Expansion of Xfinity Live! Near Live! Casino in Philadelphia Underway
The Xfinity Live! Entertainment venue is set to undergo a $15 million expansion, and this expansion will include a rooftop oasis, an open-air beer garden, a space for food trucks, and AV and LED screens for watching sports games. Cordish Companies, which also manages and developed Live! Casino in Philadelphia, mere steps away from Xfinity Live!, is in charge of the development.
The bustling Xfinity Live! complex in the Stadium District in Philadelphia is set for a transformative $15 million expansion, marking the first major upgrade since the entertainment and dining hotspot opened in 2012. Nestled between some of Philadelphia's most iconic sports venues - Citizen Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and the Wells Fargo Center - Xfinity Live! stands as a premier destination for sports fans and entertainment seekers alike. The expansion, announced jointly by Comcast and The Cordish Companies, aims to elevate Xfinity Live! into an even more vibrant center for dining, socializing, and sports-watching.
The vision for Xfinity Live!'s next chapter
The expanded Xfinity Live! is planned to incorporate numerous enhancements, with the goal of offering patrons new, diverse experiences. Among the highlights of the development is a two-story addition to the community plaza, featuring an upscale rooftop oasis referred to as AVA. AVA will be a top-notch addition to Philadelphia's entertainment scene, stated the principal of The Cordish Companies, Blake Cordish. "We are proud to continue investing in South Philadelphia to create an unparalleled experience for guests and fans. This investment reflects our commitment to create a gathering space for festivals, sports viewing, and community events unlike anything in the area."
Additionally, the plaza will feature an expanded PBR Cowboy Bar, which has been a cornerstone of Xfinity Live! since its inception. The new version will offer even more space for music, dancing, and entertainment, capturing the spirit of a Western-themed venue in the heart of Philadelphia. Complementing the bar, an open-air beer garden will provide a casual spot for friends to gather and socialize.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Xfinity Live! is also enhancing its turf area, transforming it into a multipurpose space for special events, community activities, and live entertainment. The upgraded plaza will include a designated area for local food trucks, bringing even more Philadelphia flavor to the venue and supporting local food entrepreneurs.
A state-of-the-art audio-visual system, complete with LED screens, will be installed to deliver optimal viewing experiences during live sports events. These cutting-edge improvements ensure that fans can catch every exciting moment from their favorite teams, making Xfinity Live! the ultimate sports-watching venue in the region.
A commitment to Philadelphia
Comcast, headquartered in Philadelphia, and The Cordish Companies, a Baltimore-based hospitality and casino conglomerate, have long collaborated on various entertainment ventures. Comcast operates Xfinity, the company's cable, telephone, internet, and wireless service brand. Cordish, known for its Live!-branded entertainment districts and casinos, owns multiple properties across the US, including the nearby Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, just steps away from Xfinity Live!.
Cordish's commitment to the region is reflected not only in Xfinity Live! but also in the recent $700 million development of Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, which opened in the early part of 2021. The full-scale integrated resort includes over 2,000 slot machines, 140 live dealer tables, a poker room with 29 tables, and a sportsbook. The Live! brand has quickly become synonymous with quality entertainment and gaming in Pennsylvania, and the Xfinity Live! expansion builds on this legacy.
Live! Philadelphia is known for its peak activity during weekends, Sunday Eagles' games, and other major sports events, generated substantial revenue from its various gaming operations. In 2023, Live! Philly's slot machines alone brought in $136.9 million in gross gaming revenue, ranking it eighth among Pennsylvania's 17 brick-and-mortar casinos. Furthermore, the venue's table games garnered over $108.4 million in earnings, positioning it as one of the state's top performers in this category.
A broader presence and economic impact
Outside Philadelphia, Cordish operates another Pennsylvania casino, Live! Casino Pittsburgh, located inside Westmoreland Mall in a repurposed department store space. This smaller 'mini-casino' features 750 slots, 40 live tables, and a FanDuel Sportsbook, catering to Pittsburgh-area patrons. In total, Cordish reported a 2023 Gross Gaming Revenue of around $368.7 million from its Pennsylvania operations, which includes both physical and mobile sports betting revenue. The company also generated $40 million in online gaming revenue, although a portion of that is shared with its digital partner, FanDuel.
With the Xfinity Live! expansion, Comcast and Cordish continue to deepen their investments in Philadelphia's Stadium District. By enhancing the entertainment destination, they are all set to create a lively, community-centered space that not only serves as a pre- and post-game gathering spot but also as a year-round venue for festivals, concerts, and neighborhood events.