamed As Wells Fargo Center".The Philadelphia Inquirer.July 27, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  3. ^ab"Team/Arena Info: Philadelphia Flyers".National Hockey League. 2024.RetrievedApril 4,2024.
  4. ^"2017 Arena Football League Blue Book"(PDF).Arena Football League.RetrievedOctober 14,2017.
  5. ^1634–1699:McCusker, J. J.(1997).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1700–1799:McCusker, J. J.(1992).How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States(PDF).American Antiquarian Society.1800–present:Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis."Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–".RetrievedFebruary 29,2024.
  6. ^"Case Histories"(PDF).Chance Civil Construction. May 8, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 20,2012.
  7. ^Lampert-Greaux, Ellen (May 1, 1997)."CoreStates Center: The New Home of the Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers Mixes Sports and Entertainment in a High-Tech Setting".TCI.RetrievedMarch 6,2012.
  8. ^"The Wachovia Center".LF Driscoll Co. 2010.RetrievedJanuary 20,2012.
  9. ^ab"Wells Fargo Center History".Comcast Spectacor, L.P. Archived fromthe originalon September 9, 2010.RetrievedJuly 9,2010.
  10. ^Ford, Bob; McCoy, Craig; Macnow, Glen (November 30, 1993)."Spectrum II In Peril Again".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  11. ^Seravalli, Frank (July 2, 2010)."It's Officially the Wells Fargo Center".The Philadelphia Inquirer.Archived fromthe originalon August 11, 2010.RetrievedJuly 9,2010.
  12. ^O'Brien, James (July 2, 2010)."Flyers' Arena Undergoes Name Change from Wachovia to Wells Fargo Center".NBC Sports.NBC Universal. Archived fromthe originalon August 14, 2010.RetrievedJuly 9,2010.
  13. ^"The Building the Flyers and Sixers Play in" Prepares for Yet Another New Name ".February 12, 2010. The700Level.com. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  14. ^DiStefano, Joseph N. (July 28, 2010)."PhillyDeals: Sixers-Flyers Arena Gets a New Name—Again".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedApril 20,2015.
  15. ^"Sixers Decide To No Longer Refer To Home Arena As The Wells Fargo Center".Associated Press. 10 June 2015.RetrievedJune 11,2015.
  16. ^Bell, Demetrius."Sixers take passive-aggressive shot at Wells Fargo with logo placement on court".SportsLogos.Net News.Retrieved2021-08-15.
  17. ^Bell, Demetrius."Sixers enlarge Wells Fargo logo on court".SportsLogos.Net News.Retrieved2021-08-15.
  18. ^Firstrust Bank looks past 76ers’ Wells Fargo arena deal in new sponsorship
  19. ^"Wells Fargo to end naming rights deal with Sixers,' Flyers' arena".ESPN(viaThe Associated Press).Retrieved2024-07-24.
  20. ^"Flyers Break Single-Season Attendance Record".National Hockey League. June 9, 2010.RetrievedJune 10,2010.
  21. ^"Voices of the Soul | PhiladelphiaSoul.com".Retrieved2019-02-21.
  22. ^"MARC FARZETTA BECOMES THE VOICE OF THE WINGS".Philadelphia Wings.2018-11-01.Retrieved2019-02-21.
  23. ^Maykuth, Andrew (5 September 2019)."Rinkside wagering: Flyers, Wells Fargo Center make SugarHouse their official sportsbook".Inquirer.com.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  24. ^"You can 'bet' the fan experience at Flyers games is about to be much different".NBC Sports Philadelphia.2019-09-04.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  25. ^Hernandez, Kristian (26 September 2019)."Wells Fargo Center Lifts First-Ever 4K Kinetic Scoreboard to the Rafters in South Philadelphia".Sports Video Group.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  26. ^Narducci, Marc (10 September 2019)."New Kinetic 4K Scoreboard, Center City Club, unveiled at Wells Fargo Center".Inquirer.com.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  27. ^Sigafoos, Stephanie (12 September 2019)."An over-the-top overhaul: This part of Wells Fargo Center's $265 million facelift screams HGTV instead of NHL hockey".mcall.com.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  28. ^"Wells Fargo Center introduces $25 standing room tickets to Flyers games".phillyvoice.com.11 September 2019.Retrieved2019-10-03.
  29. ^"Guns N'Roses Tour Canceled after Philadelphia Debacle".Billboard.AllBusiness.com. December 21, 2002.RetrievedJanuary 20,2012.
  30. ^"Wells Fargo Center Celebrates 15 Years".The Philadelphia Inquirer.August 30, 2011.RetrievedJune 14,2012.
  31. ^Matlack, Bennett [@bbqaficionado] (February 13, 2016)."@springsteen Look out Joe DiMaggio! #RiverTourPhilly"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  32. ^"Villanova University Official Athletic Site - Tickets".Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-20.
  33. ^abEichel, Larry (December 29, 2002)."Attendance dips for Flyers, 76ers".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  34. ^Juliano, Joe (December 12, 2006)."76ers Playing Transition Game Empty: A.I.'s Things are Gone, but Losing Streak Continues".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  35. ^Gabriel, Kerith (October 27, 2010)."Visit by Heat's James, Wade, and Bosh Makes Opener a Hot Ticket".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  36. ^"2015-2016 Philadelphia 76ers Media Guide"(PDF).National Basketball Association. November 16, 2015. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 21, 2016.RetrievedOctober 14,2017.
  37. ^Blockus, Gary R. (October 6, 1996)."Flyers Get Robbed Again By Vanbiesbrouck The Beezer Turns Away 31 Shots To Break In 'The Vault'".The Morning Call.Allentown. Archived fromthe originalon May 13, 2014.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  38. ^Moran, Edward (April 21, 1997)."Quiet A Difference In The Arenas It's Same Fans, But Just Not As Loud".Philadelphia Daily News.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  39. ^"2003 National Hockey League Franchise Directory".SportsBusiness Journal.September 29, 2003.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  40. ^Carchidi, Sam (January 12, 2009)."Biron Regaining His Playoff Touch".The Philadelphia Inquirer.RetrievedFebruary 5,2013.
  41. ^"2015-2016 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide"(PDF).National Hockey League. 2015.RetrievedOctober 14,2017.
  42. ^"The National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2017"(PDF).National Hockey League. 2016. p. 102.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  43. ^"Team/Arena Info: Philadelphia Flyers".National Hockey League. 2018.RetrievedJanuary 19,2019.
  44. ^Chiappetta, Mike (February 2, 2011)."Philadelphia Targeted for UFC 133".MMAfighting.com.RetrievedJuly 1,2011.
  45. ^"NCAA taps Pa. for 2013, 2014 championship games".The Seattle Times.July 13, 2010.
  46. ^"2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15".usagym.org.RetrievedMarch 1,2019.
  47. ^"NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia comes to Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, Jan. 27".WWE. November 18, 2017.RetrievedNovember 23,2017.
  48. ^Wells Fargo Center [@WellsFargoCtr] (November 8, 2023)."Three huge events have been added to @WWE WrestleMania Week in Philadelphia! Friday Night Smackdown & 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Friday, April 5 NXT Stand & Deliver Saturday, April 6 Monday Night RAW Monday, April 8 All three events right here at Wells Fargo Center! Combo Tickets for all three events on-sale next Friday, November 17"(Tweet).RetrievedNovember 12,2023– viaTwitter.
  49. ^Ileto, Christie (October 9, 2019)."Sixers fan supporting Hong Kong ejected from preseason game amid NBA-China controversy".6abc Philadelphia.WPVI-TV Philadelphia.

Notes

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  1. ^Villanova utilized the venue full-time 2017–2018, part-time in other years.
  2. ^Phantoms utilized the venue full-time 2004–2005, part-time in other years.
[edit]
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