76ers Appear to be Trying to Keep Knicks Fans From Purchasing Tickets
The Philadelphia 76ers pulled off an upset in round one against the Boston Celtics in a seven-game series. Now, the 76ers are trying to protect their home court from visiting fans in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
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New York Knicks fans came in large numbers to Wells Fargo Center during the first round of the playoffs in 2024, prompting 76ers star center Joel Embiid to voice his disappointment in Philadelphia fans selling tickets to a rival fan base.
The 76ers are trying to circumvent that happening again in the semifinals by limiting the purchase of tickets online to residents within the “Greater Philadelphia Area.”
“Xfinity Mobile Arena is located in Philadelphia, PA. Sales to this event will be restricted to residents of Greater Philadelphia area. Residency will be based on credit card billing address. Orders by residents outside Greater Philadelphia area will be canceled without notice and refunds given.”
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Certainly, there will be plenty of savvy Knicks fans who will circumvent the policy. Not to mention, there are Knicks fans who reside in the Greater Philadelphia area.
The memory of Knicks fans invading Philadelphia in 2024 has been burned into the memory of Embiid. During his postgame news conference on Saturday night, he urged 76ers fans not to sell tickets to Knicks fans.
“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” Embiid said. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
True 76ers fans should only sell to fans who will be cheering loudly against the Knicks. It would be an embarrassment for Philadelphia to have its home court overrun by a rival.
The 76ers look like a threat to contend for the Eastern Conference Finals after a strong performance against the Celtics in round one. It would be a shame if they didn’t have the advantage of home court for Game 3 on Friday night.
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This story was originally published May 3, 2026 at 11:07 AM.