Philadelphia 76ers fans are entering the 2026-27 season with soaring confidence, ranking third in a new league-wide NBA Hope Index study. The survey of 5,000 supporters placed the 76ers behind only the San Antonio Spurs and defending champion New York Knicks with a score of 90 out of 100.
The study reveals a dramatic shift in the Philadelphia fanbase's outlook. A massive 86% of surveyed 76ers supporters feel better about the team now than they did one year ago. That's the largest increase among all 30 NBA fanbases and nearly doubles the league average of 46%. Fans also graded the team's offseason work an average of 8.7 out of 10, the highest mark any team received from its own supporters.
This approval has translated into serious championship expectations. Seventy-one percent of 76ers respondents agreed with the statement "this is our year." When asked to explain, 53% directly predicted Philadelphia would win the NBA Finals. That belief helped push the 76ers ahead of teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat in the overall Hope Index rankings.
Philadelphia's confidence level is unusual. Only five fanbases scored at least 80 on the index: the Spurs, Knicks, 76ers, Thunder, and Heat. The 76ers finished a full 12 points ahead of the sixth-place Minnesota Timberwolves. This places Philadelphia in a small group carrying the league's highest expectations into the new season.
The team's optimism stands out even among other contenders. The 76ers didn't just rank high because fans liked the offseason moves. Their supporters directly connected those transactions to competing for the NBA's biggest prize. The study's formula weighted regular-season predictions, playoff projections, and overall confidence, giving Philadelphia's third-place finish significant weight.
The survey reflects expectations, not a guarantee of on-court results.
Philadelphia's 86% optimism increase far outpaced other improving teams. Only 69% of Heat fans and 63% of Toronto Raptors fans reported greater confidence than last year. The specific offseason moves driving the grade weren't detailed, but the results clearly show strong approval of the organization's overall direction.
The Hope Index measured multiple factors. Expected regular-season results and projected postseason finishes each made up 25% of a team's score. Overall confidence added 15%, while offseason satisfaction, season expectations, and the year-over-year optimism improvement each accounted for 10%. Confidence in the head coach supplied the final 5%. Philadelphia performed well across these categories.
