The Wells Fargo Center opened on August 12, 1996 as the CoreStates Center in South Philadelphia, replacing the aging Spectrum as home of the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) and Philadelphia 76ers (NBA). Built at a cost of $210 million on the former site of John F. Kennedy Stadium and designed by Ellerbe Becket, the arena anchored the South Philadelphia Sports Complex alongside Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park.
Over nearly three decades under five names — CoreStates Center, First Union Center, Wachovia Center, Wells Fargo Center, and ultimately Xfinity Mobile Arena — the venue established itself as one of the East Coast’s busiest multipurpose arenas. It hosted an NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals series, and both the 2000 Republican and 2016 Democratic National Conventions, making it one of the rare venues in American history to welcome both parties’ nominating conventions.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), Philadelphia Wings (NLL)
- Location: 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Opened: August 12, 1996
- Basketball Capacity: 20,478 (21,305 with standing room)
- Hockey Capacity: 19,173 (20,000 with standing room)
- Construction Cost: $210 million
- Architect: Ellerbe Becket
- Current Name: Xfinity Mobile Arena (as of August 14, 2025)
Championship Moments and Landmark Events
The arena staged some of Philadelphia’s most memorable sports moments. The Flyers played Games 1 and 2 of the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals on home ice before losing to Detroit, then returned in 2010 for Games 3, 4, and 6 against the Chicago Blackhawks. In 2001, Allen Iverson delivered his legendary Game 1 overtime performance against the Los Angeles Lakers here during the NBA Finals.
The building also doubled as a convention hall, hosting the 2000 Republican National Convention and the 2016 Democratic National Convention — a rare distinction for any single venue. The 2002 NBA All-Star Weekend and 2014 NHL Entry Draft added to a packed year-round calendar.
A Name That Kept Changing
The arena cycled through five names in under 30 years, each reflecting Philadelphia’s shifting corporate landscape. CoreStates (1996), First Union (1998), and Wachovia (2003) all tracked successive bank mergers, while Wells Fargo assumed naming rights in 2010 after acquiring Wachovia — a name it would hold for 15 years.
In May 2025, Comcast Spectacor and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment announced a new naming-rights deal with Xfinity Mobile. On August 14, 2025, the arena officially became the Xfinity Mobile Arena, with the agreement running through the 2030–31 season.
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Wells Fargo Center FAQs
What teams played at the Wells Fargo Center?
The Wells Fargo Center was home to the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), and Philadelphia Wings (NLL). Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball also played select games there as a part-time tenant.
When did the Wells Fargo Center open?
The arena opened on August 12, 1996 under its original name, the CoreStates Center, at a total construction cost of $210 million.
What is the Wells Fargo Center called now?
As of August 14, 2025, the arena was officially renamed the Xfinity Mobile Arena following a new naming-rights deal with Comcast’s Xfinity Mobile brand, replacing the Wells Fargo name the building had carried since 2010.
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Photo: Jen Smith / CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.