The Palestra
Venue Enshrinement
Basketball
Located at 215 South 33rd Street on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania
Current capacity: 8,722
Often dubbed "The Birthplace of College Basketball”
Home of the University of Penn Quakers and Philadelphia’s Big 5
Remains the oldest major college arena still in use
Originally opened on January 1, 1927
One of the first modern steel and concrete arenas in the United States
Also one of the first to be constructed without interior pillars that obstruct views
Penn defeated Yale 26-15 before a capacity crowd of 10,000 in the first basketball game played there (1/1/27)
Has hosted more men's basketball games, more visiting teams, and more NCAA tournaments than any other facility
Famed for its bleacher seats that run right onto the end of the court giving attendees an intimate feel for the game
A total of 52 NCAA Tournament games have been played there
- Has been the site of the East Regionals 6 times
- Has been the site of the sub-regionals 10 times
Voted the 6th greatest college sports arena in the country by Sports Illustrated
