Finneran Pavilion

William B. Finneran Pavilion
The Finn
The Finneran Pavilion during a basketball game in November 2018
Map
Former namesJohn Eleuthère du Pont Pavilion (1986–1997)
The Pavilion (1997–2017)
LocationVillanova University
Villanova, PA 19085
Coordinates40°02′03″N 75°20′12″W / 40.034072°N 75.336553°W / 40.034072; -75.336553
Public transit Stadium–Ithan Avenue: Bus transport SEPTA bus: 106
OwnerVillanova University
OperatorVillanova University
Capacity6,501 (basketball)
5,500 (concerts)
3,500 (tennis)
SurfaceMaple
Construction
Broke ground1985
OpenedFebruary 1, 1986
October 5, 2018[2]
Renovated2017–2018
ClosedFebruary 25, 2017 (Original Pavilion)
Construction cost$24.9 million
($69.2 million in 2023 dollars[1])
ArchitectTully International Inc. EwingCole (Renovation)
Tenants
Villanova Wildcats (NCAA) (1986–1995, 1998–2017, 2018–present)
Philadelphia Freedoms (WTT) (2010–2016)

The William B. Finneran Pavilion is a 6,501-seat multi-purpose arena in Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States, about 10 miles northwest of downtown (Center City) Philadelphia.

Built in 1985, the arena is home to the Villanova University Wildcats basketball teams. It is recognizable from the outside for its hyperbolic paraboloid roofline, similar to Alfond Arena at the University of Maine. It replaced the still-existing Villanova Field House, later renamed the "Jake Nevin Field House," a small arena-auditorium built in 1932.

The first men's basketball game played at the Pavilion took place on February 1, 1986, a 64–62 victory against the University of Maryland.

For basketball games where larger crowds are expected, Villanova plays at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia (where Villanova holds the record for largest Pennsylvania crowd to watch a college basketball game, att. 20,859).[3] The Finneran Pavilion is known for its famed student section, which constitutes a full third of the seating. Formerly located in the south end, the student bleachers seat 2,000 students but have been known to be filled with as many as 2,500 students.

Until 2016, it was the home court of the Philadelphia Freedoms of World TeamTennis.[4]

23,016 square feet (2,138.3 m2) of arena floor space is utilized for concerts, conventions, trade shows, graduation ceremonies and other special events. There are two meeting rooms.

  1. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  2. ^ "Villanova's Finneran Pavilion reopens after a $65 million renovation". Inquirer. October 5, 2018. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
  3. ^ No. 4 Villanova goes deep to beat No. 1 UConn
  4. ^ George, John (January 26, 2010). "Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis moving home court to Villanova". Philadelphia Business Journal. Retrieved January 22, 2017.