This past year was an emotional roller coaster for Philadelphia 76ers fans, from enduring a 24-win season to watching the team land a top-three pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Still, the fandom’s loyalty and passion didn’t waver the way it might have with lesser passionate fan bases. 76ers fans have suffered through many frustrations throughout the past decade, but they don’t let it dilute their passion. Fans get vocal because they care, and that loyalty has been formally recognized.
FanSided has chosen Philadelphia as 2025’s top fanbase as part of its annual “Fandoms of the Year” initiative, which honors fan culture and unites the community.
Sixers fans went through a lot in 2025, but none of it scared them off
The 76ers entered 2025 four games below .500, with fans trying to maintain belief in what turned into a lost season. Joel Embiid and Paul George shuffled in and out of Philadelphia’s lineup as injuries and lack of cohesion decimated its chances of reaching the postseason.
By March 16th, the team officially sidelined Embiid and George for the rest of the year and Tyrese Maxey was soon to follow. Without their highly anticipated trio, the 76ers set their sights on the draft, but instead of losing interest, fans migrated to Tankathon in preparation for the NBA Draft Lottery.
Philadelphia spent the last month-and-a-half of the 2024-25 season sporting starting lineups that consisted of players like Oshea Brissett, Chuma Okeke and Marcus Bagley. Yet, the fandom tuned into games and found the silver lining to a series of nonconsequential games, such as Justin Edwards and Adem Bona’s ascensions.
On May 12th, it all became worth it.
Fans packed out venues across the city to see if their team’s tanking efforts would pay dividends, as the 76ers’ 2025 first-round pick held a protection from selections one through six. If the ping pong balls fell the wrong way, that pick would’ve gone to the Oklahoma City Thunder. But, luck was on Philadelphia’s side and it secured the third overall choice for the first time since 2017.
The fandom passionately debated about who the 76ers should draft throughout May and June, with the argument centering on VJ Edgecombe and Ace Bailey. With each fan wanting what’s best for their team, neither side relented until Philadelphia selected Edgecombe on June 25th.
Once Philadelphians saw an emotional Edgecombe react to his dreams coming true, the fanbase held a level of hope that seemed implausible just two months prior. The 76ers now held a young core composed of Maxey, Edgecombe, McCain and later Quentin Grimes, which was reason enough for the fans to buy back in, regardless of Embiid and George’s uncertainty.
Fast forward to the present day and the fandom’s passion hasn’t waned as Philadelphia is back on track to qualify for the postseason with a 14-11 record. Although the 76ers are yet to boast a clean health bill, the 2025-26 season has provided reason to cheer. From Maxey playing the part of a borderline top-10 player, to Edgecombe’s rookie strides and Embiid and George building momentum.
The 76ers’ future remains cloudy with a lot of unpredictable factors, but one aspect will remain constant: the loyalty and fire this fanbase has.