Philadelphia Convention Hall and Civic Center opened in 1931 at 3400 Civic Center Boulevard near the University of Pennsylvania campus, built as the Municipal Auditorium before becoming known simply as Convention Hall. For decades it served as the city’s go-to venue for everything from presidential politics to professional basketball.
The Art Deco building, designed by architect Philip H. Johnson, hosted four national political conventions between 1936 and 1948, including both the Democratic and Republican gatherings of 1948. It also became a home court for Philadelphia’s early NBA teams and a stop for some of the biggest names in music history.
- Golden State Warriors played here 1952–1962. See every Warriors arena →
- Philadelphia 76ers played here 1963–1967. See every 76ers arena →
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Philadelphia Warriors (NBA, 1952–1962), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA, 1963–1967), Philadelphia Blazers (WHA, 1972–1973)
- Location: 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Opened: 1931
- Closed: 1996 (demolished 2005)
- Capacity: About 9,600 for basketball; about 12,037 for concerts; up to 15,000 for conventions
- Notable fact: The Beatles sold out a 1964 concert here in 90 minutes
A Stage for Sports and Politics
Convention Hall earned its name by hosting four national political conventions, including the 1936 and 1948 Democratic National Conventions and the 1940 and 1948 Republican National Conventions. On the sports side, it was home to the Philadelphia Warriors through 1962 and then the expansion Philadelphia 76ers through 1967, before both teams eventually shifted their games to The Spectrum.
The hall also hosted the 1960 NBA All-Star Game and welcomed college basketball programs like Temple and, later, La Salle, keeping the building central to Philadelphia sports for much of the 20th century.
Music History and the Building’s Final Years
Beyond sports and politics, Convention Hall became a landmark concert venue, hosting the Beatles in 1964, the Rolling Stones in 1965, and the Jackson 5’s first official Motown concert in 1970. Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela also addressed crowds there.
After The Spectrum opened in South Philadelphia in 1967, Convention Hall gradually lost its regular tenants. It closed in 1996 and sat vacant for nearly a decade before being demolished in 2005. A limestone frieze depicting labor history was salvaged and relocated to Bayonne, New Jersey, in 2017.
Explore more: More historic stadiums and arenas.
12 x 10.5 x 6 in. — built to the common stadium clear-bag size. Check your venue's rules.
USB-charged warmers for cold night games — no disposable packets.
Keeps chili hot from the tailgate to the fourth quarter.
Philadelphia Convention Hall FAQs
When did Philadelphia Convention Hall open and close?
It opened in 1931, closed in 1996, and was demolished in 2005.
Which NBA teams played at Convention Hall?
The Philadelphia Warriors played there from 1952 to 1962, followed by the Philadelphia 76ers from 1963 to 1967.
Why was Convention Hall significant for music history?
It hosted major acts including the Beatles in 1964 and the Rolling Stones in 1965, drawing some of the era’s largest crowds in Philadelphia.
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Photo: Pub. by Art View Card Distributors, Camden, N. J. “Tichnor Quality Views,” Reg. U. S. Pat. Off. Made Only by Tichnor Bros., Inc., Boston, Mass. / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.