United Center
The United Center opened its doors in 1994 on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. This new facility replaced the historic Chicago Stadium, which had stood across Madison Street since 1929. The old venue was known as "the madhouse on Madison" for its deafening atmosphere during hockey games. Construction costs reached $175 million to build the massive concrete and steel structure. Engineers utilized 3,500 tons of steel to create a building that stands tall over the city. The arena covers a 46-acre parcel west of the Chicago Loop. Financing came from an international syndicate involving banks from Japan, Australia, and France after delays caused by the early 1990s recession. The first event held inside the new building was WWF SummerSlam later that same year.
Reinsdorf and Wirtz families own and operate the United Center through a joint venture called UCJV. This partnership is split evenly at 50/50 between the two families who also own the teams playing there. They control much of the surrounding land and have considered major development schemes for decades. In 2024, they announced plans for a potential $7 billion mega-development named the 1901 Project. This project aims to add almost 9,500 new housing units and related business spaces. A new CTA Pink Line station is being explored for construction east of the arena in 2025. United Airlines pays about $1.8 million per year as of 2014 for naming rights to the facility. PepsiCo became the official soft drink partner on the 12th of July 2023, replacing Coca-Cola.
Designers originally estimated the United Center would be 80% as loud as the Chicago Stadium had been. To amplify noise levels, they placed angled steel panels around the top level to reflect sound back into the bowl. The goal was to replicate "The Roar" that made the old stadium famous during hockey games. An Allen TH323 Theatre Organ serves as a replica of the Barton organ from the previous venue. Recreating the notes of the old organ took two years of work. Architects initially proposed using limestone and granite for the exterior but chose precast concrete instead due to cost. The building features 216 luxury sky boxes at opening, which later decreased to 169 executive suites after renovations. A Sony Jumbotron was installed as the first video scoreboard used by both teams.
The Bulls won three consecutive championships while playing home games at this arena in the late 1990s. They hosted the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NBA Finals with victories in the sixth game at home for the first two series. The Blackhawks have hosted the Stanley Cup Finals three times since the venue opened. They clinched the 2015 title against Tampa Bay Lightning in the sixth game at home. This marked their first championship win in Chicago since 1938. The arena hosted the NCAA Division I Frozen Four on the 6th of April 8, 2017. It also held the NBA All-Star Game in 2020. The United Center has drawn over 20 million visitors since its opening date.
Billy Joel performed the first concert at the United Center but noted that acoustics needed improvement. Harry Styles, Olivia Rodrigo, P!nk, and New Kids on the Block have all sold out shows here. The venue hosts hundreds of concerts annually with a capacity of up to 23,500 people for music events. Dave Matthews Band released a live album from their the 19th of December 1998 show recorded at this location. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed here until the 21st of May 2017 when they permanently shut down. Disney on Ice took over the family event slot after the circus left Chicago. Oprah taped her farewell season special inside the arena on the 17th of May 2011. Pictures from that taping now hang on the wall of Gate Four.
The Democratic Party nominated Bill Clinton and Al Gore as candidates during the 1996 convention held here. The arena hosted the 2024 Democratic National Convention in July. It served as the municipal emergency hub during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. City officials closed a section of Monroe Street west of the stadium because the venue footprint extended onto the sidewalk. Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin criticized the street closure and design choices upon opening. He argued the building intentionally isolated itself from surrounding neighborhoods including the Henry Horner Homes public housing which was later demolished.
A statue of Michael Jordan stands mid-dunk in an atrium added to the center in 2017. Originally installed outside in 1994, it moved indoors to become part of the new event space. The sculpture features his career stats engraved at the base along with tenures with the Bulls. Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita received bronze statues outside the United Center during the 2011, 12 NHL season. A statue honoring various Blackhawks greats sits across Madison Street near the former stadium site. This outdoor monument includes the team's Indian head logo and names of all players up to that point. Scottie Pippen has a bronze bust dedicated inside the first-floor concourse since 2011.
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Common questions
When did the United Center open its doors in Chicago?
The United Center opened its doors in 1994 on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. This new facility replaced the historic Chicago Stadium which had stood across Madison Street since 1929.
Who owns and operates the United Center through a joint venture called UCJV?
Reinsdorf and Wirtz families own and operate the United Center through a joint venture called UCJV. This partnership is split evenly at 50/50 between the two families who also own the teams playing there.
What major development project did the owners announce for the United Center in 2024?
In 2024 they announced plans for a potential $7 billion mega-development named the 1901 Project. This project aims to add almost 9,500 new housing units and related business spaces.
Which team won three consecutive championships while playing home games at the United Center in the late 1990s?
The Bulls won three consecutive championships while playing home games at this arena in the late 1990s. They hosted the 1996 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals with victories in the sixth game at home for the first two series.
When was the NCAA Division I Frozen Four held at the United Center?
The arena hosted the NCAA Division I Frozen Four on the 6th of the 8th of April 2017. It also held the NBA All-Star Game in 2020.