Crystal Palace co-owner David Blitzer is backing a £1bn arena development in South Philadelphia, and the project has now picked up confirmed partners, architects and a chairman. The Blitzer Philadelphia arena scheme remains on course for a 2030 opening, with fresh detail sharpening a story Palace supporters have followed since the summer.
This update sets out what is now confirmed, what is still unannounced, and whether any of it reaches into Palace’s own affairs. It builds on our original report on the venture.
The existing sections, kept in order
The arena will sit in South Philadelphia, next to Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park. Under the deal, the Philadelphia 76ers become equal 50-50 partners with Comcast Spectacor, with HBSE central to the arrangement. Design duties have gone to Populous and Moody Nolan, two established names in sports architecture.
David Adelman chairs the joint venture. He said: “Building something of this scale takes a village. I’m honoured to serve as chairman of this joint venture and thrilled to collaborate with my longtime partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, HBSE CEO Tad Brown, and our partners at Comcast and the Flyers, Brian Roberts and Dan Hilferty.”
Adelman also set out the ambition behind the build: “Together, with global design firm Populous and nationally acclaimed architect Moody Nolan, we’re working to create one of the most technologically advanced venues in the country, delivering a world class experience while generating hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city of Philadelphia and its School District.”
What Blitzer’s Philadelphia arena project is
The Blitzer Philadelphia arena is a £1bn venue due to open in 2030, built for the 76ers and the Philadelphia Flyers to share once complete. It sits apart from football entirely, run through HBSE and Global Football Holdings rather than through Crystal Palace.
That distinction matters for Palace fans. Blitzer remains a co-owner at Selhurst Park, but nothing in the confirmed details ties the arena project to Palace’s transfer planning or to the club’s ownership structure. The two sit in separate parts of his wider business interests.
What happens next
The confirmed details so far cover the partners, the location and the 2030 target date. No construction start date has been announced, and no further planning milestones have been set out publicly.
Until Blitzer’s camp or HBSE confirm a start date, there is little more to add on the Philadelphia side. Palace’s own business carries on separately, whatever happens with the arena project.
Away from Blitzer’s American ventures, Palace’s own schedule keeps moving. Supporters can catch up with our Lech Poznan preview and the Sarr and Nketiah boost ahead of that fixture, plus our Leeds TV guide and the Leeds preview for the weekend. On the transfer side, the Wharton transfer stance and the 2026-27 squad guide cover the squad news beyond Blitzer’s business dealings.
