The Philadelphia 76ers have decided to stay in their hometown and are planning to build a new arena in the heart of the city.
The Philadelphia 76ers have decided to stay in their hometown, putting an end to speculation about a possible move to New Jersey. Despite an attractive offer from the governor of New Jersey, who offered $400 million in tax breaks to build an arena in Camden, the choice fell on Philadelphia.
Controversial agreement
“This is a historic agreement,” Mayor Cherelle Parker announced on Wednesday (September 18) in a video published on Platform X. She emphasized that this was the right deal for the people of Philadelphia, but said she was aware of the concerns of Chinatown residents. “I hear you, and I am committed to working together to support our community.” However, Chinatown activists fear that the project could significantly change the character of their neighborhood.
The 76ers’ vision
The 76ers’ owners plan to build the new arena, to be called “76 Place,” near City Hall, in an effort to revitalize the struggling retail area and make better use of city infrastructure. The current stadium, located in the South Philadelphia sports complex and in use since 1996, will no longer be used when the lease expires in 2031.
The group’s lead partner, Josh Harris, explained that the new stadium will be fully privately financed and that investments will benefit local communities, particularly in terms of equity, inclusion and accessibility.
The current home stadium, rented from Comcast Spectacor, also serves the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. However, the 76ers want their own modern venue that they can also rent out for concerts and other events.
Protests from Chinatown
Since the 1990s, development has increasingly restricted the neighborhood of Chinatown, putting a heavy strain on residents. Activists from the “Save Chinatown Coalition” fear that the new arena will increase traffic and displace vulnerable groups, and protested symbolically with lanterns in front of city hall.
Despite the protests, the 76ers are confident. “We are grateful for the support of Mayor Parker and look forward to the next steps with the City Council,” said a team spokesperson. At the same time, Comcast Spectacor stated that they remain open to working together while also working with the Phillies (Major League Baseball team) to expand entertainment at the sports complex in South Philadelphia.
