September 25, 2019
Cordish, Comcast Spectacor Break Ground on $50 Million, Next-Generation Esports Arena in the Heart of the Philadelphia Sports Complex
Comcast Spectacor and The Cordish Companies Break Ground on $50 Million, Next-Generation Esports Arena in the Heart of the Philadelphia Sports ComplexFirst-of-its-Kind Venue Marks Largest New-Construction, Purpose-Built Esports Arena in the Western Hemisphere and Home of the Philadelphia Fusion Esports Franchise
Fusion Arena Will Create Approximately 500 New Direct and Indirect Construction Jobs and Generate $1 Million in Annual Economic Benefits to the City and State
PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 25, 2019) – Comcast Spectacor and its real estate development partner, The Cordish Companies, gathered today to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fusion Arena in the heart of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. The development team was joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, members of Philadelphia City Council, and community and business leaders from across the region. Fusion Arena is scheduled to open its doors in early 2021 and initiates the next phase of Comcast Spectacor’s real estate development adjacent to the Wells Fargo Center, Xfinity Live! and the other home venues of Philadelphia’s beloved professional sports franchises.
To view and/or download photos and drone footage from today’s event, high-resolution renderings and overview video click here.
”We’re proud to break ground on this ambitious project that will usher in a new generation of fans and events to the Philadelphia Sports Complex,” said Dave Scott, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Spectacor. “Fusion Arena is a stunning addition to our development plan and partnership with The Cordish Companies, and exemplifies a strong belief in the future of esports.”
The project will create opportunities for local, minority, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, as well as the creation of approximately 500 direct and indirect construction jobs. In addition to jobs, the development team estimates $1 million in economic benefit to the City and State in the first year of operation.
The $50 million, next-generation venue will stand as the largest new-construction, purpose-built esports arena in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to serving as a premier destination for competitive gaming events, Fusion Arena will also host a variety of live entertainment programming and experiences. Its primary tenant, the Philadelphia Fusion esports franchise, is one of 20 international teams competing in the Overwatch League. Today’s groundbreaking kicks off an exciting five days of activation for the Overwatch League across the entire city during the lead up to the 2019 Grand Finals world championship, taking place on Sunday, September 29 at the Wells Fargo Center.
“It is incredibly exciting for The Cordish Companies to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fusion Arena with our partners, Comcast Spectacor,” said Blake Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. “Today’s celebration marks an important milestone for our partnership as the next phase of development commences adjacent to Xfinity Live! in the heart of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. Fusion Arena will debut as a state-of-the-art, world-class venue in an unparalleled location amid Philadelphia’s beloved professional sports teams.”
Designed by Populous, a global sports and event architecture firm with extensive experience in the fast-growing esports space, the arena’s exterior will show off a sleek and dynamic skin that draws inspiration from the hardware powering esports’ meteoric rise around the globe. The incorporation of industrial materials throughout Fusion Arena’s design pays tribute to Philadelphia’s heritage as the “workshop of the world.”
“The Fusion Arena is authentically designed for the city and the great fans of Philadelphia to celebrate their history while also looking ahead,” said Populous Senior Principal Brian Mirakian. “The arena represents a watershed moment for the competitive gaming and live entertainment experience and serves as the prototype for future esports venues around the world.”
Guests will be welcomed by a captivating 6,000-square-foot public entry featuring 2,000 square feet of interactive media surface hovering 30 feet. The venue will boast 60,000 square feet of new construction, featuring a stunning and futuristic design throughout, including seating for up to 3,500 guests, as well as 10,000 square feet of dedicated space for the Xfinity Training Center, broadcast studio and team offices. The training facility in particular separates the Fusion from the pack, offering unrivaled development opportunities for players. The technologically-advanced arena will offer unique seating experiences including two balcony bars, club seats with USB ports, flexible loge boxes and exclusive suites.
The groundbreaking of Fusion Arena comes at an exciting time as the Wells Fargo Center is in the midst of “Transformation 2020,” an extensive, multi-year $265 million renovation initiative. Fusion Arena adds $50 million of new development within Philadelphia’s Sports Complex, complementing a transformed Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park.
Today’s celebration continues the next phase of Comcast Spectacor and The Cordish Companies’ real estate development within the Philadelphia Sports Complex, adjacent to Xfinity Live!. Earlier this year, the partnership announced plans for Pattison Place, an $80 million, new construction Class-A office tower. Since opening in 2012, Xfinity Live! has been a prominent dining, entertainment and hospitality anchor for the region, dramatically changing the fan experience for Flyers, Eagles, Phillies and 76ers fans, as well as out of town guests. Welcoming millions of visitors a year, Xfinity Live! has energized the Philadelphia Sports Complex via year-round events and experiences including concerts, festivals, family fun days, community functions, charity events, and watch parties.
The Fusion will start playing matches at the new venue in 2021. They will play three homestand weekends in Philadelphia during the 2020 season at both The Met Philadelphia and Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. To purchase tickets, visit www.phillyfusiontix.com.
For more information on Fusion Arena, please visit www.fusionarenaphilly.com.
About Comcast Spectacor
Comcast Spectacor is a professional sports and live entertainment company that is part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology leader that operates Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal and Sky. Headquartered in Philadelphia, Comcast Spectacor owns and operates the Wells Fargo Center arena and complex, as well as a portfolio of professional sports teams that includes the National Hockey League’s Philadelphia Flyers, the Overwatch League’s Philadelphia Fusion, the National Lacrosse League’s Philadelphia Wings and the Maine Mariners of the ECHL. Comcast Spectacor also holds strategic interest in several partner companies spanning the sports and entertainment landscape, including Spectra, Learfield IMG College, Xfinity Live! Philadelphia and N3rd Street Gamers. Visit us at ComcastSpectacor.com for more information.
About The Cordish Companies
The Cordish Companies’ origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately-held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Gaming; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; International Development; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies’ Live! Brand, highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. Welcoming over 50 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family’s core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information visit www.cordish.com or follow us on Twitter.
“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere.
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