Citizens Bank - Philadelphia
I guess that, in a country that developed the concept of out of town shopping malls, it was inevitable that an out of town sport complex comprising a series of stadiums would be developed. In reality though, this extraordinary site 4 miles south of the city, is merely an extension of what they have had for a while. For years the South Philadelphia Sports Complex has housed the homes of the city's baseball american footbal, basketball and ice hockey club, just that it was two arenas. With the separation of the Phillies and Eagles in 2003 (when Veterens Stadium was exited) and the building of the Wells Fargo Centre, 2 become 4 that ultimately became three with the demolition of the Spectrum.
Whether this is unique in world sport I'm not sure, but I've not seen anything like it.
The logic is irrefutable. Shared car parks, shared metro and bus routes, shared motorway access, shared local (admitably limited) hotel bars and restaurants. It also appears, from the colours etc in cars, shared fans (certainly between the Phillies and the Eagles).
And to be honest it appears to work.
The 'Bank' itself is of post Camden design and is pleasing to the eye. Opened in 2004 it holds 44k. The main stadium seating area is in two bits, one three tier and one four. Having sat in both, the four tier is better. The Phillies are the best team in the National League and play to packed crowds so each game is a great event. Whilst not as close as in Camden, the city sky line is impressive in the distance.
Couple of extra notes:
1) I'm not normally a fan of mascots, but the Phillie Phanantic is good value. Looking essentially like a green dinosaur, he drives around on a quad bike at great speed firing goodies into the crowd. I can't believe there hasn't been an accident the way he drives!
2) If you do go to any of the stadiums there is a hotel in one corner of the car park. It is very good, with a nice outdoor pool and decent sports bar. This is a non commercial website (stadium names apart!) but it is a well know chain and it won't take you long to find it!
Phillies 1-2 Giants
Phillies 1-4 Giants
Whether this is unique in world sport I'm not sure, but I've not seen anything like it.
The logic is irrefutable. Shared car parks, shared metro and bus routes, shared motorway access, shared local (admitably limited) hotel bars and restaurants. It also appears, from the colours etc in cars, shared fans (certainly between the Phillies and the Eagles).
And to be honest it appears to work.
The 'Bank' itself is of post Camden design and is pleasing to the eye. Opened in 2004 it holds 44k. The main stadium seating area is in two bits, one three tier and one four. Having sat in both, the four tier is better. The Phillies are the best team in the National League and play to packed crowds so each game is a great event. Whilst not as close as in Camden, the city sky line is impressive in the distance.
Couple of extra notes:
1) I'm not normally a fan of mascots, but the Phillie Phanantic is good value. Looking essentially like a green dinosaur, he drives around on a quad bike at great speed firing goodies into the crowd. I can't believe there hasn't been an accident the way he drives!
2) If you do go to any of the stadiums there is a hotel in one corner of the car park. It is very good, with a nice outdoor pool and decent sports bar. This is a non commercial website (stadium names apart!) but it is a well know chain and it won't take you long to find it!
Phillies 1-2 Giants
Phillies 1-4 Giants