Brian Mirakian, senior principal at architectural firm Populous, addresses the crowd at the Fusion Arena groundbreaking ceremony in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA—Comcast Spectacor and development partner The Cordish Companies have broken ground on the largest esports arena in the Western Hemisphere.

Construction has commenced on the $50-million project that will be home to the Philadelphia Fusion esports franchise, one of 20 international teams competing in the Overwatch League. The development team was joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, members of Philadelphia City Council, and community and business leaders from across the region at last week's groundbreaking ceremony. Fusion Arena is scheduled to open its doors at the Wells Fargo Center in early 2021.

"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," says 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."

"It is incredibly exciting for The Cordish Companies to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fusion Arena with our partners, Comcast Spectacor," says 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."

In addition to serving as a destination for competitive gaming events, Fusion Arena, designed by global sports and event architecture firm Populous, will also host a live entertainment programming and experiences. Guests will be welcomed by a 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 offers 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.

Instant Insights /

Comcast Spectacor, Cordish Begin Construction on $50M Fusion Arena in Downtown Philadelphia

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