The Fusion Arena is morphing into a multi-use facility.Comcast-Populous
Comcast Spectacor isn't ditching esports in Philadelphia, but Sports Business Journal has confirmed that the group is reimagining its initial arena plan.
A company spokesperson has cleared up information regarding the possible scrapping of Fusion Arena, after a tweet surfaced today from an Associated Press reporter. However, after speaking with Comcast Spectacor, Sports Business Journal has learned that the arena isn’t being scrapped; it’s being re-imagined as a multi-use facility.
Fusion Arena was first proposed in March 2019 as a $50 million, 3,500-capacity esports event venue that would be the home of the Philadelphia Fusion, which Comcast Spectacor owns and competes in Activision Blizzard’s Overwatch League. Those plans, as they were, do not look as if they will come to fruition, as the company is reevaluating its plans for the facility.
After the project was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of esports at the time, Comcast Spectacor has been reevaluating the space. And now it appears that Fusion Arena will be turned into a multi-use space that will host esports, but will also be geared toward other activities such as concerts, comedy tours and seminars.
The arena was proposed for the Philadelphia Sports Complex next to Xfinity Live!, a food and entertainment complex akin to L.A. Live in Los Angeles. And while the entertainment space may still be built, esports will not be the main ingredient.
