Philly loves its Flyers
The Flyers entered the NHL in 1967 as part of the league's first big expansion and won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 1975. Those teams earned the nickname "Broad Street Bullies" for their physical style, and the name still sums up how many Philadelphians like their hockey: tough, emotional and a little bit chaotic. Fans here are famously passionate, and they do not hide their feelings in the stands.
If you are dating in the Philadelphia area, from South Philly row houses to the Main Line and South Jersey, you will meet plenty of people who grew up with orange and black in the house.
Xfinity Mobile Arena
Home ice is Xfinity Mobile Arena, beside the stadiums where the Eagles and Phillies play. The arena was known as the Wells Fargo Center until it was renamed in September 2025, so you may still hear the old name in conversation. The 76ers share the building.
The easiest way there is SEPTA's Broad Street Line, which runs straight down Broad Street from City Hall to the stop at the sports complex. Drivers can use the large lots around the stadiums. Before a game, many fans tailgate or grab food at the entertainment district inside the complex. For a quieter pregame dinner, East Passyunk Avenue is a short ride away and full of restaurants.
Gritty
In 2018 the Flyers introduced Gritty, a large, wild-eyed orange mascot. The internet did not know what to make of him at first, and then he became a pop culture star. Today Gritty shows up at games, community events and in countless memes. Your date might own a Gritty shirt. If so, you are probably dealing with a serious fan with a sense of humor.
The Battle of Pennsylvania
The Flyers and Penguins have one of the fiercest rivalries in the sport. The two cities sit at opposite ends of the state, connected by the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and their fans love to hate each other. The Flyers and Rangers have plenty of history too, and Devils fans are close enough across the river to make things interesting.
Orange-and-black fans paired with someone in Pittsburgh gold should agree on a few rules early; our rival fan guide offers some.
Skating at Penn's Landing
The Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing becomes a winter village with skating, fire pits and food by the Delaware River. It is one of the best winter date spots in the city, especially at night when the Ben Franklin Bridge lights up. Check dates and hours before you go, as the winter season changes each year.
Adult and college hockey
The region has a strong adult hockey scene, with rinks across the city, the Pennsylvania suburbs and South Jersey. The Flyers practice in Voorhees, New Jersey, and many local teams skate at rinks nearby. College hockey is close too, with Penn State a few hours away and several smaller programs in the region. The Lehigh Valley Phantoms, the Flyers' AHL affiliate, play in Allentown and make a good road trip date.
Getting home safely
The Broad Street Line runs late after games, but trains can get crowded right after the final horn. If you prefer to wait, have a drink in the sports complex first. Drivers should snap a photo of the lot sign, because those acres of asphalt look identical at night. Rideshare pickup can be slow after big games. For getting out of the sports complex late, see the safety page.
How Flyers fans can stand out
- Bring your sense of humor. Philly fans are passionate. Show you can laugh at a bad season.
- Mention your neighborhood. Fishtown, Manayunk, Cherry Hill and Delaware County each bring a different crowd.
- Share your other teams. Many Flyers fans are also die-hard Eagles or Phillies supporters, which gives you year-round date ideas.
- Know the history. A passing mention of the 1970s Cup teams or Bobby Clarke goes a long way.
Date ideas around Philadelphia
- Dinner on East Passyunk, then a Flyers game.
- Skating at the RiverRink by the Delaware.
- A Phantoms game in Allentown.
- A summer bike ride along the Schuylkill River Trail.
- An away game on the TV at a corner tap room in Fishtown.
Find more on our hockey date ideas page.
A year of Philly sports
Philadelphia never really has an off-season. When hockey ends, the Phillies are in full swing, and by August Eagles training camp is the talk of the city. Dating a Philly sports fan often means sharing several teams at once. Ask your match how they rank their loyalties. The answer can be revealing, and the follow-up questions are endless.
Flyers fans across the river
A big share of the Flyers crowd lives in South Jersey, from Cherry Hill to Haddonfield to the shore towns. The PATCO line runs from New Jersey into Center City, where you can switch to the Broad Street Line for games. For many couples in the region, the bridges over the Delaware are just part of the commute. If you live on the Jersey side, mention it, and a match will know a Haddonfield coffee date is easy.
The Spectrum and old South Philly
Before the current arena, the Flyers played at the Spectrum, which stood in the same sports complex until it was torn down in 2010 and 2011. Fans who grew up there talk about the Cup parades of the 1970s and the noise of a building that felt like it was shaking. If your date has a Spectrum story, settle in.
Summer nights before the season
When the ice is out of the arena, Flyers fans still find ways to talk hockey. Development camp in July, the draft in late June and the schedule release all spark conversations. Summer is a great time to meet someone, sit outside at a beer garden and argue about next year's lines before the long winter arrives.
A Philly opener that works
"Spectrum or the new building?" is a great opening line for a Flyers fan. So is asking who their favorite Flyer of all time is. Expect strong opinions and loud answers.
A Philly safety note
South Philly lots empty out within minutes after a game. Walk out with the crowd.
Make the first move, Philly
Put your neighborhood, your Flyers era and whether you own a Gritty shirt into your profile, then Signup Here. Members across the Delaware Valley can sign in any time. Read our Pittsburgh guide before the next turnpike rivalry game, or open New York and the full cities page.