Spectrum (arena) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This page is about the former arena in Philadelphia. For the arena in Charlotte, see Spectrum Center (arena). For the arena in Oslo, see Oslo Spektrum.

Quick facts for kids
The Spectrum
Construction
"America's Showplace" "Broad Street"


Former names	Spectrum (1967–1994) CoreStates Spectrum (1994–1998) First Union Spectrum (1998–2003) Wachovia Spectrum (2003–2009)
Address	3601 South Broad Street
Location	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates	39°54′15″N 75°10′16″W / 39.90417°N 75.17111°W / 39.90417; -75.17111
Owner	Comcast Spectacor, L.P.
Operator	Global Spectrum
Capacity	Concerts: End stage: 18,369 Center stage: 19,456 *Theater: 5,000–8,000 Basketball: 18,168 Ice Hockey: 17,380
Surface	Multi-surface
Broke ground	June 1, 1966
Opened	September 30, 1967
Renovated	1986
Closed	October 31, 2009
Demolished	November 23, 2010 - May 2011
Architect	Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
General contractor	McCloskey & Company, Inc.
Tenants
Philadelphia Flyers (NHL) (1967–1996) Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) (1967–1996) Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT) (1974) Philadelphia Wings (NLL) (1974–1975) Philadelphia Fever (MISL) (1978–1981) Philadelphia Wings (NLL) (1987–1996) Philadelphia Bulldogs (RHI) (1994–1996) Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL) (1996–2004, 2005–2009) Philadelphia KiXX (NPSL/MISL/NISL) (1996–2009) La Salle Explorers (NCAA) (1996–1998) Philadelphia Soul (AFL) (2004–2008) (select games)

The Spectrum was a famous indoor sports and concert building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. It opened in September 1967 and was part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Over the years, it grew to hold over 18,000 people for basketball and ice hockey games.

The Spectrum was known by a few different names during its history, including CoreStates Spectrum, First Union Spectrum, and Wachovia Spectrum. The very last public event held there was a Pearl Jam concert on October 31, 2009. The building was taken down between November 2010 and May 2011.

History of the Spectrum

The Spectrum was Philadelphia's first modern indoor sports building. It was built to be the home for the new Philadelphia Flyers ice hockey team and the existing Philadelphia 76ers basketball team. It was the second big sports place built in South Philadelphia, in an area now called the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.

Early Years and Challenges

Work on the arena began on June 1, 1966. The first event at the Spectrum was a jazz festival on September 30, 1967. The first sports event was a boxing match on October 17, 1967. The Philadelphia 76ers also moved their games here. The name "Spectrum" was chosen to show the wide range of events it would host: "SP" for sports and South Philadelphia, "E" for entertainment, "C" for circuses, "T" for theatricals, "R" for recreation, and "UM" for "um, what a nice building!"

On March 1, 1968, strong winds blew part of the roof off during a show. The building had to close for a month for repairs. The 76ers played their games at other venues. The Flyers had to play their hockey games in other cities, even as far as Quebec City, until the Spectrum was fixed. The roof was repaired in time for the Flyers to play their first playoff game there on April 4, 1968.

In the 1970s, the Flyers became known as the "Broad Street Bullies" because of their tough style of play and the arena's location on Broad Street. The Spectrum was also one of the first sports arenas to have a scoreboard that could show photos, animations, and replays, not just messages. This was a big deal for fans!

Seating Capacity Over Time

The number of seats in the Spectrum changed over the years to fit more fans.

Basketball Seating
Years	Capacity
1967–1971	15,244
1971–1972	15,304
1972–1973	17,300
1973–1981	18,276
1981–1982	18,364
1982–1985	17,921
1985–1987	17,941
1987–2009	18,168

Ice Hockey Seating
Years	Capacity
1967–1968	14,646
1968–1969	14,558
1969–1970	14,606
1970–1971	14,620
1971–1972	14,626
1972–1973	16,600
1973–1975	17,007
1975-1981	17,077
1981–1983	17,147
1983–1985	17,191
1985–1986	17,211
1986–1987	17,222
1987–1990	17,423
1990–1991	17,382
1991–2009	17,380

Championships and All-Star Games

The Spectrum's ice rink

The Flyers won their first Stanley Cup at the Spectrum on May 19, 1974. They beat the Boston Bruins 1–0 in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals. One of the most exciting hockey games ever held there was on January 11, 1976. The Flyers became the first NHL team to defeat the famous Soviet Central Red Army team, winning 4–1.

The Spectrum hosted many important games:

Ten NHL or NBA playoff championship series.
The Flyers played 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 NHL All-Star Game was held there in 1976 and 1992.
The NBA All-Star Game was held there in 1970 and 1976.
The AHL Phantoms also won their first Calder Cup title at the Spectrum in 1998.

The Spectrum is the only venue to host both the NBA and NHL All-Star Games in the same season (1976). It also hosted the Final Four in 1976.

College Basketball and Other Sports

The Spectrum was a popular place for many college basketball games, especially for the Philadelphia Big 5 teams. It hosted eight Atlantic 10 Conference tournaments and several NCAA East Regional tournaments. The 1976 and 1981 Final fours were also held here.

Besides basketball and hockey, the Spectrum also hosted PBR events in 2003 and 2004.

Famous Concerts and Shows

Billboard ad for the arena, 1974.

Many famous musicians performed at the Spectrum. It was known for its great sound.

The Grateful Dead played at the Spectrum 53 times, more than any other musical act!
Elvis Presley played five shows between 1971 and 1977.
Pink Floyd performed several times. A famous story is that Roger Waters performed while sick in 1977, which inspired the song "Comfortably Numb".
Bruce Springsteen played 42 shows at the Spectrum, making it one of his most iconic venues. He even changed the lyrics to his song "Wrecking Ball" to honor the Spectrum during its final year.
Pearl Jam played the very last public events at the Spectrum in October 2009, performing 103 different songs over four nights.

The Spectrum also had a smaller setup called the Spectrum Theater for acts that didn't need the whole arena. This allowed for a more intimate concert experience.

The Flyers and 76ers Move On

The 1995–96 seasons were the last for the Flyers and 76ers at the Spectrum. Both teams moved to the new and larger Wells Fargo Center, which was built right across the parking lot. This new arena had more luxury suites and better views for fans.

Even after the main teams left, the Spectrum was still used by other sports teams like the Philadelphia Phantoms (hockey) and the Philadelphia KiXX (soccer), as well as for concerts and other events.

The Final Season and Demolition

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, it was announced that the Spectrum would close and be torn down. This was to make way for a new entertainment area called Philly Live!.

The Phantoms and Flyers played special games to celebrate the Spectrum's final season. The last NCAA basketball game was on January 28, 2009, and the last NBA game was on March 13, 2009.

Wachovia Spectrum during demolition in 2010.

The demolition of the Spectrum began in November 2010 and finished in May 2011. Unlike other stadiums that were imploded with explosives, the Spectrum was taken down slowly to protect the nearby sports buildings from dust.

The Spectrum and the South Philadelphia Sports Complex

An overhead view of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The Spectrum is at center left.

The Spectrum was the first of many modern sports buildings constructed in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. This area grew over time to include several stadiums and arenas.

For many years, the Spectrum was near the huge John F. Kennedy Stadium. This stadium was torn down in 1992 to build the Wells Fargo Center, which opened in 1996. The Wells Fargo Center took over as the home for the Flyers and 76ers.

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

Another neighbor was Veterans Stadium, which was torn down in 2004. New stadiums, Lincoln Financial Field (for football) and Citizens Bank Park (for baseball), were built nearby. With the Spectrum gone, the Wells Fargo Center is now the oldest building in the complex.

The Spectrum (center) was the oldest (1967) of the four venues which made up the South Philadelphia Sports Complex in this 2004 view from the Wells Fargo Center (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.

Statues and Legacy

A statue of Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, the famous Philadelphia boxer, used to stand in front of the Spectrum. This statue was moved to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Other statues of famous sports figures, like Flyers player Gary Dornhoefer, singer Kate Smith, and 76ers player Julius Erving, also stood in the area. These statues are now part of the new Xfinity Live! entertainment area.

Former Teams and Events

Full-time Teams

Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)
Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)
Philadelphia Wings (NLL I)
Philadelphia Wings (NLL II)
Philadelphia Phantoms (AHL)
Philadelphia KiXX (NPSL)
Philadelphia Bulldogs (RHI)
Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT)
Philadelphia Fever (MISL)

Part-time Teams

Villanova University Wildcats (NCAA)
Philadelphia Soul (AFL)

Notable Events Hosted

Basketball Events

NBA All-Star Game – 1970, 1976
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament – 1976 and 1981 Men's Final Four
NBA Finals – 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983
The Los Angeles Lakers won the 1979–80 NBA Championship here.

Hockey Events

NHL Stanley Cup Finals – 1974, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1985, 1987
The Flyers won the 1973–74 Stanley Cup here.
The Montreal Canadiens won the 1975–76 Stanley Cup here.
NHL All-Star Game – 1976, 1992
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Soviet Central Red Army Hockey Team – 1976
1976 Canada Cup (two games)
AHL Calder Cup Finals – 1998

Soccer Events

NPSL Championship – 2001
MISL Championship – 2002

Wrestling Events

WWF SummerSlam '90 – 1990
WWF King of the Ring – 1995
WCW Monday Nitro (multiple dates)
WCW Thunder (multiple dates)

Concerts and Other Shows

Elvis Presley, 1971-1977
The Doors: Live in Philadelphia '70 - 1970
The Who - Quadrophenia 1973
Pink Floyd: In the Flesh Tour - 1977
Billy Joel, including songs recorded for "Songs in the Attic" - 1980
Dio: A Special from the Spectrum - 1984, Sacred Heart "The Video" - 1986
Rush: Power Windows tour - 1986
Van Halen: OU812 Tour 1988
Metallica - 1989 Damaged Justice Tour
Mariah Carey: Music Box Tour - 1993
Nine Inch Nails: Further Down The Spiral Tour - 1994
Whitney Houston: The Bodyguard World Tour - 1994
Madonna: Blond Ambition World Tour - 1990
Pearl Jam: Backspacer tour - 2009
U.S. Figure Skating Championships – 1968
Boxing - Rocky Balboa vs. Apollo Creed - January 1, 1976

Events and Tenants
Preceded by first arena	Home of the Philadelphia Flyers 1967–1996	Succeeded by Wells Fargo Center
Preceded by Philadelphia Arena	Home of the Philadelphia 76ers 1967–1996	Succeeded by Wells Fargo Center
Preceded by first arena	Home of the Philadelphia Phantoms 1996–2009	Succeeded by Glens Falls Civic Center
Preceded by first arena	Home of the Philadelphia Kixx 1996–2009	Succeeded by Liacouras Center
Preceded by Montreal Forum Chicago Stadium	Host of the NHL All-Star Game 1976 1992	Succeeded by Pacific Coliseum Montreal Forum
Preceded by Palazzo dello Sport Rome	FIBA Intercontinental Cup Final Venue 1968	Succeeded by Macon Coliseum Macon
Preceded by Aixoise C.C. Aix-en-Provence	Fed Cup Final Venue 1976	Succeeded by Devonshire Park Eastbourne

Images for kids

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).