Following a packed audition last spring, the Shark Tank casting team is making its way back to Philadelphia. This is the second straight year of hosting an open call at Rivers Philadelphia, giving local entrepreneurs another shot to share fresh ideas and ambitious businesses.
The event is being produced alongside WPVI-TV 6abc and will take place at The Event Center at Rivers Philadelphia in Fishtown on Wednesday, March 18.
Shark Tank’s 2026 Casting Event For Season 18
Producers from ABC will be there to hear pitches straight from entrepreneurs ready to take their shot. Those planning to audition can line up beginning at 8 a.m. Wristbands will be given out from 9 to 11 a.m., and participants will pitch based on those numbers.
Last year, the casting call at Rivers Philadelphia drew a big turnout. More than 900 people showed up. Producers heard over 460 pitches across the day. Most entrepreneurs came from the region, though a few traveled from overseas, including France, as per producers.
For several businesses, that first audition became the starting point for deals later seen on Season 17, now airing on ABC.
Supervising Casting Producer of Shark Tank, Mindy Zemrak, commented on the experience. She said, “We were blown away by last year’s turnout and the quality of the entrepreneurs that presented to us. Returning to Philly was a no-brainer, and we can’t wait to see what innovative brands and entrepreneurs will impress us with in March.”
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Shark Tank Season 18’s Only East Coast Stop
The March 18 audition in Philadelphia will be one of only a handful of open casting calls held across the country. It will also be the sole East Coast stop for Shark Tank during Season 18. Entrepreneurs who pitched at last year’s event are encouraged to return and take another shot.
Guests can park at the property at no cost. A shuttle will operate all day, moving people between the main entrance and Riversuites at The Battery. The boutique hotel is located just across Penn Treaty Park, a short ride from the venue.
Philadelphia’s Track Record on Shark Tank
Several founders who later appeared on Season 17 got their start at the Rivers Philadelphia Event Center last April. They first pitched the casting team in Philly and went on to walk away from the Tank with backing. Among them were Forte3D from Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, and Warrior Kid Medic out of San Antonio.
Forte3D focuses on making classical string instruments more accessible by producing them through advanced 3D printing. The company secured a deal with Lori Greiner. Warrior Kid Medic found a partner in Daymond John, helping push forward its goal of teaching both kids and adults how to handle basic first aid in emergency situations.
Two more companies that appeared this season also trace their Shark Tank journey back to Philadelphia. Bon AppéSweet, a small-batch chocolate maker from Leonardtown, Maryland, landed a deal with multiple Sharks. QB54, a backyard football game created in Kendall Park, New Jersey, also made it onto the show.
Both businesses first shared their ideas with casting producers in Philly last spring, using the open call as their entry point to the Tank.
Philadelphia has been part of several Shark Tank success stories over the years. Scrub Daddy, which appeared on Season 4, went on to become the top-selling sponge ever. More recently, Reading-based Bro Glo made its mark in Season 16 with a self-tanning product designed specifically for men.
What to Expect at the Philadelphia Casting Call
Founders and creators are invited to come prepared and treat the audition like the real thing. Each participant gets a one-minute window to explain their business or idea directly to a casting producer.
To keep the on-air experience true to the show, the Sharks themselves do not take part in auditions. The event is limited to those pitching only, with no spectators allowed.
Scott Lokke, general manager of Rivers Philadelphia, said, “We’re thrilled to host ‘Shark Tank’s’ casting team for the second consecutive year and look forward to again welcoming hundreds of entrepreneurs to Fishtown. The national exposure and potential for investment by a Shark has been life-changing for many business owners, and Philly’s talent pool is exceptionally deep.”
Shark Tank’s return to Fishtown puts the spotlight back on Philadelphia’s startup scene. Past results speak for themselves. For anyone ready to take a swing, this audition could be where it all begins.
