History of Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 6, 2025

The Wells Fargo Center is a multi-purpose indoor arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is situated within the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, alongside other major sporting venues. Most notably, it serves as the home arena for three professional sports teams: the Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA), and the Philadelphia Wings (NLL). It is a central hub for sports and entertainment events in the city.

1961: Chicago Blackhawks First Stanley Cup Win Since 1961

On June 9, 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks win against the Flyers gave Chicago its first Stanley Cup since 1961.

1972: Lou Nolan Joins Flyers as PA Announcer

Lou Nolan has been the PA announcer for Flyers games since 1972, moving with the team from the Spectrum.

1996: Wells Fargo Center Completion

In 1996, Wells Fargo Center, originally named Spectrum II, was completed to replace the Spectrum as the home arena for the 76ers and Flyers.

1997: 1997 Stanley Cup Finals Games

In 1997, the arena hosted games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

1998: CoreStates Center Renamed First Union Center

In 1998, CoreStates Center became First Union Center following bank mergers.

1998: First Union acquires naming rights.

In 1998, First Union acquired the naming rights to CoreStates Center following bank mergers.

2000: 2000 Republican National Convention

The 2000 Republican National Convention was held at the Wells Fargo Center.

2001: 2001 NBA Finals Games

In 2001, Wells Fargo Center hosted three games of the NBA Finals.

2003: First Union Center Renamed Wachovia Center

In 2003, First Union Center was renamed Wachovia Center due to further bank acquisitions.

2003: Wachovia acquires naming rights.

In 2003, Wachovia acquired the naming rights to First Union Center.

June 10, 2005: Highest Attendance Record for Indoor Hockey Game

On June 10, 2005, the Wachovia Center set a record for the highest attendance for an indoor hockey game in Pennsylvania (20,103) during the Philadelphia Phantoms' Calder Cup victory.

August 1, 2006: New Scoreboard Installation Announced

On August 1, 2006, Comcast Spectacor announced it would install a new center-hung scoreboard in the Wachovia Center.

2008: Wells Fargo Acquires Wachovia

In 2008, Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia Corporation, which had previously purchased CoreStates Financial Corporation and First Union.

June 9, 2010: Attendance Record for Stanley Cup Finals Game

On June 9, 2010, the Wachovia Center set an attendance record of 20,327 for Game 6 of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals.

July 2010: Transition to Wells Fargo Center Naming Rights

In July 2010, Wells Fargo assumed naming rights, initiating changes after acquiring Wachovia.

July 27, 2010: Removal of Wachovia Center Signage

On July 27, 2010, the Wachovia Center signage was removed as part of the transition to Wells Fargo Center branding.

September 2010: Completion of Wells Fargo Center Branding Installation

In September 2010, the installation of the new Wells Fargo Center branding was completed.

2010: 2010 Stanley Cup Finals Games

In 2010, the arena hosted games of the Stanley Cup Finals.

2010: Wachovia Center Renamed Wells Fargo Center

In 2010, the naming rights for Wachovia Center were acquired by Wells Fargo, renaming it Wells Fargo Center.

2015: 76ers' Limited Recognition of Wells Fargo Naming Rights

During the 2015-16 NBA season, the 76ers briefly ceased recognizing Wells Fargo's naming rights, referring to the arena as 'The Center'.

January 2016: Enlarged Wells Fargo Center Logo Decal

In January 2016, the Wells Fargo Center logo decal on the 76ers court was enlarged and repainted in black after initial minimal recognition by the 76ers.

2016: 2016 Democratic National Convention

The 2016 Democratic National Convention was held at the Wells Fargo Center.

January 29, 2017: Attendance Record for College Basketball Game

On January 29, 2017, Wells Fargo Center set a record for the highest attendance for a college basketball game in Pennsylvania with 20,907 attendees.

September 2019: New 4K-Resolution Scoreboard Debuts

In September 2019, Wells Fargo Center debuted a new kinetic 4K-resolution scoreboard as part of the 'Transformation 2020' initiative.

October 2019: Removal of "Free Hong Kong" Shouting Fans

In October 2019, center staff removed fans shouting 'Free Hong Kong' at a pre-season basketball game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Guangzhou Loong Lions.

2020: "Transformation 2020" Initiative

Wells Fargo Center continued further renovations as part of a $265 million "Transformation 2020" initiative.

July 24, 2024: Wells Fargo Naming Rights Deal Not Renewed

On July 24, 2024, Wells Fargo announced it would not renew its naming rights deal for the arena once it expires in August 2025.

January 12, 2025: Announcement of New Arena Plans

On January 12, 2025, a deal was announced to replace the Wells Fargo Center with a new $1.3 billion arena, privately financed and slated to open by 2031.