Men's Basketball | April 11, 2023

PHILADELPHIA – Today, the Big 5 officially welcomed Drexel University and revealed details of a new series format where the Big 5 champion will be determined during a same-day, Big 5 triple-header at the New Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, December 2, 2023. The announcement was made on the court at Wells Fargo Center which has been home to numerous NCAA Tournament games, and has featured all of the Big 5 teams in action during its more than 25-year history. 
 
"Drexel University is honored to become part of the Philadelphia Big 5," said Drexel Director of Athletics Maisha Kelly. "The Philadelphia Big 5 is synonymous with basketball history in the city and it is exciting to have our brand now be associated with such a storied organization. As an institution of higher learning, prominently positioned in the city, we are proud to be aligned with these five schools that combine excellence in both academics and athletics. This is a historic day in Drexel basketball history. We look forward to making the Big Five Classic at the Wells Fargo Center a marquee event for our program, our University, and the Philadelphia sports community."
 
For the new series, the six schools will be separated into three-team pods: Pod 1: Temple, La Salle, and Drexel; Pod 2: Villanova, St. Joe's, and Penn. Each team will play the other two teams from their pod at their individual on-campus arenas. All teams will participate in the Big 5 Classic triple-header at the New Wells Fargo Center on December 2 with the first seed in each pod competing for the Big 5 championship, the second place teams in each pod competing for third place, and the third seeds competing for fifth place in the Big 5.
 
"Big 5 basketball and its traditions are a big part of the fabric of Philadelphia basketball," said Fran Dunphy, head coach of La Salle University Men's Basketball team. "We look back on the Big 5's history with great fondness, as we welcome a new member to our group in Drexel University and usher in a new era of Big 5 play. We are all excited to participate in this newly imagined format and the first Big 5 Classic at the new Wells Fargo Center next season." 
 
Wells Fargo Center has been the site of numerous NCAA Tournament games, including the NCAA Men's East Regionals (twice), the NCAA Men's First and Second Round Games (three times), and the 2000 NCAA Women's Final Four. Wells Fargo Center is set to host the NCAA Men's First & Second Round Games in 2026.
 
Wells Fargo Center holds the record for the highest attendance for a college basketball game in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania on February 13, 2006, when Villanova University played and defeated the #1 ranked University of Connecticut before a crowd of 20,859.
 
"The New Wells Fargo Center is the premiere destination for live sports and entertainment in the region and the perfect venue for the Big 5 Classic," said Valerie Camillo, President & CEO of Spectacor Sports and Entertainment. "With a rich history of unforgettable basketball games here in South Philadelphia, combined with numerous first-class amenities, technology features, plenty of parking and easy access, we look forward to creating new memories that can be shared across generations when we host the new Big 5 Classic triple-header in December."
 
Wells Fargo Center is currently in the final stage of its multi-year $350+ million Transformation which is one of the most significant arena projects anywhere in the world. Everything in the arena has been completely re-imagined with performer amenities and locker rooms set to be redone this summer and the building's exterior will also be completely transformed next summer.