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Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)

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"Wachovia Center" redirects here. For the Winston-Salem, North Carolina building, see 100 North Main Street.
Wells Fargo Center
File:Wells Fargo Center.jpg

Northwest corner of the venue (c.2010)
Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates 39°54′4″N 75°10′19″W / 39.90111°N 75.17194°W / 39.90111; -75.17194Coordinates: 39°54′4″N 75°10′19″W / 39.90111°N 75.17194°W / 39.90111; -75.17194
Broke ground September 14, 1994
Opened August 13, 1996[1]
Owner Comcast Spectacor
Construction cost US$210 million
($311 million in 2018 dollars[2])
Architect Ellerbe Becket
Project Manager Fox Management Company[3]
Structural engineer
  • Walter P Moore
  • Bernard Schwartz & Associates
[4]
Services engineer Flack & Kurtz[5]
General Contractor L.F. Driscoll Co.[6]
Former names
  • CoreStates Center (1996–98)[3]
  • First Union Center (1998–2003)[3]
  • Wachovia Center (2003–10)[7]
Tenants
Capacity

The Wells Fargo Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Philadelphia. It serves as the home of the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League (AFL) and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The arena lies at the southwest corner of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, which includes Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and Xfinity Live!.

The Wells Fargo Center, originally called Spectrum II, was completed in 1996 to replace the Spectrum as the home arena of the 76ers and Flyers, on the former site of John F. Kennedy Stadium at a cost of $210 million, largely privately financed (though the city and state helped to pay for the local infrastructure). It is owned by Comcast 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 through naming rights deals and bank mergers, including CoreStates Center from 1996 to 1998, First Union Center from 1998 to 2003, and Wachovia Center from 2003 to 2010. Since 2010, naming rights have been held by financial services company Wells Fargo, after their merger with Wachovia.

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 1 and 2 from the 1997 and Games 3, 4 and 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, Games 3, 4 and 5 of the 2001 NBA Finals, and various collegiate events for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Wells Fargo Center has hosted two political conventions, hosting the 2000 Republican National Convention and 2016 Democratic National Convention. The arena is a regular venue for concerts and WWE events. The arena has a concert seating capacity of 21,000 seated and at least 21,500 standing.

Naming rights[]

File:Philly (35).jpg

The then-Wachovia Center, December 2005

Before its construction, the proposed arena was tentatively called "Spectrum II".[11] The Wells Fargo Center was originally named for CoreStates Bank, 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.

However, the contract has gone through multiple hands due to various bank mergers; first by First Union Bank in 1998, Wachovia in 2003, and currently by Wells Fargo in July 2010.[12][13][14] 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.[15]

Beginning in the 2015–16 NBA season for a short time, the 76ers ceased recognizing Wells Fargo's naming rights and referred to the facility exclusively as "The Center", as the institution is 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 UV blacklighting showing 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.[16][17][18][19]

Facilities[]

File:Wells Fargo Center (Philadephia) Rinkside Shot.jpg

Rink-side view of the Wells Fargo Center's hockey rink during a game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Wells Fargo Center officially seats 20,318 for NBA and NCAA basketball and 19,541 for NHL hockey[3] and indoor NLL lacrosse. 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 of NBC Sports Philadelphia are all located in the facility.

File:WachoviaCenterInterior.JPG

Then-Wachovia Center prior to a 76ers game vs the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) on the old floor design.

File:Fans Leaving Flyers' Playoff Game 2010.jpg

Flyers fans leaving the Wachovia Center after Playoff Game in 2010.

On June 10, 2005, the Wachovia Center set a record for the highest attendance for an indoor hockey game in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania (20,103) when the Philadelphia Phantoms won Game 4 of the 2005 Calder Cup Finals over the Chicago Wolves to win the Calder 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 the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals; the Flyers lost to the Chicago Blackhawks in overtime, which gave Chicago its first Stanley Cup since 1961.[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, when Villanova played and defeated Virginia before a crowd of 20,907.

On August 1, 2006, Comcast Spectacor announced it would install a new center-hung scoreboard to replace the original one made by Daktronics. The new scoreboard, manufactured by ANC 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 from Ticketmaster to New Era Tickets, which is owned by Comcast Spectacor.

The PA announcer at the Wells Fargo Center for Flyers games is Lou 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 is the PA announcer for the Philadelphia Soul.[21] Kevin Casey handled PA duties for the original Philadelphia Wings during their tenure. Marc Farzetta is the PA announcer for the current Philadelphia Wings.[22]

Concerts[]

Main article: List of concerts at the Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia)
Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel sellout banners hanging in the rafters
  • On August 13, 1996, a private concert by Ray Charles was 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, featured Oasis, with The Manic Street Preachers and The Screaming Trees, before an estimated crowd of 12,000.[1] The Wells Fargo Center has since held other concerts by many famous artists.
  • On December 6, 2002, hard rock band Guns N' Roses was scheduled to perform there on its Chinese Democracy Tour. The opening bands CKY and Mix Master Mike performed, 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.[23]
  • In 2006, Billy Joel set a record when he sold-out his 18th Wachovia Center concert.[24]

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 and Bruce Springsteen's 56[25] Philadelphia sellouts respectively.

Tenants[]

File:WellsFargoCenterPhila 29.JPG

The Flyers playing the New Jersey Devils at the Wells Fargo Center.

File:76ers WFC 2016.jpg

The 76ers playing the Los Angeles Lakers at the Wells Fargo Center in 2016.

File:Villanova Banners.jpg

Villanova Wildcats NCAA National Championship banners on display in the rafters. The Wildcats play select home games at the Wells Fargo Center.

Full time[]

Part time[]

  • Villanova University Wildcats of the NCAA; High-attendance home games for which the on-campus arena, Finneran Pavilion, is inadequate to accommodate are played at the Wells Fargo Center. The men's team played the majority of its home games of the 2017–18 season here while Finneran Pavilion underwent renovations.[26]

Former full time[]

  • Philadelphia Wings (original franchise) of the NLL

Former part time[]

  • Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League (AHL); The Flyers' AHL development club played some regular season and Calder Cup playoff games at the Wells Fargo Center each season between 1996 and 2009 when the Spectrum was unavailable because of other events.

Capacity[]

Basketball
Years Capacity
1996–2006 20,338[27]
2006–2010 20,318[28]
2010–2015 20,328[29]
2015–present 20,478[8]

Hockey
Years Capacity
1996–1997 19,463[30]
1997–1998 19,511[31]
1998–2003 19,519[27]
2003–2008 19,523[32]
2008–2014 19,537[33]
2014–2015 19,541[3]
2015–2016 19,543[34]
2016–2018 19,605[35]
2018–present 19,306[9]

Notable events[]

File:Wachoviacenterpriortoflyersgame.JPG

The then-Wachovia Center prior to a Flyers game against the New York Islanders.

The Then-Wachovia Center during a game in 2008.

The Then-Wachovia Center during a Philadelphia Soul game in 2008.

File:Wachovia Center satellite view.png

Satellite view of the Wachovia Center

File:Rousey HOF 2018 (cropped).jpg

Former UFC star, Ronda Rousey made her WWE surprise debut at the Wells Fargo Center.

Sports[]

  • 1996 World Cup of Hockey (three games)
  • WWF In Your House: Mind Games, 1996
  • 1997 Stanley Cup Finals
  • 1998 United States Figure Skating Championships
  • 1998 NLL Championship
  • 1999 AHL All-Star Classic
  • WrestleMania XV, 1999
  • 2000 NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four
  • WWF Unforgiven, 2000
  • 2001 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional
  • 2001 NBA Finals
    • The Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship at the Wells Fargo Center, winning Game 5 and the series, 4-1.
  • X Games VII, 2001
  • 2002 NBA All-Star Game
  • X Games VIII, 2002
  • WWE Royal Rumble, 2004
  • 2005 AHL Calder Cup Finals
    • The Philadelphia Phantoms won the Calder Cup at the Wells Fargo Center, defeating the Chicago Wolves in Game 4 and winning the series, 4-0.
  • 2006 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, 1st & 2nd rounds
  • WWE Survivor Series, 2006
  • U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics, 2008
  • 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, 1st & 2nd rounds
  • WWE Night of Champions, 2009
  • UFC 101, 2009
  • 2010 Stanley Cup Finals
  • NCAA Men's Wrestling Championship, 2011
  • UFC 133, 2011[36]
  • 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, 2nd & 3rd rounds
  • WWE Money in the Bank, 2013
  • NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship, 2014[37]
  • 2014 NHL Entry Draft
  • WWE Royal Rumble, 2015
  • 2016 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional
  • 2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions[38]
  • WWE Battleground, 2017
  • ArenaBowl XXX, 2017
  • WWE NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, 2018[39]
  • WWE Royal Rumble, 2018
  • WWE Extreme Rules, 2019

Television[]

  • Wheel of Fortune from Philadelphia, 2004
File:Phantoms CalderCup 2.jpg

The AHL Phantoms winning the 2005 Calder Cup before an SRO crowd of 20,103 on June 10, 2005; then the Wachovia Center.

  • Wheel of Fortune Teen Best Friends Week, 2005
  • American Idol auditions, 2007
  • Harvest America, 2013

Politics[]

  • 2000 Republican National Convention
  • 2016 Democratic National Convention

See also[]

Portal icon Philadelphia portal
  • List of indoor arenas in the United States
  • List of NCAA Division I basketball arenas

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wells Fargo Center History". Comcast Spectacor, L.P.. http://www.wellsfargocenterphilly.com/history.aspx. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  2. ↑ Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2008. Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Retrieved December 7, 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "2014-2015 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide". National Hockey League. p. 10. https://devilsmedia.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/philadelpha-flyers-2014-15-media-guide.pdf. Retrieved February 6, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Case Histories". Chance Civil Construction. May 8, 2009. http://www.abchance.com/resources/case-histories/01-9608_32.pdf. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  5. ↑ 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. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9305849_ITM. Retrieved March 6, 2012.
  6. ↑ "The Wachovia Center". LF Driscoll Co.. 2010. http://www.lfdriscoll.com/experience/entertn/firstunion.html. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Wachovia Center Renamed As Wells Fargo Center". The Philadelphia Inquirer. July 27, 2010. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20100727_Wachovia_Center_renamed_as_Wells_Fargo_Center.html. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "2015-2016 Philadelphia 76ers Media Guide". National Basketball Association. November 16, 2015. https://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/sixers/pdfs/Sixers_MediaGuide_15-16.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Team/Arena Info: Philadelphia Flyers". National Hockey League. 2018. http://www.nhl.com/ice/m_teaminfo.htm?team=PHI. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  10. ↑ "2017 Arena Football League Blue Book". Arena Football League. http://www.afldigital.com/_resource/downloads/afl-blue-book.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  11. ↑ Ford, Bob; McCoy, Craig; Macnow, Glen (November 30, 1993). "Spectrum II In Peril Again". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/1993-11-30/sports/25947135_1_snider-spectrum-ii-spectacor. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  12. ↑ Seravalli, Frank (July 2, 2010). "It's Officially the Wells Fargo Center". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/97648719.html. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  13. ↑ O'Brien, James (July 2, 2010). "Flyers' Arena Undergoes Name Change from Wachovia to Wells Fargo Center". NBC Sports. NBC Universal. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2010/07/flyers-arena-undergoes-name-change-from-wachovia-to-wells-fargo-center.php. Retrieved July 9, 2010.
  14. ↑ "The Building the Flyers and Sixers Play in" Prepares for Yet Another New Name". February 12, 2010. The700Level.com. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  15. ↑ DiStefano, Joseph N. (July 28, 2010). "PhillyDeals: Sixers-Flyers Arena Gets a New Name—Again". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/2010-07-28/business/24972159_1_comcast-spectacor-barbara-nate-corestates. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Sixers Decide To No Longer Refer To Home Arena As The Wells Fargo Center". http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/06/10/sixers-decide-to-no-longer-refer-to-home-arena-as-the-wells-fargo-center/. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  17. ↑ Sixers take passive-aggressive shot at Wells Fargo with logo placement on court
  18. ↑ Sixers enlarge Wells Fargo logo on court
  19. ↑ Firstrust Bank looks past 76ers’ Wells Fargo arena deal in new sponsorship
  20. ↑ "Flyers Break Single-Season Attendance Record". National Hockey League. June 9, 2010. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=531345. Retrieved June 10, 2010.
  21. ↑ "Voices of the Soul | PhiladelphiaSoul.com". http://www.philadelphiasoul.com/index.cfm?go=team&show=voices.
  22. ↑ "MARC FARZETTA BECOMES THE VOICE OF THE WINGS" (in en-US). 2018-11-01. https://wingslax.com/media/marc-farzetta-becomes-the-voice-of-the-wings/.
  23. ↑ "Guns N'Roses Tour Canceled after Philadelphia Debacle". Billboard (AllBusiness.com). December 21, 2002. http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4648996-1.html. Retrieved January 20, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Wells Fargo Center Celebrates 15 Years". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 30, 2011. http://mobile.philly.com/sports/flyers/?wss=/philly/sports/flyers&id=128722898. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  25. ↑ Bennett Matlack [@bbqaficionado] (February 13, 2016). "@springsteen Look out Joe DiMaggio! #RiverTourPhilly". https://twitter.com/bbqaficionado/status/698512689774120960.
  26. ↑ http://www.villanova.com/tickets/m-baskbl-tickets.html
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Eichel, Larry (December 29, 2002). "Attendance dips for Flyers, 76ers". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/2002-12-29/sports/25359687_1_sixers-comcast-spectacor-ventures-first-union-center/2. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  28. ↑ Juliano, Joe (December 12, 2006). "76ers Playing Transition Game Empty: A.I.'s Things are Gone, but Losing Streak Continues". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/2006-12-12/sports/25398740_1_sixers-locker-allen-iverson. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  29. ↑ Gabriel, Kerith (October 27, 2010). "Visit by Heat's James, Wade, and Bosh Makes Opener a Hot Ticket". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/2010-10-27/sports/24953008_1_stubhub-sixers-hot-ticket. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  30. ↑ 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). http://articles.mcall.com/1996-10-06/sports/3125333_1_john-vanbiesbrouck-eric-desjardins-center-ice. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  31. ↑ Moran, Edward (April 21, 1997). "Quiet A Difference In The Arenas It's Same Fans, But Just Not As Loud". Philadelphia Daily News. http://articles.philly.com/1997-04-21/sports/25532291_1_lower-bowl-luxury-seating-fan. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  32. ↑ "2003 National Hockey League Franchise Directory". SportsBusiness Journal. September 29, 2003. http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/09/20030929/Special-Report/2003-National-Hockey-League-Franchise-Directory.aspx. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  33. ↑ Carchidi, Sam (January 12, 2009). "Biron Regaining His Playoff Touch". The Philadelphia Inquirer. http://articles.philly.com/2009-01-12/sports/25279656_1_defenseman-braydon-coburn-flyers-figure-penguins-coach-michel-therrien. Retrieved February 5, 2013.
  34. ↑ "2015-2016 Philadelphia Flyers Media Guide". National Hockey League. 2015. http://flyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/01%20-%20Publications/2015-16_FLYERS_Media_Guide_FINAL.pdf. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  35. ↑ "The National Hockey League Official Guide and Record Book 2017". National Hockey League. 2016. p. 102. https://devilsmedia.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/2016-17_guiderecordbook_3-0.pdf. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  36. ↑ Chiappetta, Mike (February 2, 2011). "Philadelphia Targeted for UFC 133". MMAfighting.com. http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/02/02/philadelphia-targeted-for-ufc-133/. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  37. ↑ "NCAA taps Pa. for 2013, 2014 championship games". The Seattle Times. July 13, 2010. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2012347756_aphkcncaafrozenfour.html.
  38. ↑ "2016 Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions takes center stage beginning Sept. 15". usagym.org. https://usagym.org/pages/post.html?PostID=19213. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  39. ↑ "NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia comes to Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, Jan. 27". WWE. November 18, 2017. http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-takeover-philadelphia-tickets. Retrieved November 23, 2017.

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