Philadelphia just delivered one of the biggest moments in women’s basketball history —and it happened right in South Philly. The Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league made its first-ever tour stop outside of Miami this weekend, and the city respond with a record-breaking crowd of 21,490 fans at Xfinity Mobile Arena.
That turnout officially became the largest attendance ever for a regular-season women’s professional basketball game, while also setting an all-time attendance record for the venue itself. The announcement came during the opening game of Friday night’s doubleheader, sending energy through the arena before the action tipped off.
Philly shows up and sets new women’s basketball records
Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier described the moment to ESPN:
It was unbelievable! You could feel the love tonight. I’m so glad we came here. I just’s can’t explain it more than I was just so filled up with joy. It was amazing
The historic games followed two days of Unrivaled festivities in Philly, including a community event and youth clinic on Thursday. Friday’s action featured the Phantom edging the Breeze 71-68, followed by the Lunar Owls defeating the Rose 85-75.
Rose head coach Nola Henry emphasized the significant turnout. “It was just what women’s basketball deserves,” she said.
The night carried even more weight considering Philadelphia hasn’t hosted a professional women’s basketball game since 1998, when the Philadelphia Rage playing in the ABL. With the city set to receive a WNBA expansion team in 2030, this weekend felt like a powerful prevue of what’s coming next.
Philly goes Unrivaled: Celebrities, fans, and a city all in
Fans lined up outside the arena hours before tipoff, many wearing Unrivaled or WNBA gear, and stayed locked in through nearly three hours of action. The crowd included notable faces like Dawn Staley, Jason and Kylie Kelce, Wanda Sykes, Leslie Jones, Robin Roberts, and Sixers guard Kyle Lowry.
What this record-breaking moment means for Unrivaled
Collier called the moment a sign of something bigger:
It’s just a testament to what we’re budding here, how much people believe in it.So, to have the city show out like this, to break a record in all of women’s professional basketball here tonight, and for it to be Unrivaled, I think it’s just amazing. The future’s Unrivaled.
Following the overwhelming response, the league confirmed plans to expand its tour model next season, with multiple cities expected to host games. If Philadelphia was any indication, women’s basketball isn’t just growing…it’s thriving!