A Fan’s guide TO PHILLY HOW TO BE A GOOD SPORT AND CHEER FOR THE HOME TEAM BY ROBERT DIGIACOMO Photography, clockwise from top: PHLCVB, Getty Images, Getty Images, Getty Images, PHLCVB, Getty Images, PHLCVB, PHLCVB, Getty Images PHLCVB, PHLCVB, Getty Images, PHLCVB, Getty Images, Getty Images, Getty Images, top: PHLCVB, clockwise from Photography, Fans Guide to PHL 5-0.indd 20 12-10-03 10:15 AM t Stree road The B y Line HERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT PHILADELPHIA that ubwa S aight to converts everybody who comes here into vocal sports fans. runs str ea Maybe it’s the wealth of teams — Philly is home to the the stadium ar y enter Cit NFL’s Eagles, NHL’s Flyers, NBA’s 76ers and MLB’s Phillies, as from C well as the National Lacrosse League’s Wings, Arena Football League’s Soul and Major League Soccer’s Union. Over the past five decades, the city has claimed two Stanley Cup trophies, two World Series titles and two NBA championships, while regularly making deep runs into the playoffs. Maybe it’s the long and storied history of college sports, including championship football and basketball squads from tThe University of Pennsylvania, Temple University, St. Joseph’s University and Villanova University, or major annual events such as the Army-Navy Game, the Philadelphia Marathon and the Penn Relays. Or perhaps it’s the competitive nature of Philadelphians, who are known for being outspoken advocates (and sometimes critics) of their favorite teams and players but who always reward a heartfelt performance with their support. Whatever gives Philly its sports passion, you won’t want to miss out on the excitement of attending a game or another live athletic event. FAN FAVORITE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES STARTING TIGHT END GAME ON BRENT CELEK ON WHY Much of the action takes place at the city’s sports complex in South PHILADELPHIA IS THE Philadelphia. It’s the site of the 67,594-seat Lincoln Financial Field (aka the ULTIMATE SPORTS TOWN. Linc), home of the Eagles and the location of the Army-Navy Game for 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017. The adjacent 19,000-plus-seat Wells Fargo Center hosts the Flyers, 76ers, Wings and Soul, while across the street is Citizens Bank Park, What makes Philadelphia such a home of the Phillies and a 43,647-seat natural-grass stadium with commanding great sports town? Number one, it’s views of the Center City skyline. the fans. There’s no one as passionate as Serving all the venues is Xfinity Live!, a major entertainment complex with Philly fans. a 24-foot wide video board showing sporting events and movies. Multiple pubs and restaurants make for a great stop before or after a game or any time you Why do you think fans here are so need a sports fix. devoted to their teams? I think it’s the Across town in West Philadelphia, Franklin Field is the historic home culture. The way everyone around here stadium for the University of Pennsylvania’s Quakers football squad and the grew up, it’s all about the sports teams. Penn Relays, the nation’s oldest and largest amateur track meet held each It’s a great setup with all three stadiums spring. In University City, the intimate 8,722-seat Palestra, which dates to next to each other in South Philadelphia. 1895 and is considered the birthplace of college basketball, is the center of Everyone knows if we’re going to a excitement when the Big 5 (Penn, La Salle, St. Joe’s, Temple and Villanova) game, we’re going to South Philly. play out their fierce hoops rivalry there. The fans always let you know how Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, City Hall and nearby they feel when things go right or wrong. neighborhoods form the backdrop for the 26.2-mile route of the Philadelphia They want to see a winner — that’s what Marathon, which is held every year on the third Sunday of November. Another they came to a game for, that’s what popular race is the Broad Street Run, which takes place on the first Sunday in they paid for, that’s what they deserve to see. If they do boo, it’s normally for a good reason: We need to improve. They keep you honest. In other towns, they “ THE FANS GIVE YOU SO MUCH SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE may not boo you but they won’t come STADIUM. I COULDN’T ASK TO LIVE IN A BETTER TOWN.” to a game — I think that’s worse. Philly fans show up and show they care. If they — BRENT CELEK didn’t care, they wouldn’t come. s What’s it like to meet fans off the e May and, with more than 40,000 participants, is considered the biggest 10- g a mile race in the country. field? The fans give you so much m I y support outside the stadium. Walking t Fans also gather before, during and after games in crowded sports bars like t e around the city, everyone is so positive G Chickie’s & Pete’s (named North America’s best sports bar by ESPN); where : y and is extremely nice, and they love h they claim a stool at their favorite neighborhood watering holes to cheer their p a Philly sports. I couldn’t ask to live in a r teams. They also flood the phone lines of local sports-radio shows and chat g o t areas of sports blogs to voice their opinions about what the teams and players better town. o h P are doing right — and where they need to improve. w Fans Guide to PHL 5-0.indd 21 12-10-03 10:15 AM UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL All three major venues boast excellent sight lines from every section and HD video and digital signage to further showcase the action. Super fans also like to see and be seen. At the Linc, the sections in the 100 level around the 50-yard line are considered ideal. At the Wells Fargo Center, Flyers fans prefer the 100- and 200-level seats near center ice, while 76ers followers shoot for courtside seats on the east or west sides. In Citizens Bank Park, many Phillies fans find the field-level seats between the dugouts combine good value and vantage points. The Phillies reserve 500 tickets each game for standing room and post updates on available seats on Twitter and Facebook. Each facility also boasts its own pregame rituals. Before Eagles games at the Linc, fans congregate at HeadHouse Plaza, a 100,000-square-foot area TASTING VICTORY at the north end of the stadium that features a giant video screen and a team You’ll want to come hungry to Philadelphia’s major store. You can take your own food or sample the offerings from some of the sports venues, where the iconic cheesesteak is just city’s best food trucks. Get there at least an hour and a half in advance when one of the many mouthwatering options available the gates open to watch players warm up and maybe even snag an autograph. at food stands, pubs and sit-down restaurants. The Wells Fargo Center is the host of the Bud Light Block Party, which gets going about two hours before every Flyers and 76ers game in the area At both Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens outside the Cure Insurance Club on the 11th Street side. Come early for grilled Bank Park you can compare local favorites such specialties, gourmet truck fare, live music, interactive games and opportunities as the hoagie and the roast pork sandwich with to meet team alumni and mascots. (However, if you want a Flyers autograph, the classic Philadelphia cheesesteak. Be sure to your best bet is to attend practice on a non-game day at the Virtua Center pair your sandwiches with an order of Chickie’s Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ) & Pete’s famous crab fries. Looking for healthier When the Phillies are in town, you can stop before a game at McFadden’s fare? The Linc has been designated by PETA as pub; mingle with other fans along Ashburn Alley, a walkway with food stands the NFL’s most vegetarian-friendly stadium, with a and games that’s named after Phillies Hall of Famer and longtime broadcaster range of veggie wraps, hummus platters and faux- Richie Ashburn; or check out batting practice. meat hotdogs and steak sandwiches on offer. This is also the time to seek Phillies’ autographs: You’re welcome to approach players from Sections 133 to 138 and Sections 109 to 114 up to 45 At Wells Fargo Center you can sample almost all minutes before the game or until batting practice is over, whichever comes of Philadelphia’s favorite foods — from classic Philly first. Once the batting cage is taken off the field, it’s time to find your seat and cheesesteaks and crab fries to local craft beer. get ready for the first pitch. Before Eagles games, fans gather to tailgate on the Whether you’re a follower of team or individual sports, Philadelphia has plaza outside the Linc — you can either bring your it all covered, with plenty of chances to witness the action at state-of-the-art own snacks or chow down at a rotating selection of venues or on the streets.« gourmet food trucks. THE SPORTING NEWS THE HIGHLIGHT REEL The Philadelphia Sports Congress is your one-stop shop for all sporting events in the NOVEMBER 18 The Philadelphia Marathon steps off at the city.