Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:1901 West Madison
Chicago, Illinois
Our Sports Superfan Says:
If Yankee Stadium is "The House that Ruth Built," then the United Center is undoubtedly "The House that Jordan Built." Opened in 1994, after the Chicago Bulls won three straight NBA championships between 1991 and 1993, it saw one of the greatest teams in NBA history in 1996, as the Bulls won 72 of 82 games and rolled to the first of three more consecutive championships. Without Jordan, the Bulls probably would not have won anything. As a result, a statue of Jordan stands outside the United Center, which will probably never recreate the dominance of those mid-90s Bulls teams. But fans still come out to the United Center to see the new and improved Bulls, as well as the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks.
The United Center covers 960,000 square feet, proclaiming itself the largest arena in the United States. It also was designed acoustically to match the famous crowd noise at the United Center's predecessor, Chicago Stadium. Seating-wise, the United Center holds 21,711 for basketball, 20,500 for hockey, and more than 23,000 for wrestling and concerts.
In addition to its main tenants, the United Center has hosted select University of Illinois basketball games, the Big 10 men's basketball tournament, NCAA Tournament games, and other in-season college basketball tournaments. It has also hosted pro wrestling events over the years. Outside the sports world, the United Center has hosted the circus, ice shows, Cirque de Soleil, and numerous concerts. In 1996 it even produced a presidential candidate, and eventual winner, as it played host to the Democratic National Convention. There is also a theater onsite that hosts smaller shows and assorted productions.
The arena is located just west of Chicago's Loop, and is accessible via public transit on Buses 19 or 20, as well as by taking the Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown lines to Madison station.