Chicago Bulls
Venue and travel guide
Venue and location
Address
1901 West Madison Street
Source statement; not independently verified.
City
Chicago
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
Shared arena with the NHL Chicago Blackhawks; owned/operated 50/50 by the United Center Joint Venture (Reinsdorf and Wirtz families). Surrounded by the $7B "1901 Project" mixed-use redevelopment (groundbreaking June 3, 2026), a 55-acre, 13M-sq-ft master plan running through ~2040
Source statement; not independently verified.
Phone
(312) 455-4500 (main); Guest Relations (312) 455-4509
Source statement; not independently verified.
State
IL
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue name
United Center
Source statement; not independently verified.
Zip code
60612
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking
Cheapest
Independent/private lots ($15–$20 typical nights) and prepaying official lots in advance via SpotHero; transit is often cheaper than parking
Source statement; not independently verified.
Guide url
https://www.nba.com/bulls/tickets/united-center-parking and https://www.unitedcenter.com (official lots via SpotHero)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking in Lot G South at Damen Ave. and Monroe St. (valid disability placard/plate required)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Hours
Official lots open to the public two hours before game time
Source statement; not independently verified.
Overnight
Not permitted in official event lots (event-only parking)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Payment
Cashless — credit/debit and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay); prepaid passes via SpotHero/official site
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prepaid
Yes — prepaid official passes via the United Center site/SpotHero; prepay generally cheaper than gate
Source statement; not independently verified.
Prices
Official lots generally $24–$40; Lot C (closest) ~$27 prepaid / $29 gate; independent lots average $15–$20 on typical regular-season nights and rise sharply for playoffs/concerts
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transport
CTA #20 Madison bus stops at the arena; #19 United Center Express runs on game days; CTA Green Line (Damen) and Pink Line (Ashland) nearby
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tailgating
N/A — indoor arena (no formal tailgating program; limited lot gatherings only)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Traffic
Madison St. and Damen Ave. congest immediately pre/post-event; I-290 (Eisenhower) ramps and Ashland/Damen corridors back up around tipoff and buzzer
Source statement; not independently verified.
Types
12 official lots (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, K, L plus MXC Garage) totaling 6,000+ spaces directly outside the arena; numerous independent/private lots surround the campus
Source statement; not independently verified.
Public transportation
Airport connection
From O'Hare/Midway via CTA Blue Line to Illinois Medical District (then bus/walk) or transfer to Green/Pink Lines
Source statement; not independently verified.
App
Ventra app and CTA Bus/Train Tracker (ctabustracker.com)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Best option
#20 Madison bus (door-to-door) or #19 United Center Express on game days; Green Line to Damen for rail riders
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bus routes
#20 Madison (stops at the arena), #19 United Center Express (game days), plus #50 Damen
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fare
CTA Ventra (card, app, or contactless); $2.25 bus / $2.50 rail (standard fares)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Ferry
N/A — inland arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Nearest station
CTA Green Line — Damen station (closest "L" stop, short walk via Madison/Damen)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Rail lines
CTA Green Line (Damen), Pink Line (Ashland), Blue Line (Illinois Medical District); a future Pink Line station is proposed within the 1901 Project
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Transit avoids parking/surge costs; the #19 Express is the fastest from downtown on game days
Source statement; not independently verified.
Walking distance
~15-minute walk from Green/Pink Ashland or Lake-area stations; Damen Green Line is closer. #20 bus stops at the door
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shuttles
Accessibility
CTA buses are ADA-accessible (low-floor/ramp); CTA provides service to/from the arena for guests with disabilities
Source statement; not independently verified.
Cost
Standard CTA fare ($2.25 bus)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Drops directly at the United Center on Madison St
Source statement; not independently verified.
Frequency
~Every 10 minutes pre-game on the #19; frequent service post-event
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notes
The #19 is game-day only; off-day visitors use the #20 Madison route
Source statement; not independently verified.
Operator
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Pickup
#19 boards along Madison St. through downtown/Loop
Source statement; not independently verified.
Routes
No dedicated team-operated parking shuttle; CTA #19 United Center Express functions as the de facto game-day shuttle bus from the Loop
Source statement; not independently verified.
Schedule
#19 runs on game days starting ~90 minutes before the game, every ~10 minutes until ~30 minutes before start; reverse service after events
Source statement; not independently verified.
Bicycles
Rack locations
Public bike racks around the arena perimeter; a Divvy dock sits across Madison St. from the main entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Secure
No dedicated secure bike valet currently; 1901 Project plans add secure bike rooms
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share cost
Divvy single ride/day pass per Divvy rate card (e.g., single-ride unlock + per-minute, or day pass); see divvybikes.com
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share distance
At the arena — across Madison St. from the main entrance
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share provider
Divvy (Lyft-operated, City of Chicago program)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Share station
Yes — Divvy station at the United Center (Madison St.)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Tips
Divvy fills fast on game days — staff prepare for overflow; future 1901 Project adds protected bike lanes on Damen, Adams, and Warren
Source statement; not independently verified.
Accessibility
Accessible parking
Accessible parking in Lot G South (Damen Ave. & Monroe St.) with valid placard/plate
Source statement; not independently verified.
Assistive listening
Personal assistive-listening headsets available free at Guest Relations booths
Source statement; not independently verified.
Contact
Guest Relations (312) 455-4509; see unitedcenter.com/accessibility-and-sensory-inclusive-guide
Source statement; not independently verified.
Dropoff
Accessible drop-off near arena entrances; CTA accessible service available to/from the venue
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
Sign-language interpreters are available free of charge with 1–2 weeks' advance notice
Source statement; not independently verified.
Restrooms
ADA-accessible restrooms throughout all concourse levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Sensory
Certified sensory-inclusive venue (KultureCity); sensory bags and a Sensory Room at Gate 2½ (request access at the Gate 2 Guest Relations booth)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Service animals
Service animals are welcome; questions handled by Guest Relations at (312) 455-4509
Source statement; not independently verified.
Wheelchair seating
Wheelchair-accessible and companion seating on all levels, including floor access via elevator; folding chairs provided in accessible sections
Source statement; not independently verified.
Food and vendors
Cashless
Yes — fully cashless (cards and mobile wallets only; reverse ATMs available)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Craft beer
Revolution Brewing Anti-Hero IPA, Goose Island "Bull & Goose" ale (4.8% ABV), and the Chicago Pours bar program (Longman & Eagle, Lost Lake, Green River, The Duck Inn, etc.)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The United Center's "Chicago Pours" program brings cocktails from 15 of the city's acclaimed neighborhood bars inside the arena
Source statement; not independently verified.
Local
Lillie's Q (BBQ/brisket fries), Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Little Goat Taqueria, Giordano's, plus the "Chicago Pours" program featuring 15 local bars
Source statement; not independently verified.
Mobile ordering
Yes — mobile order/pickup available at select stands via arena app
Source statement; not independently verified.
Notable stands
Banner Level food hall, Honey Butter Fried Chicken, Lillie's Q, Little Goat Taqueria, Giordano's, Chicago Pours cocktail bars
Source statement; not independently verified.
Outside food policy
Outside food/beverage generally prohibited; small exceptions for medical/infant needs per venue policy
Source statement; not independently verified.
Parking Apps Accepted
SpotHero (official prepaid), ParkMobile, ParkWhiz
Source statement; not independently verified.
Signature food
Honey Butter Fried Chicken's OG Sandwich; Bulls fans also favor Chicago staples like Giordano's deep-dish and Italian beef
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue history
Architect
HOK Sport (now Populous) with Marmon Mok and W. E. Simpson Company; 2017 atrium addition by HOK
Source statement; not independently verified.
Construction cost
$175 million (≈$380 million in 2025 dollars)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Famous moments
Bulls' 1996, 1997, 1998 NBA championship runs; hosted WWF SummerSlam (first event, 1994), and the 1996 and 2024 Democratic National Conventions
Source statement; not independently verified.
Fun fact
The 12-foot bronze Michael Jordan "The Spirit" statue (1994) now stands in the indoor atrium; the arena's angled steel panels were engineered to recreate "The Roar" of old Chicago Stadium
Source statement; not independently verified.
Opened
1994 (opened August 18, 1994; first NBA game November 4, 1994)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original capacity
~21,500–22,220 (basketball); 216 original luxury sky-boxes and ~3,000 club seats
Source statement; not independently verified.
Original name
United Center (named at opening for naming-rights sponsor United Airlines)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Records
Bulls led the NBA in average home attendance in 2023–24 (avg. 20,624); arena record attendance 22,819 (Blackhawks vs. NY Rangers, Feb 15, 1997)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Renovations
300 Level renovation 2009–10; exterior work 2014; atrium/east addition expansion 2016–17 (Michael Jordan statue moved indoors). Surrounding 1901 Project began June 2026
Source statement; not independently verified.
Retired numbers
Bulls retired numbers — 4 Jerry Sloan, 10 Bob Love, 23 Michael Jordan, 33 Scottie Pippen; banners for coach Phil Jackson and GM Jerry Krause; six championship banners (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Venue details
Capacity
20,917 (up to 23,129 with standing room) — the largest-capacity arena in the NBA
Source statement; not independently verified.
Climate
Fully enclosed, climate-controlled indoor arena (~960,000 sq ft on a ~46-acre parcel)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Elevation
Chicago ground elevation ~594 ft above sea level; building stands 140 ft tall
Source statement; not independently verified.
Levels
Three main bowl tiers (100/lower, 200/club, 300/upper) plus suite/club levels
Source statement; not independently verified.
Premium
~169 executive suites across three suite levels, plus club seating and premium lounges (originally 216 sky-boxes)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Scoreboard
Mitsubishi Electric center-hung video scoreboard (replaced earlier Sony Jumbotron)
Source statement; not independently verified.
Shared tenants
NHL Chicago Blackhawks (co-owner/co-tenant); hosts 200+ events/year including concerts
Source statement; not independently verified.
Surface
Hardwood court laid over the Blackhawks' ice sheet (puzzle-assembled flooring removed for hockey)
Source statement; not independently verified.