Wachovia Center

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This article is about the arena in Philadelphia. For other Wachovia Centers, see Wachovia Building.
Wachovia Center
Wachovia Center
Location 3601 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Broke ground September 14, 1994
Opened August 31, 1996
Owner Comcast-Spectator L.P.
Operator Global Spectrum
Construction cost $210 million
Architect Ellerbe Becket
Former names CoreStates Center (1996–1998)
First Union Center (1998–2003)
Tenants Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) (1996-present)
Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) (1996-present)
Philadelphia Wings (NLL) (1997-present)
Philadelphia Soul (AFL) (2004-present)
Capacity 21,600 (basketball)
19,862 (hockey)
17,486 (arena football)

The Wachovia Center, formerly known as the CoreStates Center and the First Union Center, is an indoor arena located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the home arena of the Philadelphia Soul of the AFL, Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA, and the Philadelphia Wings of the NLL. The arena was completed in 1996 on what was once the site of John F. Kennedy Stadium at a cost of $206 million, largely privately financed (though the city and state helped to pay for the local infrastructure). The building lies at the southwest corner of the South Philadelphia sports complex, which includes Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park, and the Wachovia Spectrum, its predecessor as home to the Flyers, 76ers, and Wings.

Contents

[edit] Name

The arena 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. The naming rights were taken by First Union Bank in a merger in 1998 and then by Wachovia Bank in a 2003 merger with First Union. While under the First Union name, it was affectionately referred to as the "F.U. Center" by Philadelphians. Due to this, a name alteration was considered, the "First Union National Center." However, this was met with much derision from fans and athletes who played in the facility, such as former Philadelphia Flyers forward Brantt Myhres, who said the name change would make the building sound like a "circus venue."[citation needed]

[edit] Facilities

Wachovia Center prior to a 76ers game
Wachovia Center prior to a 76ers game

The arena officially seats 21,600 for basketball (NBA, NCAA) and 19,519 for hockey (NHL, AHL) and indoor ("box") lacrosse (NLL), although with additional standing room admissions available in suites for purchase by their lease holders the total paid capacity is actually somewhat greater. The Wachovia Center has 126 luxury suites, 1,880 club 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 CSN Philadelphia are all located in the facility.

On May 31, 1997, the building set the record for the highest attendance for a hockey game in the state of Pennsylvania (20,291) when the Flyers hosted the Detroit Red Wings in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The building also set a record for the highest attendance for a college basketball game in the state of Pennsylvania on February 13, 2006, when Villanova University played the University of Connecticut before a crowd of 20,859. [1]

On August 1, 2006, Comcast-Spectacor announced it would be installing 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 NHL & NBA arenas. An additional linear LED display lining the entire arena was also installed between the suite and mezzanine levels. Other renovations for the building's 10th 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-Spectator.

[edit] Concerts

The Wachovia Center has held numerous concerts of big-name stars such as Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Alice in Chains, Barenaked Ladies, David Bowie, Beyonce, Bon Jovi, Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, Eric Clapton, Coldplay, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Miley Cyrus, Dave Matthews Band, Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, The Eagles, Genesis, Green Day, Jay-Z, Billy Joel, Elton John, KISS, Avril Lavigne, Madonna, Barry Manilow, Paul McCartney, Metallica, Stevie Nicks, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Police, Prince, The Rolling Stones, Rush, Simon & Garfunkel, Britney Spears, Spice Girls, Bruce Springsteen, Gwen Stefani, Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake, Shania Twain, U2, Van Halen, Velvet Revolver, Roger Waters, The Who, and Stevie Wonder, among others.

On December 6, 2002, hard rock band Guns N' Roses were scheduled to perform there on their Chinese Democracy Tour. The opening bands (CKY, Mixmaster Mike) went on to perform as usual, but the main act, Guns N' Roses, never showed up, fusing a riot in the arena and causing thousands of dollars in damage. No reason was ever given for the no-show of Guns N' Roses, other than the public announcer of the building citing that one of the band members was sick.

In 2006, Billy Joel set a complex record for most sellouts at the Wachovia/First Union/CoreStates Center - 17, for a Philadelphia total of 46. Only the Grateful Dead have sold out more shows at the complex - 53, all at the Spectrum.

In addition, hanging from the rafters of the Wachovia Center are two banners in the orange & black colors of the Flyers honoring both Billy Joel's 46 Philadelphia sellouts and Bruce Springsteen's 45 Philadelphia sellouts respectively.

[edit] Tenants

Full time:

Part time:

[edit] Notable events

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/boxscore?gameId=260440222

[edit] External links

Philadelphia Portal
Preceded by
The Spectrum		 Home of the
Philadelphia Flyers
1996 – present		 Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
The Spectrum		 Home of the
Philadelphia 76ers
1996 – present		 Succeeded by
current
Preceded by
Fleet Center		 Host of WrestleMania XV
1999		 Succeeded by
Arrowhead Pond
Preceded by
MCI Center		 Host of the
NBA All-Star Game
2002		 Succeeded by
Philips Arena
Preceded by
San Diego Convention Center		 Host of the
Republican National Convention
2000		 Succeeded by
Madison Square Garden

Coordinates: 39°54′4.38″N, 75°10′19.36″W

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1The Philadelphia Soul play Sunday home games at the Wachovia Center.
2The Philadelphia Soul play Saturday home games at the Wachovia Spectrum.
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