Unrivaled League Sets New Attendance Record in Philadelphia
The 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled, has set a milestone in its first tour stop, attracting 21,490 fans to the Xfinity Mobile Arena. This figure establishes an attendance record for a professional women’s basketball regular season game, as well as for any event in the history of the venue.
The announcement of the attendance record was made during the first match of the double header on Friday.
“It was incredible. You could feel the love tonight. I’m so glad we were here. I can’t explain it other than I was filled with joy. It was amazing.”
Napheesa Collier, co-founder of the leagueThe two-day Unrivaled festivities in Philadelphia began with a community event and clinic on Thursday. On Friday, the Phantom team defeated the Breeze 71-68, and the Lunar Owls surpassed the Rose 85-75.
“It was just what women’s basketball deserves.”
Nola Henry, Rose coachThe inaugural stop of Unrivaled in Philadelphia drew 21,490 fans, becoming the regular season women’s basketball game with the highest attendance.
This event marked the league’s first game outside of Miami, where its eight-week season runs from early January to early March. It was also the first professional women’s basketball game in Philadelphia since 1998, when the Philadelphia Rage played in the ABL. The city will welcome a WNBA expansion team in 2030, becoming the league’s 18th team.
Fans gathered around the stadium hours before the start, sporting Unrivaled or WNBA merchandise, and stayed for the three hours of action. Among the celebrities who attended the festivities were women’s basketball legend Dawn Staley, former NFL standout Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, comedians Wanda Sykes and Leslie Jones, “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts, and Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry.
“It’s a testament to what we’re building here, to how much people believe in it. So, to have the city present in this way, breaking a record in all professional women’s basketball here tonight, and for it to be for Unrivaled, I think it’s amazing. The future is Unrivaled.”
Napheesa Collier
Collier confirmed that the league plans to hold multiple tour stops next season, with the cities and number of stops to be announced.
Several players expressed their interest in Unrivaled, which is in its second season, being based on its tour model.
“I think it was incredible to see the fans come out and support us like that,” said Marina Mabrey, whose 47 points and 10 three-pointers set a record in Unrivaled during Friday’s action. “I don’t know what I expected, but I didn’t realize there would be so much anticipation and so much support. … I think going to other cities would be great, as long as it’s feasible for everyone who puts all the work into getting here.”
The Unrivaled season resumes on Saturday in Miami, with the regular season extending until February and the playoffs being held on March 2nd and 4th.
