Sports & Athletics
Sports represent a major part of Greater Philadelphia's culture and the diehard fan bases of all of the region's athletic teams certainly prove it. Just tune into the local radio sports stations and you'll here how passionate and enthusiastic this region is about its teams! In addition to being a collegiate sport hotbed, seven major league professional teams also make their home in Greater Philadelphia: Eagles (NFL), Phillies (MLB), Sixers (NBA), Flyers (NHL), Wings (NLL), KiXX (MISL) and Soul (AFL). Whether you're an athlete or an athletic devotee, Greater Philadelphia is sure to please.
THE VENUES
When it comes to sporting venues, Philadelphia is a regional
powerhouse. With two new outdoor stadiums and two spectacular indoor arenas, South
Philly is the athletic pulse of the region. The $512 million state-of-the-art Lincoln
Financial Field seats 67,594 and was
completed just in time for the Philadelphia Eagles' 2003 season kickoff. It is
also the home for Temple University college football. Right across the street
is the Philadelphia Phillies' $346 million Citizens Bank Park. This remarkable ballpark was completed in April
2004 and seats 43,000. The Wachovia Center Complex, which is comprised of the Wachovia
Center and the Wachovia Spectrum, hosts the Sixers, Flyers, Wings, KiXX and Soul.
The $206 million Wachovia Center opened in 1996 and can seat 21,600. The
Wachovia Spectrum, the oldest of the four major venues, can seat up to 17,000
spectators.
This athletic epicenter in South Philly is conveniently located just off Interstate 95, making it an easy driving destination. There is a charge for parking, so come early to get a good spot and enjoy pre-game festivities. Public transportation, most notably the SEPTA Broad Street Subway Line, also makes the venues readily accessible from areas in and around Center City Philadelphia.
Lacrosse, Soccer & Arena Football
In addition to the more common professional sports, Greater Philadelphia also suits up major league teams in lacrosse, soccer and indoor arena football. Since 1987, Wings Lacrosse has won six championships. All-star Athan Iannucci, goal scoring extraordinaire Mat Giles, and their teammates consistently thrill the crowd. Visit www.wingslax.com for more information.
If soccer is a better match for your tastes, then make your way to a Philadelphia KiXX game! Starting as an expansion franchise in 1996, the KiXX have earned the title of league champion in the 2001-02 and 2006-07 seasons. Pat Morris led the team into the playoffs with 51 points last season and was named the league's defender of the year. With the defensive finesse of all-star goalkeeper Peter Pappas, the KiXX are bound to continue along the road of success. Visit www.kixxonline.com for more information.
Looking for football in the off-season? Music icons Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora teamed up with Craig Spencer and Ron Jaworski (a former star quarterback for the Eagles) to bring arena football to Philly in 2004. The Philadelphia Soul now play their action-packed football games in the Wachovia Center. Due to financial troubles, the AFL season was suspended in 2009, but looks to return to action in 2010. Visit www.philadelphiasoul.com for more information.
Collegiate, Annual Events & Minor Leagues
Greater Philadelphia is a big-time college athletic region. Most notably, St. Joe's, LaSalle, Temple, Pennsylvania and Villanova make up what is known as the Big Five, college basketball's biggest and most historic intra-city rivalry.
Coach Jay Wright has built Villanova back into a title contender, as the Wildcats captivated the region and danced all the way to the Final Four last season. ‘Nova has earned five consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and is excited about its highly touted incoming recruiting class.
Long-time Penn coach Fran Dunphy took over at Temple two years ago and led the Owls to the 2009 NCAA Tournament after winning the Atlantic 10 tournament championship. St. Joes, LaSalle and Drexel University also provide major basketball in Philadelphia.
The region also has numerous annual sporting events. There are the Penn Relays, the nation's oldest and largest amateur track and field relay held each spring at Penn's Franklin Field, as well as the Blue Cross Broad Street Run (10 miles) held each May in downtown Philadelphia. For equestrian lovers, the historic Devon Horse Show in May in Chester County is sure to please. The Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate regatta in the United States., takes place along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.
In addition, Greater Philadelphia is the home of the Camden Riversharks, a minor-league baseball team that plays at Campbell's Field in Camden, New Jersey, and the Trenton Thunder, who play their games at Mercer County Waterfront Park. The Wilmington Blue Rocks play minor league baseball games at Frawley Stadium in New Castle County, Delaware. And there's always the Philadelphia Phantoms, an American Hockey League team that feeds players to the Flyers. The Phantoms won the 2004-05 AHL championship.