| United Center | |
|---|---|
| "The UC" "The Madhouse on Madison II" "The House That Jordan Built" |
|
  The United Center in 2006 |
|
| Location | 1901 W. Madison St, Chicago 60612 |
| Coordinates | 41°52′50″N 87°40′27″W / 41.88056°N 87.67417°WCoordinates: 41°52′50″N 87°40′27″W / 41.88056°N 87.67417°W |
| Broke ground | April, 1992 |
| Built | 1992-1994 |
| Opened | August 18, 1994 |
| Renovated | 2009 (300 Level) |
| Owner | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Operator | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Construction cost | $175 million |
| Architect | Populous W.E. Simpson Company |
| Capacity | Concerts: 23,500 Basketball: 20,917 (2009-present) with standing room at least 22,352 21,711 (1994-2009) Hockey: 19,717 (2009-present) with standing room at least 22,309 20,500 (1994-2009) |
| Tenants | |
| Chicago Bulls (NBA) (1994-present) Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) (1994-present) |
|
The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side community area of Chicago. It is named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. The plan to build the arena was created by the late Bill Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf, the owners of the two sports teams, respectively. The United Center's predecessor was the indoor Chicago Stadium, the original "Madhouse on Madison", which was demolished after the newer arena opened for business on August 18, 1994. A statue of Michael Jordan is located on the east side of the arena, while a statue of various Blackhawks sits to the north on Madison Street, where the Chicago Stadium was located. United Airlines pays about $1.8 million per year until 2014 for its naming rights.[1]
Contents |
The United Center, which is currently owned by Rocky Wirtz and Reinsdorf, covers 960,000 square feet (89,187 m²) and is located on a 46-acre (19 ha) parcel, west of the Chicago Loop. The arena is the largest in the United States in physical size, though not in capacity. Its exterior bears a striking resemblance to that of Chicago Stadium. It seats 19,717 (not including standing room) for hockey (highest attendance at a Blackhawks game in 2010 was 22,309 vs. Detroit), 20,917 (not including standing room) for basketball (highest attendance at a Bulls game in 2010 was 22,352 vs. Miami) and up to 23,500 for concerts. The United Center hosts over 200 events per year and has drawn over 20 million visitors since its opening. It is known for routinely meeting or exceeding seating capacity for Bulls and, as of 2008, Blackhawks games.
United Center's acoustics were designed to amplify the noise level in order to recreate "The Roar" – the din of noise that made Chicago Stadium famous, especially during hockey games. During hockey season, an Allen Organ that is a replica of the old arena's famous Barton organ is used; recreating the old organ's notes took two years.
As of the 2009 renovation, the stadium has 169 executive suites on three levels.
In addition to more than 80 Bulls/Blackhawks games each year, the United Center has hosted other sporting events such as University of Illinois basketball, the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament (from the first tournament in 1998 to 2001, then in odd numbered years from 2003 to 2007, before the tournament moved permanently to Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis), the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament (hosted seven times, including 2007), the Roundball Classic, and the Great Eight Classic. Musical acts appearing at the United Center have included Frank Sinatra soon after reopening, October, 22 1994, U2, Roger Waters, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, AC/DC, Madonna, Shania Twain, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, The Who, Barbra Streisand, Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Coldplay, Aerosmith, Genesis, Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Kanye West, Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Beyoncé, Shakira, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Rush, the Eagles, and many other well-known performers.
The arena was the Bulls' home during their second run of three consecutive championships, hosting the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NBA Finals. The Bulls won the 1996 and 1997 series in the sixth game at home, but won the 1998 series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, which is now known as the EnergySolutions Arena.
The first ever sporting event held at the United Center was World Wrestling Entertainment's SummerSlam PPV, held on August 29, 1994. It was also used by World Championship Wrestling for their TV tapings and PPVs in Chicago.
U2 filmed a concert at the United Center during the American Leg of their Vertigo Tour for the concert film Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. Dave Matthews Band released Live in Chicago 12.19.98 recorded at the United Center as live album, and a bootleg video of the webcast of the performance is widely in circulation among DMB fans. The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Disney on Ice.
The United Center was also the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
New for the 2009-10 season, the United Center’s 300 Level features a renovated concourse with 144 flat screen televisions powered by LG, new food and beverage stations above select seating sections and two new bars that open up to panoramic views of the arena.
The United Center includes:
Media related to United Center at Wikimedia Commons   | The United Center web site - United Center - Home Page |
|
|
Wikis
Quiz
Map
Misc
Search
