Beginner’s Guide to Immersing Yourself in Philly Sports Culture

November 16, 2022

Philadelphia sports culture runs deep. For over 100+ years, we’ve experienced momentous wins and disappointing losses—but one thing remains constant: our loyalty and love for the game

Whether it’s your first time visiting the city, you’re stopping by for a weekend or you just moved here, catching a game should be on your Philly bucket list.

Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer

We’re fortunate to live in a city that has a professional franchise in 5 major league sports. And Spruce Street Commons is in the heart of it all, with almost all major sports teams playing a few miles south of Center City:

NBA: The 76er-s play at the Wells Fargo Center

MLS: Philadelphia Union plays at Subaru Park

NHL: The Flyers play at the Wells Fargo Center

MLB: The Phillies play at Citizens Bank Park

NFL: The Eagles play at Lincoln Financial Field

Sports Bars in Philadelphia

Photo: Philadelphia Inquirer

Here’s where you can truly immerse yourself in Philly sports culture: the sports bars. Nothing compares to a crowded bar filled with fans boasting about the star player or celebrating every time their team scores. Philly has an abundance of sports bars with good food, great beer, and top-tier vibes you need to experience. 

Just a short drive from The Annex and The Touraine, you’ll find dozens of sports bars near Rittenhouse Square. A few of our favorite spots to catch a game are the following: Cavanaugh’s Rittenhouse, Bar-Ly Chinatown and Buffalo Billiards.

Buffalo Billards is the perfect place to catch a game with friends and have some fun. It has 2 floors, 2 full bars, 17 TVs, 8 pool tables, 4 shuffleboard tables, and so much more. Not near Center City? We’ve got you covered. Click here to check out the best sports bars in Philadelphia.

Experience Philly Sports All Year Long

Photo: Billy Penn

We’re lucky to have a professional franchise team playing every season so you won’t have to miss out on all the fun. When it comes to game day, you’ve got to go all out. We’re proud of our teams and aren’t afraid to show it. You’ll see fans dressed head to toe representing their favorite player or people with signs and face paint, yelling chants, and getting pumped. We’re pretty serious about our sports, but we also love to have fun. Grab a beer and a hot dog, and get ready for a good time.

If you remember that clip from Silver Linings Playbook, you know we have an unspoken tradition of tailgating during football season, especially during the season opener. And if any team wins whether it’s the Phillies or the Eagles, you bet we’ll be celebrating. Philly fans take it to the next level, with crowds of sports enthusiasts chanting, dancing, and celebrating on the streets of major games like the World Series or Super Bowl.

Philly Sports Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Earlier this year, Philadelphia was chosen as a Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This is huge! Only 11 U.S cities were selected to host matches and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of this momentous event. As we wait for the big day, you can find us wearing our Philadelphia Union jerseys and practicing our game-day chants. 2026 is going to be a big year for our city as we’re also going to be hosting the MLB All-Star Game. The midsummer matchup will return to Philly for the first time since 1996! 

Till then, there are plenty of teams to root for such as the 76ers, Eagles, and Flyers. To catch the 76ers playing a home game at the Wells Fargo Center, purchase your tickets here. The Eagles have a handful of home games coming up against the Green Bay Packers and Tennessee Titans at Lincoln Financial Field. You still have time to catch them before the playoffs so grab your jersey and snag your tickets here. The Flyers have an action-packed season lined up with multiple games scheduled each week. To watch them play this season at the Wells Fargo Center, click here to purchase your tickets.