United Center

United Center is an indoor sports arena in the Near West Side neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The facility features multiple seating tiers that wrap around a central playing surface and accommodates roughly 23,500 spectators for basketball games.

The arena opened in 1994 and replaced Chicago Stadium, which had served as home to local sports teams for decades. Since then, it has hosted two professional franchises, the Bulls in the NBA and the Blackhawks in the NHL.

The rafters display six NBA championship banners from the 1990s, marking one of basketball's most celebrated dynasties. Fans gather in nearby restaurants and taverns before games, creating a lively neighborhood scene on event nights.

The building has several entrances with security screening that help manage the flow of visitors during large events. Guests will find numerous concession stands and food kiosks throughout the facility, open during games and concerts.

A bronze statue of Michael Jordan stands outside the main entrance, showing the player mid-leap in his classic form. The building uses a sound system engineered to mimic the loud atmosphere of the old Chicago Stadium during hockey matches.

Location: Illinois

Inception: August 18, 1994

Architects: Populous

Official opening: August 18, 1994

Capacity: 23500

Website: https://unitedcenter.com

GPS coordinates: 41.88056,-87.67417

Latest update: December 4, 2025 19:00