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March Madness Arrives in South Philly Arena
17 Mar
Summary
- NCAA Tournament preparations begin in South Philadelphia arena.
- Crews installed a custom NCAA court, replacing the Sixers court.
- Local teams from Delaware Valley will compete in the tournament.

NCAA Tournament preparations have commenced in South Philadelphia, which is hosting the event for the first time since 2022. The transformation of the arena floor began on Monday, requiring the removal of the Sixers' court to make way for the NCAA's custom court. This intricate process involved assembling 250 pieces laid out across 16 pallets.
Four local schools from the Delaware Valley are set to compete in the 2026 NCAA tournament. For players, the opportunity to play on the NCAA court is deeply meaningful. Former Villanova standout Corey Fisher described the experience as an honor, emphasizing the significance of the NCAA patch on the floor and jersey. He noted that playing in Philadelphia during his sophomore season was particularly special due to the home-like atmosphere and increased family attendance.