The Sixers currently play at the Wells Fargo Center, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, along with Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park.

[6] The Wells Fargo Center, built in 1996 to accommodate the Sixers and Flyers, is owned by Comcast Spectacor, allowing them to profit off secondary events such as concerts instead of HBSE.

[7] The South Philadelphia Sports Complex has been critiqued as lacking access to public transportation—it is only served by the Broad Street Line—and there are few restaurants and bars nearby.

[4] The Wells Fargo Center underwent extensive renovations in 2019 and 2020 including the installation of a new 4K resolution scoreboard and expanded luxury suites.

[9] In 2020, the team proposed a partially publicly funded plan that would build a new arena at Penn's Landing before being outbid for the site by the Durst Organization.

[15] Macerich endorsed the plan to convert part of Fashion District Philadelphia into an arena and referred to it as a "natural evolution" of the property.

[12] Then-Philadelphia City Councilman David Oh speculated that the plan to build the arena may be smoke and mirrors and an attempt for the 76ers to gain concessions from the Wells Fargo Center's owner, Comcast Spectacor.

[26] Geoff Gordon, president of the Live Nation Entertainment Philadelphia chapter, raised concerns that the new stadium would make it hard for fans to tailgate prior to games.

[27] A study conducted by Dr. Arthur Acolin, the Bob Filley Endowed Chair in the Department of Real Estate at the University of Washington, found that the construction of 76 Place could have cost Pennsylvania and Philadelphia $1 billion in lost tax revenue.

[28] Acolin said "under a relatively conservative scenario, there will be some negative impact on existing businesses due to increased congestion, traffic during the construction period, people avoiding the area as some of the streets will be closed and all the traffic patterns will be disrupted..."[28] Acolin predicted that fans would not patronize local businesses before and after the games, but rather concession stands or newer, fancier restaurants that will open along when the arena does.

[30] Several Pennsylvania officials attended and spoke at a September 7 rally against the proposed arena including state senators Nikil Saval, Chris Rabb and Rick Krajewski and city councilmember Nicholas O'Rourke.

Around 60% of respondents said they wanted the Sixers to stay in South Philadelphia, and a similar number said that the Wells Fargo Center is "already in good or excellent condition."

[38] In September 2024, mayor Cherelle Parker released a statement announcing her support for the proposed arena, despite objections from neighboring Chinatown and other community groups.

[11][7] HBSE did not plan to speed up the construction process in order to leave their current lease with the Wells Fargo Center sooner.

The arena would have replaced one-third of Fashion District Philadelphia including the AMC Dine-In movie theater and Round 1 Bowling and Amusement.

[42] On January 12, 2025, HBSE cancelled plans for 76 Place and announced a deal with Comcast Spectacor for a new arena to be built inside the South Philadelphia Sports Complex.