Upcoming Chicago Blackhawks dates
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
An Original Six club with six championships
The Chicago Blackhawks play home games at the United Center on Chicago's Near West Side, and the NHL regular season there runs from October into April. Founded in 1926, the Blackhawks are one of the Original Six, the group of franchises (Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York and Toronto) that made up the NHL from 1942 until expansion in 1967.
The club has won the Stanley Cup six times: in 1934, 1938 and 1961, and then three times in six seasons, in 2010, 2013 and 2015. The 2010 title ended a drought that stretched back to 1961. For decades the name was written as two words, Black Hawks; the team adopted the single-word spelling in 1986 after finding it in the original franchise documents.
The Blackhawks compete in the Central Division of the Western Conference. The deepest rivalry is with the Detroit Red Wings, a fellow Original Six club. The St. Louis Blues are the modern division rival, and playoff series in the 2010s gave the Vancouver Canucks rivalry its edge. The Wirtz family has controlled the team for generations; Danny Wirtz became chairman after Rocky Wirtz died in July 2023.
Picking seats at the United Center
The United Center opened on August 18, 1994, across Madison Street from the site of the old Chicago Stadium. It seats 19,717 for hockey, or about 22,400 with standing room, and the Blackhawks share it with the Chicago Bulls. Seating is arranged in three tiers:
- 100 level (lower bowl): the sections closest to the ice, including the glass seats in the first row, which come with their own menu and in-seat service for Blackhawks games.
- 200 level (club): a shallow middle tier ringed by suites, with club lounge access. The arena has three suite levels.
- 300 level (upper bowl): a large, steep tier that is the least expensive way into the building and gives a full view of the rink.
The strongest all-around view is from the sideline between the blue lines (the two lines that mark each team's defensive zone), either in the middle and upper rows of the 100 level or in the 200-level club. From there you can follow the puck end to end and watch line changes at the benches. Many regulars prefer the end where the Blackhawks shoot twice (the goal they attack in the first and third periods), because the home team's chances come toward them. The bench sides and the shoot-twice end are marked on each event's seating map; confirm before buying.
Glass seats feel fast and physical, but play along the near boards and in the far corners is hard to follow from row 1. Lower-bowl corner sections are a sound compromise on price. In the 300 level, the first rows along the sideline usually see more than the back of the 100-level end zones and cost less; the top rows of the corners are the seats to skip if your budget allows anything better.
The season and the games that sell first
NHL preseason games begin in late September. The 82-game regular season, with 41 home dates, runs from October to mid-April, and the playoffs fill late April through June.
At the United Center, demand follows a few clear drivers:
- Original Six and rival opponents: Detroit and St. Louis draw the loudest crowds and the most road fans, and the Blues are close enough for a weekend drive.
- Weekends and holidays: Saturday and Sunday games, the stretch around Thanksgiving, and the holiday weeks of late December sell first.
- Star visitors: teams built around a league scoring leader bring curious neutral fans.
- Special events: outdoor games, such as the Winter Classic at Wrigley Field, are sold separately from the regular home schedule and command their own demand.
Midweek games against Western Conference teams outside the division, especially in January and February, tend to offer the widest choice of seats. Because the 300 level is large, it rarely sells out early except for rivals and the postseason.
CTA, parking and arena rules
The United Center sits at 1901 West Madison Street, about two miles west of the Loop. Public transit is usually the easiest option:
- Bus: CTA route 20 Madison stops at the arena, and the 19 United Center Express runs after events to Union Station, downtown and Michigan Avenue.
- Train: the nearest rail stops are Damen on the Green Line and Ashland on the Green and Pink Lines; the Blue Line's Illinois Medical District station is a few blocks north.
- Rideshare: the Uber Zone in Lot E, at Madison and Wood streets, operates from two hours before an event to one hour after.
For drivers, the arena operates lettered surface lots around the building, with ADA parking in Lot C. Lots open 2.5 hours before an event, and the arena advertises a discount for parking bought in advance.
As of the 2025–26 season, the arena's guest rules state that:
- Bags: a small purse or personal bag up to about 10 by 6 by 2 inches is allowed, and backpacks are prohibited. Paid bag storage is available near the Uber Zone.
- Payment: the building is cashless.
- Gates and re-entry: gates generally open 90 minutes before games, and re-entry is not allowed.
- Small children: children under 36 inches tall do not need a ticket for Blackhawks games if they sit on an adult's lap.
Rules change, so check the United Center FAQ before you go.
The anthem roar and the Madhouse on Madison
The best-known Blackhawks tradition starts before the opening faceoff. Fans cheer, loudly and continuously, through the singing of the national anthem, a custom that took hold during the 1985 playoffs against Edmonton. Arrive early enough to be in your seat for it.
The building carries the nickname of the old Chicago Stadium, the Madhouse on Madison, and the arena honors Blackhawks greats with bronze statues of Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita, installed during the 2011–12 season. The team also plays big outdoor games: Wrigley Field hosted the Winter Classic in 2009 and again on December 31, 2024, and Soldier Field hosted a 2014 Stadium Series game the Blackhawks won 5–1 before 62,921 fans. Every GoodSeats order, including outdoor games, is backed by a 100% guarantee.
Highlights from a century of Blackhawks hockey
- 1934 and 1938: the first two Stanley Cups, won in the franchise's first dozen years.
- 1961: a third Cup, which became the last for 49 years.
- 1994: the move from Chicago Stadium, which opened in 1929, to the United Center.
- 2009: the first NHL Winter Classic in Chicago, against Detroit at Wrigley Field.
- 2010, 2013 and 2015: three championships in six seasons, the most successful stretch in franchise history.
- 2024: the Winter Classic returned to Wrigley Field, where St. Louis won 6–2 before 40,933 fans.
The Blackhawks' official site lists the current schedule and roster.
Frequently asked questions
Where do the Chicago Blackhawks play?
The Blackhawks play at the United Center, 1901 West Madison Street on Chicago's Near West Side. The arena opened in 1994, seats 19,717 for hockey, and is shared with the Chicago Bulls.
How many Stanley Cups have the Blackhawks won?
Six: 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015.
What is the best way to get to a Blackhawks game?
CTA bus 20 Madison stops at the arena, and the Green Line Damen and Green and Pink Line Ashland stations are a short walk away. After games, the 19 United Center Express bus runs back downtown.
Why do Blackhawks fans cheer during the national anthem?
The custom began during the 1985 playoffs against Edmonton and has been part of every home game since. Fans cheer throughout the anthem rather than waiting for it to end.
What is the bag policy at the United Center?
As of the 2025–26 season, the arena allows a small purse or bag up to about 10 by 6 by 2 inches and prohibits backpacks. Check the United Center's current policy before you go.
Are the Blackhawks an Original Six team?
Yes. Founded in 1926, the Blackhawks are one of the six franchises that made up the NHL from 1942 until the 1967 expansion.