Wells Fargo Center - Home of the Philadelphia 76ers

Official Review by Geoff Crawley, Stadium Journey Regional Correspondent

Wells Fargo Center is the home of the Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers, Soul, and Wings. Opening in 1996, it shares the Philadelphia Sports complex with the Eagles’ Lincoln Financial Field and the Phillies’ Citizens Bank Park. Built to physically replace the Spectrum, it now wants to rock like the Spectrum did.

Food & Beverage    5

There is nothing missing from the selection of food and drink. All of the regular selections you’d expect in any arena are here. In addition to that, you have places for pulled pork and chicken BBQ, along with beef brisket, cheesesteaks (duh, Philly, hello) dozens of beers at decent prices (about $8 or so for draft beers, a little more for 24 oz. cans). There are places to get hand carved sandwiches, and by hand carved, I mean a guy in a fancy hat actually carves — by hand — meat for your sandwich while you watch. Get one. Or two, if you need to. There is a gluten-free stand available, and, most importantly, Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries. If you don’t like crab fries, stop reading now, because I don’t want that sort of person reading my reviews. Go on, git.

There are two full bars: PJ Whelihan's: and the CURE Insurance Club. The CURE club opens two hours before games and stays open after. It has places for cheesesteaks, sandwiches and crab fries, and a full bar. Like an actual bar, not a guy with a keg and red Solo cups. Very impressive. PJ’s has food as well. Get a sausage and peppers sandwich.

Atmosphere    4

The Sixers, for a number of years, were just kinda there. Then there was Allen Iverson and his posse, Pat Croce, a trip to the NBA Finals, and the Sixers were a hot ticket. Then Croce left, Allen Iverson debated the merits of practice, and the Sixers got bad again for a long time, bottoming out with the Eddie Jordan era, although I’m not sure that lasted long enough to be technically called an era.

Then Doug Collins came home.

The Sixers started playing defense again, and winning more than losing. Then the team was sold, and the new ownership group was determined to restore the pride in this team. They have done a terrific job. Their rallying cry of "Passionate. Intense. Proud." is a refection of both the history of the team and the attitude of the fans.

It’s not the Spectrum, but it’s closer than it ever has been, and, at times, if you close your eyes, it feels like it.

Neighborhood    5

Look, it’s like this. If there was nothing else around for miles and you had to drive 30 minutes to get to it, Chickie’s and Pete’s would earn five points here. But it’s close enough to walk, and it is absolutely bananas. ESPN calls it "The Best Sports Bar On The East Coast," and I agree wholeheartedly if by "on the east coast" you mean "anywhere on this or any other planet in this or any other universe." I mean, if you don’t like amazing seafood, great bar food, crab fries (indescribable. Go get some. They don’t actually taste like crab, more like they are seasoned in the same manner as crabs. No, it’s not just Old Bay.), 10 foot (FOOT) tall TVs, towers of beer with 120 ounces in them for $30, and a tremendous atmosphere aren’t your thing, then go elsewhere. Perhaps you’d like the attached Play2, which allows you and your friends (or a bunch of strangers, if you prefer) to play video games while people bring you food and drink. It’s a lot like living at home with your parents, except much cooler, and there are members of the opposite gender there.

Not sure if you can tell, but I rather like the place.

You can’t leave your car here and walk, because the lot’s owner will have you towed. You can, however, valet your car (for $15) with the bar and they will transport you in the Taxi Crab to and from the game.

There are other places like McFadden's, a pretty good Irish/sports pub attached to Citizens Bank Park. Behind Citizens Bank Park is the cleverly named Stadium Sports Bar Restaurant in the Holiday Inn. (The name is the best thing about it.) Just go to Chickie's, trust me. It's worth it.

Fans    5

Full disclosure: I have a soft spot in my heart for Philly fans, because I am one. I don’t dress weird or anything, but I am passionate, like the rest of them. (Okay, I have occasionally been known to wear a cheesesteak hat.) The Wells Fargo Center is usually crowded now, and the fans are relentless. When Dallas was in town, their owner, Mark Cuban, was yelled at constantly by several fans, loud enough to hear throughout the arena. During his tradition of standing until the Mavs score their first bucket, he was repeatedly — and loudly — told to "sit down, you ain’t at home." (That might have been me. But I wasn’t the only one.) They are knowledgeable and passionate, and there is never any need to tell them when to cheer.

There’s also "The Big Man." You’ll know him when you see him.

The fans are top notch. If you disagree, meet me there in the upper deck when Miami is in town and tell me face to face.

Access    5

Parking starts at $5.

FIVE. DOLLARS.

When is the last time you went to a major league sporting event and paid $5 for parking? And it is not eight blocks away or something like that, the $5 parking is about three blocks from the arena. It’ll cost you $15 to park right next to the arena, still a good deal.

The arena is visible from Interstate 95, well signed and easy to find. Public transit is excellent; there is a subway stop right next to the sports complex. Bathrooms are clean and plentiful. Did I mention that the parking starts at $5?

Return on Investment    5

Did I mention how cheap the parking was? Also, the new ownership group has slashed several ticket prices, lowering some for selected games to $10. They offer Family Fun Packs that include 4 tickets, 4 sodas and four hotdogs for — wait for it — $60.

Come on.

This is NBA BASKETBALL, with one of the league’s storied franchises, in one of the world’s most historic cities, and a family of four can have a GREAT time, with food, for less than $100.

You cannot be serious.

Extras    1

The arena has free Wi-Fi, which is worth 5 points by itself, but I'm only giving one.

Final Thoughts

Wells Fargo Center is an overall fun place to see a game. If you are in town and are a basketball fan, I highly recommend it. Make sure you go to Chickie’s and Pete’s too.

Geoff Crawley is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Correspondent and Voice of the Fan and is the host of a weekly podcast.