Wells Fargo Center

Since 1967, the Spectrum has opened its doors to thousands of events. From NHL to NBA championships with the Flyers and 76ers, to Dorothy Hamill's first appearance with the Ice Capades and Elvis Presley's last live performance, the building has hosted just about everything. Construction of the arena occurred at a rapid pace so that the city's first National Hockey League franchise, the Philadelphia Flyers, could compete in the 1967-68 NHL season. Eleven months later, the Spectrum opened house for its first event ever, the Quaker City Jazz Festival. The two-day concert appeared from September 30 to October 1, 1967. "This building was just an idea 16 months ago", said Ed Snider at the time. "We got it done in record time." First night patrons fought huge traffic tie-ups going into the parking lots, delaying the jazz festival by fifty-five minutes. The last of six main acts, which included Ramsey Lewis, Hugh Masakela and comedian Flip Wilson, did not finish until 3 a.m. The second performance drew a full house of 17,500 fans. It was the largest indoor audience in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. A 12-day run of Holiday on Ice followed. Boxing was the first sporting event at the young building, featuring a Joe Frazier vs. Tony Doyle card, on Tuesday, October 17, 1967. The next morning, the official dedication of the Spectrum took place under a canopy by the main entrance. The 76ers played their first game at the Spectrum that night, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-87. The Flyers debuted in their new home on Thursday, October 19, 1967 with a 1-0 triumph over Pittsburgh. Since 1967, the Spectrum has opened its doors to thousands of events. From NHL to NBA championships with the Flyers and 76ers, to Dorothy Hamill's first appearance with the Ice Capades and Elvis Presley's last live performance, the building has hosted just about everything. Construction of the arena occurred at a rapid pace so that the city's first National Hockey League franchise, the Philadelphia Flyers, could compete in the 1967-68 NHL season. Eleven months later, the Spectrum opened house for its first event ever, the Quaker City Jazz Festival. The two-day concert appeared from September 30 to October 1, 1967. "This building was just an idea 16 months ago", said Ed Snider at the time. "We got it done in record time." First night patrons fought huge traffic tie-ups going into the parking lots, delaying the jazz festival by fifty-five minutes. The last of six main acts, which included Ramsey Lewis, Hugh Masakela and comedian Flip Wilson, did not finish until 3 a.m. The second performance drew a full house of 17,500 fans. It was the largest indoor audience in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania history. A 12-day run of Holiday on Ice followed. Boxing was the first sporting event at the young building, featuring a Joe Frazier vs. Tony Doyle card, on Tuesday, October 17, 1967. The next morning, the official dedication of the Spectrum took place under a canopy by the main entrance. The 76ers played their first game at the Spectrum that night, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, 103-87. The Flyers debuted in their new home on Thursday, October 19, 1967 with a 1-0 triumph over Pittsburgh.