A Philadelphia fan creates a train scheme to raise costs and prevent Knicks fans from attending.

Embiid Urges 76ers Fans to Keep Tickets Against Knicks

Joel Embiid has made a heartfelt appeal to 76ers fans, asking them to hold onto their playoff tickets for the upcoming match against the Knicks.

Among the passionate fans is a man named Matt, whose dedication to the 76ers is evident. He’s proposed a rather bold strategy to ensure that Knicks fans don’t dominate the atmosphere at Xfinity Mobile Arena, which he jokingly calls “Madison Square Garden South.”

So, what exactly is his plan?

To deter Knicks supporters, he’s advising Sixers fans to buy refundable Amtrak tickets before Sunday’s Game 4. The idea is, they’ll cancel their train trips just before the game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET. He floated this idea on Reddit at r/Sixers, looking to get others on board.

For those curious about the costs, Knicks fans can expect to pay nearly $300 for a round-trip ticket, based on a survey from the Post that checked Amtrak’s website recently.

In comparison to the steep ticket prices for Games 5 and 7—over $500—those interested in traveling to Philadelphia aren’t facing quite as much of a financial burden for Game 4. Tickets for Friday’s Game 3 are available at about $159, with Game 4 slightly higher at $170. It’s worth noting an article mentioned that as of Thursday night, around 59 percent of tickets sold for Game 3 on TickPick were linked to accounts from New York and New Jersey.

Embiid, reflecting on the previous round against the Celtics, expressed his desire for Philadelphia fans to make the arena feel like home again. The memory of 2024 still looms, when the Knicks eliminated the Sixers in the first round, with New York fans making their presence loudly heard in Philadelphia.

Last time they faced off, it was basically a New York takeover at what should have been a home game for the Sixers. “We need your support,” Embiid emphasized, urging fans not to sell their tickets. “Some will, for financial reasons, but we truly need everyone there. If money’s tight, I can help out.

The rivalry seems to have spilled into other realms as well, with some New York restaurants changing the names of their Philadelphia cheesesteaks amid the playoff series. Interestingly, despite the Sixers being down 2-0 in the series, a recent taste test by a Post member highlighted a preference for a Philadelphia cheesesteak over New York’s chopped cheese.