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Spectrum (arena)
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The Spectrum (later known as CoreStates Spectrum, First Union Spectrum and Wachovia Spectrum) was an indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The arena opened in September 1967 as part of what is now known as the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. After several expansions of its seating capacity, it accommodated 18,168 for basketball and 17,380 for ice hockey, arena football, indoor soccer, and box lacrosse.

Key Information

The final event at the Spectrum was a Pearl Jam concert on October 31, 2009.[2] The arena was demolished between November 2010 and May 2011.

History

[edit]

Opened as the Spectrum in September 1967, Philadelphia's first modern indoor sports arena was built to be the home of the expansion Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, and also to accommodate the existing Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. The building was the second major sports facility built at the south end of Broad Street in an area previously known as East League Island Park and now referred to simply as the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Early years

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Ground was broken on the arena on June 1, 1966, by Jerry Wolman and then-Philadelphia Mayor James Tate as the home of the NHL's expansion Philadelphia Flyers.[1] The first event at the arena was the Quaker City Jazz Festival on September 30, 1967,[3] produced by Larry Magid.[4]

The first sporting event at the arena was an October 17, 1967 boxing match featuring Joe Frazier vs. Tony Doyle.[5] From 1967 through 1972, fifteen fight cards were held at the Spectrum. The NBA's 76ers also moved there from Convention Hall as a second major league sports tenant. Lou Scheinfeld, former President of the Spectrum, explained that the name "Spectrum" was selected to evoke the broad range of events to be held there: "The 'SP' for 'sports' and 'South Philadelphia', 'E' for 'entertainment', 'C' for 'circuses', 'T' for 'theatricals', 'R' for 'recreation', and 'UM' as 'um, what a nice building!'" Scheinfeld also said that a seat in the city's first superbox initially cost $1,000 a year: "For every Flyers game, Sixers game, circus, you name it, you got 250 events for $1,000."[6] The Flyers won their first ever home game in this arena by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 1–0. Bill Sutherland scored the arena's first goal.

On March 1, 1968, wind blew part of the covering off the Spectrum's roof during a performance of the Ice Capades, forcing the building to close for a month while Mayor Tate fought with then-Philadelphia County District Attorney Arlen Specter over responsibility for the construction of the roof, and the damage was repaired.[7] The 76ers moved their home games to Convention Hall and to the Palestra, but neither of those arenas had ice rinks at the time, and there were no other NHL-quality sites in the Philadelphia area. The Flyers hurriedly moved their next home game against the Oakland Seals to Madison Square Garden in New York followed by a meeting with the Boston Bruins played at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto before establishing a base at Le Colisée in Quebec City, home of their top minor league team, the AHL Quebec Aces, for the remainder of their regular season, marking the first NHL games in Quebec City in over four decades, and years before the Quebec Nordiques joined the NHL. The roof was repaired in time to permit the Flyers to return to the Spectrum to open their first Stanley Cup playoffs against the St. Louis Blues on April 4, 1968; the opening faceoff came just as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was transpiring in Memphis, Tennessee.[8] Similarly, in 1993, the Flyers played a day game against the Los Angeles Kings during a blizzard. A piece of flying debris smashed out one of the concourse windows, cancelling the game just after the first period.

In the 1970s, the venue's location near Broad Street and the reputation for fisticuffs that the Flyers had developed led to the nickname "Broad Street Bullies".

In 1976, the local pay television service PRISM (so-named in part as you could see "the spectrum" via a prism) was launched by Spectacor, carrying home games of the Flyers and 76ers (as well as the Phillies); PRISM's technical and studio operations were based out of the event level of the Spectrum (though PRISM's administrative offices were instead located in Bala Cynwyd). PRISM's successor, NBC Sports Philadelphia, is based out of the present-day Xfinity Mobile Arena in a similar arrangement.

A plaque inside The Spectrum stated that it held the world record for the fastest conversion from Hockey to Basketball.

The Spectrum, along with the Met Center and The Forum, was one of the first sports arenas to have a scoreboard with a messageboard. Furthermore, the messageboards on the Spectrum scoreboard were the first dot matrix screens in pro hockey or basketball, capable of photos, animation, and replays as well as messages. This was replaced in 1986 with ArenaVision, which consisted of six 9-by-12-foot (2.7 by 3.7 m) rear-projection videoscreens at the top and a four-sided American Sign and Indicator scoreboard at the bottom. Inside the videoscreens were General Electric projectors located 15 feet (4.6 m) away from each screen.[9]

Seating capacity

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Flyers and 76ers' championships and All-Star Games hosted

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The Spectrum's ice rink

The Flyers won their first Stanley Cup at the Spectrum on May 19, 1974, defeating the Boston Bruins, 1–0, in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in front of a then-capacity crowd of 17,007. Perhaps the most important and emotional hockey game—or sporting event of any kind—ever held there, however, came at the height of the Cold War on January 11, 1976, when the Flyers became the first NHL team to defeat (by 4–1) the vaunted hockey team of the Soviet Central Red Army (ЦСКА). [1] Two games in the inaugural Canada Cup hockey tournament were also held at the Spectrum in September of that year, as the U.S. took on Czechoslovakia and the USSR.

Ten NHL or NBA playoff championship series were hosted at the Spectrum. The Flyers competed in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, and 1987. The 76ers played in the NBA Finals in 1977, 1980, 1982, and 1983. The 1976 and 1992 NHL, and 1970 and 1976 NBA All-Star Games were also held here. The AHL Phantoms also won their first Calder Cup title on Spectrum ice before a sellout crowd of 17,380 on June 10, 1998, by defeating the Saint John Flames, 6–1.

The only visitors to win the Stanley Cup and NBA championship at the Spectrum were the Montreal Canadiens (1976) and the Los Angeles Lakers (1980) respectively.

The Spectrum is the only venue to host the NBA and NHL All-Star Games in the same season, doing so in 1976, when it also hosted that year's Final Four. It is also one of a handful of venues to host the Stanley Cup and NBA Finals at the same time, doing so in 1980 (all four major Philadelphia teams would reach the championship round of their respective sport in 1980).

College basketball tournaments

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The Spectrum was used for many basketball tournaments, including Big Five games, eight Atlantic 10 Conference tournaments (1977, 1983, 1997–2002), the 1975, 1980 and 1992 NCAA East Regional (site of the famous last-second shot by Christian Laettner of Duke to beat Kentucky), and the 1976 and 1981 Final Fours (both won by Bob Knight's Indiana Hoosiers). Smaller conferences preferred holding tournament games at this venue over the larger Center nearby.

Bull riding

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In 2003 and 2004, the PBR brought their Built Ford Tough Series tour to the Spectrum.

Notable concerts

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Billboard ad for the arena in 1974

Many concerts were staged at the Spectrum, often praised for its acoustic properties, beginning in the 1960s. In the 1970s, Electric Factory Concerts became the prominent concert promoter for the facility.[31]

Philadelphia soul groups that performed at the Spectrum include LaBelle in '71 and Hall & Oates in '83. The O'Jays (they were signed to Philadelphia International) performed there in '73, and Lou Rawls (also signed to Philly International) performed there in '69. Boyz II Men from Philly performed there in '95.

Guns N' Roses performed at the Philadelphia Spectrum on August 4, 1988; August 5, 1988; June 13, 1991; December 16, 1991; and December 17, 1991.[38]

Spectrum Theater

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The Spectrum Theater was a venue for acts not big enough to fill the entire Spectrum arena. The stage was placed in the middle of the Spectrum floor, and the other half of the arena behind the stage was closed off with curtains, creating a theater-like environment. Some of the acts that played in this configuration included Frank Zappa in 1973, 1976 and 1977; David Bowie's Diamond Dogs Tour in 1974; The Kinks' Soap Opera Tour in May 1975, Bob Marley's Natty Dread Tour in 1975 and Kaya Tour in 1978; Bruce Springsteen in 1976; The Bee Gees in 1979; Peter Gabriel's tour in 1982; Howard Jones in 1985 and Julian Lennon with Chris Bliss on June 20, 1986.

The Flyers and 76ers' move

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The 1995–96 NHL and NBA seasons were the final ones for the Flyers and the 76ers at the Spectrum. The 76ers' last game was a 112–92 loss to the Orlando Magic on April 19; on May 12, Eric Lindros scored the arena's final Flyers goal in the 2nd period, and Mike Hough of the Florida Panthers scored the arena's final official NHL goal in the 2nd overtime of Game 5 of the 1996 Eastern Conference semifinals, a 2–1 Flyers loss. Although both the Flyers and 76ers moved across the parking lot to the new and larger Xfinity Mobile Arena (then CoreStates Center), the arena remained in place and was used by the Philadelphia Phantoms of the AHL, the Philadelphia KiXX of the NISL, the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League for Saturday home games, and a variety of other sporting events and concerts.

The Spectrum had relatively few luxury suites or other amenities common in newer arenas. Additionally, the arena's sight lines were cited as a concern. Some seats in both the hockey and basketball configurations (especially those added in the upper level over the years) had badly obstructed views. There was only one concourse for all three levels, making for somewhat cramped conditions whenever attendance was anywhere near capacity.[citation needed]

Final season

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A special logo was used for the final season of the Spectrum's use, featuring the arena's original pre-1994 logo and nickname.

On July 14, 2008, Comcast Spectacor Chairman Ed Snider officially announced that the Spectrum would be shuttered and torn down to make way for Philly Live!, a proposed retail, dining and entertainment hub. "This has been one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make," said Snider. "The Spectrum is my baby. It's one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me."

The Phantoms commemorated the final season of the Spectrum by wearing a special patch on their uniforms, as illustrated on the right. The team also celebrated some of the building's memorable moments throughout the season. The Flyers marked the last season by playing two pre-season games at the Spectrum. They played the Carolina Hurricanes in an NHL pre-season game on September 27, 2008, and the Phantoms on October 7 of that same year. Before the game against Carolina, the Flyers honored the team captains in the franchise's history. Those honored in the pre-game ceremony were Lou Angotti, Ed Van Impe, Bob Clarke, Mel Bridgman, Bill Barber, Dave Poulin, Ron Sutter, Kevin Dineen, Éric Desjardins, Keith Primeau and Derian Hatcher.[39]

Wachovia Spectrum during demolition in 2010.

The last NCAA basketball game the Spectrum hosted saw the Villanova Wildcats defeat the Pittsburgh Panthers on January 28, 2009.[40] The Sixers played one regular season game against Chicago Bulls on March 13, 2009, winning by a score of 104–101 in the final NBA game in the Spectrum.[41][42] The game was sold-out and attendance was 17,563.[41][43]

Banners for the final regular season hockey game at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, PA, on April 10, 2009. (Philadelphia Phantoms vs. Hershey Bears, 5–2).

The Phantoms' last regular season game at the Spectrum was played April 10, 2009, against the Hershey Bears, as the Phantoms won the game, 5–2, while the last Kixx game was against the Massachusetts Twisters on March 22. The Kixx moved onto the Temple University campus and played the 2009–10 season at the Liacouras Center. The Phantoms were sold to a Pittsburgh-based ownership group, and moved to Glens Falls, New York, for the 2009–10 season, and subsequently moved to Allentown, where they became the Flyers-affiliated Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

"With this season being the final season of the Wachovia Spectrum, we will celebrate the history of the Spectrum with an exciting, year-long, celebration of events," Comcast Spectacor President Peter Luukko said. Phish was rumored to be among the acts to commemorate the closing of the arena. "It is our hope and intent to bring back many of the musical acts and entertainers who have made the Spectrum 'America's Showplace.'" Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band played two shows at The Spectrum on April 28 and 29 as part of their Working on a Dream Tour, and returned on October 13–14 and 19–20 for their Spectrum swan song. Springsteen debuted a specially-written version of the song "Wrecking Ball", which he had written in honor of the demolition of Giants Stadium, with revised lyrics to honor the Spectrum.

A scheduled concert with Leonard Cohen on October 22 was moved to the Tower Theatre in Upper Darby, instead. On October 23, 2009, Philadelphia area musicians The Hooters, Todd Rundgren and Hall & Oates headlined a concert titled "Last Call".[44] Tickets were as low as $6.00. The remaining members of the Grateful Dead; including Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann performed their final set of shows at the Spectrum on May 1 and 2, 2009; the show of May 2 was their 54th consecutive sell-out at the Spectrum. The Dead closed the show of May 2 with the song "Samson and Delilah". The song contains the fitting refrain "If I had my way, I would tear this old building down." The lyric was changed by the band's singer Bob Weir to say "I wouldn't tear this old building down." With the demolition of The Spectrum, all venues at which The Grateful Dead played through their career within the City of Philadelphia, except for the Irvine Auditorium, have succumbed to the wrecking ball.

On October 27, 28, 30, and 31, American rock band Pearl Jam played over one hundred unique songs across the four days. On the final night, the band played 34 songs over nearly four hours before ending with their hit "Yellow Ledbetter".

The Spectrum and the South Philadelphia Sports Complex

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An 2008 aerial view of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex with the Spectrum at center left

Opened in 1967 as the first of the five modern facilities to be built at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex between 1967 and 2004, by the time it closed in 2009 the Spectrum was the oldest of the four venues still standing of the two indoor arenas and four outdoor stadiums built at the South end of Broad Street since 1926. The complex's total area expanded with the addition of each new facility and now takes up the entire southeast quadrant of the grounds occupied in 1926 by Philadelphia's Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition, a massive 184-day World's fair built on 700+ acres of until then largely undeveloped city-owned swamp and park land, including League Island Park adjacent to the U.S. Navy Yard bounded by 10th Street, Packer Ave., 23rd Street, and Terminal Avenue. The Spectrum itself occupied the portion of the Exposition's grounds on the south side of Pattison Avenue between Broad and 11th Streets that in 1926 served as the fair's main trolley terminal operated by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company.[45]

The Spectrum, with John F. Kennedy Stadium above it and Veterans Stadium below it

For its first 25 years, the Spectrum overlooked the 102,000-seat John F. Kennedy Stadium, known prior to 1964 as "Municipal Stadium", located roughly 600 feet (180 m) south of the indoor arena. Opened on April 15, 1926, the stadium was also the Sesqui-Centennial Exposition's only intentionally permanent facility.[46] The site of 42 Army–Navy Games between 1936 and 1979, JFK Stadium eventually fell into disuse in favor of the newer nearby Veterans Stadium, was condemned in 1989, and demolished in 1992 to make way for the Xfinity Mobile Arena which opened four years later in August 1996. Known earlier as the "CoreStates Center" (1996–1998), the "First Union Center" (1998–2003), and the "Wachovia Center" (July 2003 – June 2010), the 20,000-plus-seat indoor arena replaced the Spectrum as the home of the Flyers, 76ers, and Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League beginning with each club's 1996–97 season. With the demolition of the Spectrum, Xfinity Mobile Arena has become the oldest of the complex's three current venues.

The Spectrum's closest sports complex neighbor was Veterans Stadium (opened 1971, closed 2003, demolished 2004), which was located north of the arena directly across Pattison Avenue. The 60,000-plus-seat "Vet" accommodated MLB's Philadelphia Phillies and the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles for just over three decades before it was itself replaced by two new facilities. In 2003 the Eagles moved to Lincoln Financial Field, a purpose-built football/soccer stadium located SE of the Spectrum site directly across 11th Street from Xfinity Mobile Arena. The following year, the Phillies relocated to Citizens Bank Park, a dedicated baseball stadium completed in 2004 and located diagonally across from the Spectrum site at the northeast corner of Pattison Ave and Citizens Bank Way (11th St.), immediately east of the former Veterans Stadium site which now serves as a parking lot for the entire complex. In 2017, the Phillies' spring training complex in Clearwater, Florida was renamed Spectrum Field after Bright House Networks was purchased by Charter Communications. While named for Charter's residential service, the name invoked memories of the Spectrum arena.[47]

Another NBA arena (Spectrum Center, the home of the Charlotte Hornets) currently includes "Spectrum" in its name, although again it refers to the Charter residential service whose naming rights are attached to that building.

The Spectrum (center) was the oldest (1967) of the four venues which made up the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in this 2004 view from Xfinity Mobile Arena (1996). Citizens Bank Park (right) is the complex's newest (2004) facility while Lincoln Financial Field (2003) is just out of view to the far right.

Demolition

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Although the Spectrum formally closed on October 31, 2009, demolition of the structure did not begin for more than a year with internal work commencing on November 8, 2010.[48] Two weeks later a public "wrecking ball ceremony" attended by some of the athletes who made the building famous such as Hockey Hall of Famers Bernie Parent and Bob Clarke of the Flyers and Hall of Famer Julius Erving of the 76ers, was held in the adjacent parking lot "H" on November 23, 2010, to formally begin its external demolition.[49] However, unlike Veterans Stadium, its one-time neighbor, which had been located immediately across Pattison Avenue from the Spectrum before it was imploded on March 21, 2004, the almost half-year process of demolishing the then-44-year-old arena, done without the use of explosives, was completed in May 2011. This was done to protect its other sports facilities from dust. Water was used to prevent dust from spreading.

Composite before, during and after image of the Spectrum site. The top image was taken in April 2004, five and a half years before the arena was closed. The middle image was taken seven years later as its demolition was being completed in April 2011. The white areas seen at ground level of this image were the back walls of the hockey and basketball locker rooms used by the Flyers, 76ers, Phantoms, Kixx, and Wings and visiting teams. The parking lot across Pattison Avenue from the Spectrum was the former site of Veterans Stadium (demolished in 2004). The bottom image is how the site appeared in September 2011 after it had been converted to a parking lot. All three images were taken from the same location in the Wells Fargo Center, the arena that replaced the Spectrum. The tallest building visible in the distant Philadelphia skyline (just to the left of the Spectrum site) in the 2011 images is the 59-story Comcast Center (completed in 2008), the headquarters building of the Comcast Corporation which owns both the Spectrum and Wells Fargo Center.

A 300-room hotel is planned to eventually be built on the demolished Spectrum's site, which is now occupied by a parking lot, as an adjunct to the Stateside Live! project, the first portion of which opened in April 2012, at the southwest corner of 11th Street and Pattison Avenue.[50][51]

Statues

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A statue of Sylvester Stallone, depicted in his role of Philadelphia boxer Rocky Balboa, stood for many years in front of the main Pattison Avenue entrance of the Spectrum, which had been represented in the movie as the site of Rocky's first and second fights with Apollo Creed, although the fight sequences were actually filmed at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. The statue was removed several times over the years to be used in the filming of sequels to the original film.

In September 2006, it was given a new home in an area near the base of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art not far from where a spot on the plaza at the top of the Museum's steps where it had appeared in the film Rocky III. Since the statue was not deemed "art,"[citation needed] it was moved around the corner of the museum on Kelly Drive. Other statues that stood in the arena area included:

The statues have been incorporated into the design of Stateside Live!.[52]

Former tenants

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Full-time

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Part-time

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Notable events

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Basketball

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Boxing

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Hockey

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Soccer

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  • NPSL Championship – 2001
  • MISL Championship – 2002

Wrestling

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Concerts

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Fictional events

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Other events

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  • U.S. Figure Skating Championships – 1968
  • MILL Championship – 1989, 1992, 1995
  • Nightmares Xtreme Scream Park – 2004,[54] 2005, 2006
  • Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Resurrection Sunday Worship Service 2000
  • Monster Jam ???–2009

References

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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Spectrum (arena)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Spectrum was a multi-purpose indoor arena in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that opened on September 30, 1967, and served as the primary home venue for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) until both teams relocated to the adjacent CoreStates Center (now Xfinity Mobile Arena) in 1996. With a seating capacity of approximately 17,000 for basketball and hockey after expansions, the arena hosted two Stanley Cup championships for the Flyers in 1974 and 1975, the 76ers' 1983 NBA title, and numerous All-Star Games, including the 1976 NBA and NHL events. Beyond sports, it became a legendary concert hall, drawing massive crowds for performances by icons such as Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Bruce Springsteen, cementing its status as "America's Showplace" for over four decades. The venue continued hosting events like boxing matches, circuses, and college basketball until its final show on October 31, 2009, after which it stood vacant until demolition began on November 23, 2010, to make way for retail and entertainment developments; the site was fully cleared by May 2011. Despite its unassuming circular design and aging infrastructure, the Spectrum symbolized Philadelphia's vibrant sports and entertainment culture, fostering intense fan loyalty in an intimate, echo-filled atmosphere that contrasted with modern mega-arenas.

History

Planning and Construction

The planning for the Spectrum arena began in the mid-1960s amid the National Hockey League's expansion efforts, with founder and co-owner Jerry Wolman proposing a multi-purpose venue to accommodate both an NHL franchise and the NBA's . Their vision emerged following Snider's relocation to in 1964, where he partnered with Wolman and others to secure a hockey team, recognizing the need for a modern facility to support professional sports in the city. The site was selected in South Philadelphia's emerging Sports Complex, utilizing the parking lot adjacent to Municipal Stadium, an area prized for its accessibility via major roadways and the availability of undeveloped, previously swampy land from the former League Island Park. This location facilitated integration into the broader sports district while minimizing urban disruption and leveraging existing infrastructure for fan access. Financing relied entirely on private investment from Snider, Wolman, and their associates, with construction costs totaling approximately $7 million, a figure that reflected the era's economic pressures and the project's rapid timeline. Wolman, as the primary financial backer, secured the necessary funds through his ventures, enabling the arena to proceed without public subsidies despite the NHL's $2 million expansion fee requirement. The design prioritized a versatile, circular to support diverse events, including , , , and concerts, allowing for efficient reconfiguration of the floor space. This innovative approach marked a departure from traditional rectangular venues, enhancing sightlines and event adaptability in Philadelphia's first modern indoor arena. Construction commenced with groundbreaking on June 1, 1966, led by Wolman and James , and progressed swiftly over 16 months to meet the NHL's franchise deadline. The project faced challenges, including budget constraints that necessitated variances, but achieved substantial completion by 1967, positioning the arena for its inaugural events shortly thereafter.

Opening and Early Years

The Spectrum's first event was the Quaker City Jazz Festival on September 30, 1967. It hosted its first sporting event on October 17, 1967, a match between and Tony Doyle. The arena held its first basketball game the following day, October 18, 1967, a regular-season NBA matchup between the and the , which the 76ers won 103-87 in front of a capacity crowd. This debut marked the arena's transition from construction to operational use as Philadelphia's premier indoor sports facility, designed to host professional and collegiate events in the newly developing . From its inception, the Spectrum served as the home venue for the NHL's expansion , who played their inaugural home game there the following day, October 19, 1967, defeating the 1-0 before 7,812 spectators. The began playing home games at the Spectrum starting with the 1967-68 season, with their first regular-season home game on October 18, 1967. This dual tenancy established the Spectrum as a multi-sport hub, accommodating both hockey and with its versatile floor configuration. Early major events at the arena included the Flyers' inaugural 1967-68 season, where the team posted a 31-32-12 record amid growing fan interest, and initial basketball outings such as the 76ers' season opener alongside emerging NCAA games featuring local Big 5 teams like Temple and La Salle in late 1967. These activities helped solidify the venue's role in Philadelphia's sports landscape. The arena's early years were not without challenges, including severe logistical disruptions when high winds tore sections of the roof off on March 1, 1968, during an performance, forcing temporary closures and relocating Flyers and 76ers games to Convention Hall for repairs that lasted several weeks. Integration into the community also presented hurdles, as the remote location required improved access and parking amid the area's industrial transition, though the complex's development began fostering economic ties to the neighborhood. Despite these setbacks, attendance surged in the early 1970s as the Flyers contended for the , averaging 16,063 fans per game in 1972-73 and reaching near-capacity 17,007 by 1973-74, reflecting the team's rising competitiveness and the arena's growing prominence.

Renovations and Peak Period

In 1972, the Spectrum underwent a significant expansion with the addition of a third level, increasing its seating capacity by 2,249 seats primarily to accommodate growing demand for hockey games and concerts. This upgrade enhanced the arena's versatility and revenue potential by allowing larger crowds for diverse events, transforming it from an initial capacity of around 15,000 to over 17,000 for most configurations. The expansion solidified the Spectrum's role as a multifunctional venue in the , drawing increased attendance during a period of rising popularity for and live entertainment in the city. The arena's design featured superior acoustics that reverberated sound effectively toward , making it a preferred site for concerts and contributing to its reputation as one of the premier indoor venues on the East Coast. In 1973, the Spectrum introduced a theater configuration known as the Spectrum Theater, utilizing a central setup with a capacity of approximately 3,500 seats for , smaller concerts, and intimate events that did not require the full arena footprint. This adaptation catered to mid-tier acts, broadening the venue's programming and further boosting its economic viability without necessitating additional structural changes. During the 1980s, the Spectrum reached its peak as a bustling hub for non-sports events, particularly high-profile boxing matches that attracted national attention and significant gate receipts. Notable bouts, such as the August 1982 rematch between and for the WBA title, exemplified the arena's draw for combat sports, with crowds filling the expanded seating to capacity. promotions, led by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), hosted regular sold-out shows throughout the decade, featuring stars like and contributing substantially to non-sports revenue through ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcast deals. These events, often televised locally via the Network, amplified the arena's cultural prominence and diversified its income streams beyond team sports. The Spectrum's vibrancy in the and had a tangible economic ripple effect in , spurring job creation in event operations, concessions, and nearby hospitality while attracting tourists and locals to an underdeveloped area previously known for industrial use. By hosting a mix of , , wrestling, and theater productions, the arena generated consistent foot traffic that stimulated surrounding businesses, including restaurants and vendors, and helped revitalize the broader economy during its operational heyday. Tenants like the Flyers and 76ers benefited from the upgraded facilities, enabling more dynamic event scheduling.

Decline and Final Years

The opening of the adjacent CoreStates Center in August 1996 profoundly impacted the Spectrum, as the and Flyers, its longtime primary tenants, relocated to the new state-of-the-art venue, significantly reducing the arena's major bookings and transitioning it to a secondary role within the . This shift reflected broader trends in sports facilities, where modern arenas with luxury suites and enhanced amenities drew premier events away from older structures like the Spectrum. In the ensuing years, the Spectrum's naming rights underwent several changes amid corporate mergers, becoming the CoreStates Spectrum upon the new center's debut in 1996, then the Spectrum in 1998 following CoreStates' acquisition by Corporation, and finally the Spectrum in 2003 after 's merger with . By the 2000s, the arena primarily hosted secondary events, including tournaments such as the 2000 Atlantic 10 Conference men's championship, where defeated St. Bonaventure 65-44 to claim the title, as well as sports like (AHL hockey) games and indoor soccer matches. The Spectrum's aging infrastructure presented ongoing maintenance challenges, including cramped locker rooms and outdated amenities that had been criticized as inadequate since the 1980s, contributing to its diminished appeal and lower attendance figures by the mid-2000s as audiences preferred the comforts of newer venues. These issues, combined with the arena's reduced event calendar, underscored its obsolescence in an era of evolving entertainment demands. On July 15, 2008, Chairman announced the Spectrum's closure at the end of the 2008-09 seasons to facilitate into a mixed-use called Philly Live!, with operations progressively winding down thereafter.

Facilities

Architectural Design

The Philadelphia Spectrum arena, designed by the architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill under the direction of Myron Goldsmith with contributions from Michael Pado, Albert Lockett, and Tizian Associates, exemplified mid-20th-century innovations in multi-purpose venue construction when it opened in 1967. Its circular form, achieved through a frame and seating bowl supported by a skeleton on footings, allowed for versatile interior layouts adaptable to hockey rinks, courts, and concert stages. trusses created a column-free central space, enhancing sightlines and event flexibility while integrating engineering areas for ice production directly into the structure. This and construction, utilizing approximately 7,000 tons of and 19,000 cubic yards of , provided and essential for diverse programming. The roof featured a prefabricated steel truss system using trusses and joists in a web configuration for efficient load distribution. Externally obscured, this flat space-frame design prioritized unobstructed views. The interior boasted an iconic seating arrangement in blue-and-red hues within a tight cylindrical bowl, positioned close to the floor to foster intimacy, complemented by a central introduced in 1967 that served as a focal point for both visuals and basic event information. As a core component of the , the Spectrum's design facilitated seamless integration with neighboring venues like and JFK Stadium through shared expansive parking lots and highway access points, optimizing logistics for large-scale gatherings while maintaining a self-contained footprint. This holistic approach to site planning supported the arena's role in hosting early events, from inaugural Flyers games to high-profile concerts, underscoring its multi-functional philosophy.

Capacity and Layout

The Spectrum arena, upon its opening in 1967, had an initial seating capacity of approximately 15,244 for basketball games, designed as a multi-purpose venue with flexible end-zone seating that allowed for quick reconfiguration between sports like basketball and hockey. By the early 1970s, following expansions that included the addition of a third level in 1972, the capacity increased significantly, reaching 18,168 for basketball and 17,380 for hockey and other ice events. These changes added over 2,000 seats, enhancing versatility for the growing demand from teams like the Philadelphia 76ers and Flyers. For concerts, the arena could accommodate up to around 19,000 attendees, often utilizing standing room on the floor to maximize capacity. The layout of the Spectrum emphasized adaptability for diverse event types, featuring a central floor that could be converted from a standard NHL-sized for hockey—complete with dasher boards and penalty boxes—to a full aligned along the arena's longer axis, with the lower bowl providing close proximity to the action for thousands of fans. Stage setups for and theater productions typically positioned the performance area at one end, drawing on the arena's circular design to create semi-enclosed configurations that supported acoustics for up to 18,000 spectators, while a modular approach including curtaining allowed for smaller setups. This modular approach, including removable seating in end zones, enabled efficient transitions between sports and shows without major structural alterations. In comparison to later contemporary arenas like the adjacent Wells Fargo Center, the Spectrum maintained an intimate feel due to its tighter bowl design and narrower tread widths between rows, fostering a closer connection between performers and audiences despite its large overall scale. Layout adaptations for specific tenants, such as the Flyers' ice installations or the 76ers' court markings, optimized sightlines and flow within these constraints.

Tenants

Sports Teams

The of the National Hockey League (NHL) made the Spectrum their full-time home from its opening in 1967 until 1996, during which they established themselves as one of the league's most dominant and intimidating franchises. The team's tenure at the arena coincided with their inaugural seasons as an expansion club, where they quickly built a reputation for physical, aggressive play known as the "Broad Street Bullies" era, beginning around 1972–73 and characterized by enforcers like Dave Schultz and robust team defense led by goaltender . This style propelled the Flyers to back-to-back championships in 1974 and 1975, both clinched with victories at the Spectrum, marking the first titles for an NHL expansion team and solidifying the arena's role in the franchise's identity. The of the (NBA) shared the Spectrum as their primary venue from 1967 to 1996, transforming it into a hub for high-stakes basketball during a period of resurgence for the franchise. Under stars like and , the 76ers achieved significant success at the arena, culminating in their 1983 NBA Championship sweep of the [Los Angeles Lakers](/page/Los Angeles_Lakers), with key playoff wins hosted there that showcased the team's balanced offense and defensive intensity. The Spectrum's intimate, raucous atmosphere contributed to the 76ers' home-court advantage, fostering a passionate fanbase that amplified the franchise's competitive edge throughout the 1970s and 1980s. After the Flyers and 76ers relocated to the CoreStates Center in 1996, the Spectrum became the home of the of the (AHL), the primary affiliate of the Flyers, from 1996 until the arena's closure in 2009. The Phantoms won championships (Calder Cups) in 1998 and 2005, both at the Spectrum, and played their final game there on April 10, 2009, a 5–2 victory over the . The team then shared the Wachovia Center with the NHL Flyers before relocating to Allentown as the in 2010. Beyond the NHL and NBA anchors, the Spectrum briefly hosted other teams on a limited basis, though none established long-term residency. The of the (WHA) played their lone 1972–73 season primarily at the nearby due to scheduling conflicts with the Flyers, but the arena's proximity underscored the growing hockey interest in during that era. Similarly, the Philadelphia Fury of the North American Soccer League (NASL) utilized the venue for select exhibitions in 1978, drawing on the Spectrum's versatility for non-traditional sports formats before folding after the 1980 season. The Spectrum also served as a part-time host for , particularly for the Villanova Wildcats during NCAA Tournament games, where the arena's central location and capacity made it a frequent regional site from the 1970s through the early 2000s. Villanova played 59 games there overall, including memorable tournament matchups like their 1985 regional win over Georgetown, contributing to the venue's legacy in amplifying the excitement of March Madness in the area.

Other Organizations

The Spectrum arena served as a venue for various organizations, particularly in its theater configuration following renovations in the . The Philadelphia Opera Company presented notable performances there, including a 1986 production of Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem featuring tenor , soprano Susan Dunn, mezzo-soprano Ildikó Komlósi, and bass Paata Burchuladze, accompanied by the Philadelphia Opera Chorus and the under conductor . These events highlighted the arena's adaptability for orchestral and operatic presentations from the through the mid-1990s. Wrestling promotions, especially the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), utilized the Spectrum as a part-time venue for regular house shows and major events throughout the 1970s to 1990s. The arena hosted dozens of WWF cards annually, drawing crowds for matches featuring stars like , Andre the Giant, , and ; notable pay-per-views included on August 27, 1990, and on May 28, 1995. These bookings provided consistent non-sports entertainment revenue during periods of low tenant activity. College basketball teams frequently used the Spectrum for tournaments and high-profile games, particularly those affiliated with the Big East and Atlantic 10 conferences from the to the 2000s. The arena hosted the inaugural Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament in 1977, where Duquesne defeated Villanova 57-54 to claim the , as well as later editions in 2000 (won by Temple) and 2002 (won by Saint Joseph's). Big East member institutions, such as Georgetown and Villanova, played key NCAA Tournament games there, including the 1992 East Regional Final between and , remembered for Christian Laettner's iconic buzzer-beater. The venue's central location and capacity made it a preferred site for regional college competitions. Minor league and amateur soccer teams occasionally rented the Spectrum in its early years. The Philadelphia Spartans, a charter member of the National Professional Soccer League, played select home matches there during their 1967 inaugural season and subsequent American Soccer League campaigns through 1969, supplementing their primary use of Temple Stadium. In addition to sports and entertainment, the Spectrum accommodated corporate and convention uses during off-seasons, hosting trade shows, business meetings, and political gatherings to maintain year-round operational revenue. Its multipurpose design supported events like the planning sessions, contributing to financial stability amid fluctuating tenant schedules.

Notable Events

Sports Events

The Philadelphia Spectrum served as a premier venue for professional hockey, hosting the during their dominant mid-1970s era, including their victories in 1974 and 1975, marking the first championships for an NHL . The arena's intimate atmosphere contributed to the Flyers' home-ice advantage, with the team clinching both titles on the Spectrum floor amid raucous crowds that epitomized 's passionate sports culture. In 1976, the Flyers returned to the Stanley Cup Finals for a third consecutive year, hosting Games 3 and 4 against the in front of capacity audiences of approximately 17,077, though they ultimately fell in a four-game sweep. The Spectrum also hosted the 1976 NHL All-Star Game, where the Wales Conference defeated the Campbell Conference 4–0 in front of 17,489 fans. Basketball events at the Spectrum underscored its status as a hub for NBA excellence, with the securing their 1983 NBA Championship after a dominant 4-0 sweep of the in , returning home to massive celebrations that highlighted the arena's role in the franchise's . The victory sparked one of the largest parades in city history, drawing 1.7 million fans along Broad Street to , reflecting the profound impact of the title on Philadelphia's sports landscape. The Spectrum also hosted two NBA All-Star Games, in 1970—where the East defeated the West 142-135—and in 1976, when the East prevailed 123-109 in front of 17,511 spectators, making it one of only a few venues to host multiple such events during that period. Boxing thrived at the Spectrum from its opening in 1967, with heavyweight contender launching his professional career there through key bouts, including his TKO victory over Tony Doyle in round 2 on October 17, 1967, and a win over on December 10, 1968, in a defense of his NYSAC heavyweight title. The arena became synonymous with Philadelphia's gritty tradition, hosting numerous high-profile matches during its "golden era" from 1973 to 1980, such as the 1976 WBC super featherweight title fight where Alfredo Escalera defeated Tyrone Everett by controversial split decision on November 30 in front of a fervent local crowd. Soccer events at the Spectrum pioneered indoor play in , most notably the 1974 exhibition between the and the Soviet team on February 11, which drew 11,790 fans and is widely regarded as the birth of organized due to its fast-paced, wall-bouncing format adapted for the arena's confines. The Atoms, fresh off their 1973 NASL championship win, showcased the potential of the sport indoors, influencing the league's experimental 1975 NASL Indoor Tournament, where Philadelphia hosted games that averaged strong attendance and helped popularize the variant among American audiences. Professional wrestling milestones unfolded at the Spectrum throughout the 1980s under the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), with making several early high-profile appearances that propelled his rise to stardom, including a 1980 count-out loss to champion and a 1981 pinfall defeat to Andre the Giant before sold-out crowds of over 17,000. These matches, part of WWF's expanding card at the venue, built Hogan's persona as a heroic figure in Philadelphia's wrestling scene, setting the stage for his iconic 1984-1987 title defenses there against challengers like and .

Entertainment and Concerts

The Spectrum arena hosted a wide array of musical performances throughout its 42-year history, evolving from rock-dominated shows in its early years to a broader mix including pop and other genres by the . Over 1,500 concerts took place there before its closure in 2009, establishing it as a key venue for live entertainment in . One of the earliest landmark concerts was Led Zeppelin's debut performance at the arena on July 12, 1969, during the Spectrum Pop Festival, marking a significant moment in the band's early North American tours. A decade later, The Who delivered a notable show on December 10, 1979, drawing nearly 19,000 attendees in a high-energy rock performance shortly after the band's tragic incident, which underscored the venue's capacity for large-scale rock events. Frank Sinatra established a strong connection with the Spectrum through multiple residencies in the 1970s, including sold-out shows on April 21-22, 1974, and October 7, 1974, where he performed to crowds of around 18,000, blending classic standards with contemporary covers that highlighted the arena's suitability for intimate yet grand vocal showcases. The Grateful Dead further cemented the venue's rock legacy with extensive runs, playing 53 times between the 1980s and 1990s, including memorable multi-night stands that fostered a dedicated fan culture and showcased improvisational jams. As programming shifted toward pop and diverse acts in later decades, the Spectrum accommodated evolving tastes while maintaining its reputation for hosting over 1,500 total concerts, from early rock pioneers to later mainstream performers. The arena's acoustics, designed for clear sound distribution, enhanced these entertainment spectacles without overshadowing the performers' dynamics.

Miscellaneous Events

The Philadelphia Spectrum hosted a variety of non-traditional events that highlighted its versatility as a multi-purpose venue, including competitions in the 1970s and 1980s where the arena floor was specially adapted with dirt and barriers to accommodate , , and other equestrian activities. A notable example was the indoor held in 1974, which drew crowds for its display of skills and bronco riding inside the urban setting. These events underscored the arena's flexible layout, allowing for quick transformations from courts to rugged outdoor-style spectacles. The Spectrum also appeared in popular culture through fictional portrayals in the Rocky film series, where it served as the iconic site for Rocky Balboa's championship bouts against Apollo Creed, though the actual filming occurred at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. In Rocky (1976), the arena is referenced during Rocky's preparation and the climactic fight announcement, while Rocky II (1979) depicts the rematch press conference and bout there, embedding the venue in Philadelphia's cinematic sports lore. Local media often invoked these fictional events to celebrate the Spectrum's role in Philly's underdog spirit. During the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, the arena hosted political and cultural gatherings, including a large Catholic Mass organized as part of the national celebrations, attended by thousands and featuring lectures, workshops, and liturgical events amid the era's patriotic fervor. In the , the Spectrum accommodated niche conventions, such as wrestling promotions that evolved into spectacle-driven shows with elements of , though specific gaming-focused events were limited. Additionally, the venue was the site for unique one-off occurrences like mud-wrestling exhibitions following sports games and a promoted bear-wrestling match that resulted in minor injuries to participants. College basketball tournaments added to the arena's diverse programming, with the Spectrum serving as host for the NCAA Men's in both 1976 and 1981, drawing national attention to semifinal and championship games. A cultural footnote came from Phish's performances in the mid-1990s, including their 1995 shows at the arena, which built a devoted following.

Closure and Demolition

Announcement and Final Season

On July 14, 2008, Chairman announced that the Spectrum would cease operations after the 2008-09 season and be demolished to clear space for the Philly Live! entertainment and retail district, a featuring restaurants, shops, and nightlife venues adjacent to the Center. This decision marked the end of the arena's 42-year run as a cornerstone of Philadelphia's sports and entertainment landscape, with Snider emphasizing the need to modernize the amid evolving urban development goals. The and Flyers had completed their full relocation to the adjacent CoreStates Center (later renamed the Center) in August 1996, ending regular use of the Spectrum as their primary home venue after nearly three decades. However, the arena continued to host occasional events, including minor league hockey games by the Flyers' AHL affiliate, the , and various concerts and family shows through 2009, allowing for a phased wind-down of programming. The final season in 2009 became a series of nostalgic send-offs, highlighted by Bruce Springsteen's four consecutive performances from October 14 to 20 as part of his , with the October 20 show serving as his last at the venue and featuring rare songs like "The Price You Pay" performed for the first time since 1981. These concerts drew massive crowds and evoked deep emotional responses, with Springsteen dedicating the evenings to the arena's rock 'n' roll legacy. The season culminated in Pearl Jam's four-night stand from October 27 to 31, with the Halloween finale on October 31, 2009, becoming the venue's absolute last public event, complete with an extended 40-song setlist and confetti-filled celebrations that symbolized the arena's enduring cultural significance. Community reactions to the closure were overwhelmingly sentimental, with residents, fans, and performers expressing profound attachment through media tributes, fan gatherings, and public reflections on the Spectrum's role in hosting iconic moments like championship celebrations and landmark concerts. Local coverage captured widespread , including stories of lifelong memories tied to the venue, while organized farewell programming to honor its history, fostering a collective sense of gratitude and closure among the city's sports and music enthusiasts.

Demolition Process

The demolition of the Spectrum arena commenced on November 23, 2010, following the arena's closure after its final event in 2009. Officials opted for mechanical deconstruction using a and excavators rather than an implosion, citing the arena's complex construction from 1967, which included and steel elements that made controlled explosives impractical and risky. The process began with interior dismantling to remove salvageable items and structural supports, progressing to the exterior walls over subsequent months. Geppert Bros., Inc., a Philadelphia-based demolition contractor, handled the project, estimating a six-month timeline to ensure thorough removal of debris while adhering to safety protocols. The full deconstruction was completed by spring 2011, with the site cleared of the arena's footprint by May. Pre-demolition preparations included the salvage of memorabilia, such as seats, light fixtures, signage, and wooden panels from locker rooms, which were auctioned or sold to generate funds, with 25% of proceeds going to the Comcast-Spectacor charitable foundation and the remainder helping to offset demolition costs; specific items like scoreboards were also removed for preservation or auction prior to heavy machinery operations. The project cost approximately $2 million, fully funded by , the arena's owner. Environmental considerations were prioritized, including dust control measures to minimize impact on the adjacent Center, where events continued uninterrupted; the extended timeline allowed for phased debris removal and site stabilization to prevent airborne particulates and ensure soil safety for future use. Worker safety was maintained through standard protocols for mechanical demolition, such as securing perimeters, using protective equipment, and sequencing operations to avoid hazards from falling debris during the phases.

Legacy

South Philadelphia Sports Complex

The South Philadelphia Sports Complex originated in the 1960s as a hub for major sports venues, building on earlier infrastructure that included Municipal Stadium, constructed in 1926 for Philadelphia's sesquicentennial celebration and later renamed John F. Kennedy (JFK) Stadium in 1964. JFK Stadium hosted events until its demolition in 1992, while Veterans Stadium followed, with construction funded by a $25 million voter-approved bond in 1964 and an additional $13 million in 1967, opening in 1971 before its own demolition in 2004. The Spectrum arena, completed in 1967 at 3601 South Broad Street, occupied a central position within this emerging complex, directly across Pattison Avenue from Veterans Stadium and adjacent to JFK Stadium, enabling efficient shared use of facilities. This layout facilitated extensive shared infrastructure, including expansive parking lots capable of accommodating over 22,000 vehicles to serve suburban fans arriving via nearby interstate highways. The complex's design emphasized accessibility and scale, contrasting with older urban stadiums and supporting large crowds for . In the post-2000s era, the complex evolved with the replacement of older venues by modern facilities, including Lincoln Financial Field, which opened in 2003 as the home of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Citizens Bank Park, which debuted in 2004 for the Philadelphia Phillies. These additions integrated seamlessly with the adjacent Xfinity Mobile Arena, forming a cohesive district that enhanced event coordination and fan experience through upgraded transportation links and amenities. The complex played a pivotal economic role in revitalizing , transforming a former industrial area into a vibrant destination that drew approximately 8 million visitors annually at its peak, boosting local businesses and tourism. As of 2025, ongoing development plans include a new arena targeted for opening in 2030 within the complex, aimed at replacing elements of the current layout while preserving the district's sports legacy.

Memorials and Statues

Several statues honoring Philadelphia sports legends associated with the were originally installed outside the arena in 1987, symbolizing its role as a hub for and hockey triumphs. The statue of singer , sculpted by Marc Mellon, depicted her in a dynamic pose from her performance of "," a recording played by the before key games at the Spectrum for good luck, contributing to the arena's storied atmosphere during two championships in 1974 and 1975. The bronze sculpture of Flyers forward , created by , captured his overtime goal against the in the 1973 playoffs, a pivotal moment in the team's early success. For the , a of Hall of Famer , known as Dr. J, was erected to commemorate his tenure, including the 1983 NBA championship won at the Spectrum. These statues were removed ahead of the Spectrum's 2010 demolition and relocated to the nearby Xfinity Live! entertainment complex in 2012. The Kate Smith statue was removed again in April 2019 following controversies over alleged racist content in some of her performances. The Erving and Dornhoefer statues remain at the site, now known as Stateside Live! since its rebranding in August 2025, preserving their connection to the arena's legacy amid South Philadelphia's redevelopment. A separate statue of 76ers legend Wilt Chamberlain, unveiled in 2004 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena—the arena that succeeded the Spectrum—features him in a dynamic dunk pose with the inscription "The worth of a man is measured by the size of his heart," honoring his 100-point game and four NBA titles during his Philadelphia career. Additionally, the "Score!" sculpture by Zenos Frudakis, depicting a basketball net in motion, was placed behind the Spectrum in 1987 and later reinstalled near Xfinity Live! (now Stateside Live!) in 2012 as a nod to the venue's basketball heritage. Preserved artifacts from the Spectrum further commemorate its history, with pieces of the original hardwood basketball floor from the 1967–1982 seasons auctioned as memorabilia, allowing fans to own tangible remnants of iconic games. Championship banners from the Flyers' Stanley Cups and the 76ers' 1967 and 1983 NBA titles, originally hung in the Spectrum, were transferred to the Xfinity Mobile Arena, where they continue to hang as enduring symbols of the arena's championship pedigree. The Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame houses various Spectrum-related artifacts, including a stadium cup from events at the venue, alongside other memorabilia that highlight its contributions to local sports culture. Community tributes persist through events organized by Flyers and 76ers alumni, such as ceremonial games and anniversary celebrations at the Xfinity Mobile Arena that evoke the Spectrum era, including the 2024 Stanley Cup 50th anniversary honoring the "Glory Days" at the original arena.

Site Redevelopment

Following the demolition of the Spectrum arena in 2010–2011, the site was initially cleared and utilized as temporary surface parking to support events at the adjacent Xfinity Mobile Arena and other venues in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. This interim use lasted until construction began on the entertainment district, which transformed the 11-acre former arena footprint into a vibrant hub. In 2012, Xfinity Live! (originally announced as Philly Live!) opened as the primary redevelopment on the site, comprising a 60,000-square-foot complex of dining options, bars, and entertainment venues designed to draw crowds year-round, particularly around sports and concerts. The district features multiple establishments, including sports-themed pubs and live music spaces, integrated with large LED video walls—such as a 32-foot indoor screen and a 24-foot outdoor display—for immersive viewing experiences. Event spaces within Xfinity Live! accommodate up to 12,900 guests across indoor and outdoor areas, supporting gatherings from intimate corporate functions to large-scale receptions. The project included efforts as part of the site preparation, addressing potential contaminants from the arena's long-term use and ensuring suitability for public redevelopment. Post-demolition, green space elements were incorporated, with ongoing expansions in the master plan adding outdoor plazas and terraces to enhance pedestrian-friendly areas amid the entertainment focus. As of 2025, the site continues to operate as a core component of the under the rebranded Stateside Live!, with recent $12 million renovations introducing new outdoor beer gardens, food truck zones, and a two-story while maintaining operations. Its proximity to the proposed new arena, targeted for completion by 2030 as a between the and Flyers owners, positions the area for potential further expansions, including enhanced connectivity and mixed-use integrations.

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  99. https://hub.catalogit.app/philadelphia-sports-hall-of-fame/folder/entry/a3f25370-7c5f-11f0-95a1-eb249f5c3f7b
  100. https://www.facebook.com/philadelphiaspectrum/videos/spectrum-memoriescelebrating-the-philadelphia-flyers-spectrum-glory-days-last-ni/1511493813028874/
  101. https://whyy.org/articles/opening-date-set-for-xfinity-live/
  102. https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/xfinity-live-philadelphia/
  103. https://eventup.com/venue/xfinity-live-2/
  104. https://www.hrcg.com/projects/xfinity-live-restaurant-and-entertainment-complex/
  105. https://whyy.org/articles/south-philly-sports-complex-comcast-spectacor-master-plan/
  106. https://www.phillyvoice.com/xfinity-live-renovations-beer-garden-plaza-sports-complex/
  107. https://www.phillyvoice.com/sixers-flyers-new-stadium-2030-construction-south-philly-/
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