ECW Arena

2300 Arena, formerly known as Viking Hall, XPW Arena, New Alhambra Arena, The Arena, Asylum Arena and best known as the ECW Arena, is a multipurpose indoor arena used primarily for professional wrestling, boxing, mixed martial arts, and concert events. Located in South Philadelphia under an elevated stretch of Interstate 95, it is named after its address at 2300 South Swanson Street. Prior to its status as an entertainment venue, the building served as a freight warehouse.

History

Freight warehouse (1970s–1986)

The facility was originally a freight warehouse in the 1970s.Rail tracks next to the building allowed trains to drop off freight for storage and then continue on to their destinations. The tracks were eventually paved over to become an extension of West Ritner Street, allowing West Ritner Street to intersect with South Swanson Street.

Viking Hall (1986–1993)

Elias Stein and Leon Silverman of the law firm Stein & Silverman Family Partnership, Inc. purchased the warehouse in 1986. The facility was given the name Viking Hall when the South Philadelphia Viking Club, a local chapter of mummers, began utilizing it. They used the building for storage and to rehearse for the annual Mummers Parade. The Viking Club would also stage midnight bingo games at the venue to raise funds for their organization.