Looking for section numbers and the best seats by level? See the United Center Seating Chart.
Upcoming events at United Center
Dates and live ticket listings appear here as soon as they are on sale. The guide below covers what to know before you buy.
Chicago's home for the Bulls, Blackhawks and arena tours
The United Center is the indoor arena at 1901 West Madison Street on Chicago's Near West Side, home of the NBA's Chicago Bulls and the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks since it opened on August 18, 1994. It seats 20,917 for basketball and 19,717 for hockey, with standing room pushing those figures above 22,000. Concert capacity reaches about 23,500 depending on the stage.
The building is owned by a joint venture split evenly between the two teams, whose principal owners are the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families. Beyond the two home teams, it books major touring concerts, NCAA tournament games and the Frozen Four, and it hosted the Democratic National Convention in both 1996 and 2024.
Hockey and basketball seasons overlap from October through April, so on many weeks the floor converts between ice and hardwood. Playoff runs extend either season into the spring.
The three levels of the seating bowl
The arena is a conventional three-level bowl, which makes it easier to read than older buildings:
- 100 level is the lower bowl wrapping the floor. Most sections run 19 rows, while sections 105 to 107 and 116 to 118 add lettered rows A through M in front of row 1. Seat 1 sits on the aisle next to the lower-numbered section.
- 200 level is the club level, a ring of short sections with eight rows each and in-seat wait service. Sections 201, 202, 233, 234 and 216 to 219 are the center club sections. A club lounge serves the area around sections 221 to 231.
- 300 level is the upper deck, with 17 rows per section and standing-room areas. It is where the arena's "Madhouse on Madison" nickname feels most earned.
For basketball, both benches sit along the same sideline: the Bulls bench is in front of section 102 and the visitors' bench in front of section 121. For hockey, the Blackhawks bench is in front of section 101 and the visitors' bench in front of section 122.
Choosing seats for basketball, hockey and concerts
Bulls games
Lower 100-level sideline seats give the classic view, and the closer you get to center court the faster demand rises. Seats directly behind the benches are close, but players and staff standing at the bench can block the floor at key moments. For a full-court view at a lower price than the sideline 100s, look at the first rows of the center 200-level club sections. In the 300 level, the first five or so rows at center court are a solid value; the top rows behind the baskets are the farthest seats in the building.
Blackhawks games
Hockey rewards height. In the lower bowl, rows 10 and higher let you see over the glass and follow plays along the far boards; the first few rows put the glass and the near boards between you and the puck. The 200-level club sections are some of the best hockey seats in the arena because they sit just high enough to read plays develop. Corner seats in the 100 level are a good compromise between price and view.
Concerts
Most arena tours use an end-stage setup, which closes or limits the sections behind the stage. The side 100-level sections nearest the stage are often a better view than the far end of the floor, since floor seats are flat and you look through the crowd. Always check the event-specific map; the configuration changes from tour to tour.
When demand runs highest
Resale prices at the United Center move with the opponent, the night of the week and the stakes. Weekend games and visits from marquee opponents or long-standing rivals draw more buyers than a Tuesday in January. Playoff games sit in a different tier entirely, and prices tend to jump the moment a series is confirmed.
For concerts, the first show announced in a run usually sells hardest; added dates often have more inventory, especially in the 300 level. If your schedule is flexible, compare a few dates side by side before you commit. Because the arena hosts two teams, there are dozens of home dates each winter, and a midweek game is the easiest way to get good seats for less.
Getting to the arena by CTA, car or rideshare
The arena sits west of the Loop on Madison Street. The CTA #20 Madison bus runs directly past it, and the CTA has run #19 United Center Express buses from downtown on event nights in past seasons. The Green and Pink lines stop at Ashland/Lake, a few blocks north, and the Blue Line's Illinois Medical District station is a few blocks south. Confirm current event service with the CTA before you go.
Event parking surrounds the building, and prices and prepay options vary by event. The rideshare area, labeled the Uber Zone, is near Madison and Wood streets. After a sellout, walking a few blocks before calling a car usually shortens the wait.
Bag policy, mobile tickets and cashless entry
The United Center runs one of the stricter bag rules in pro sports. For the 2025 to 2026 season, fans may bring a small purse or personal bag no larger than 10 by 6 by 2 inches; backpacks and other bags are not allowed. Binbox locker rentals in the Uber Zone near Madison and Wood streets hold items that do not meet the limit.
The arena is cashless for food, beverages and merchandise. For Bulls games, entry is by mobile ticket in the team's app, and printouts and screenshots are not accepted. Policies are set per season and can differ for concerts, so review the Bulls arena policy page or the event listing before you leave home.
The atrium, the statues and what is next
A 190,000-square-foot atrium opened in 2017, and the Michael Jordan statue, which captures his mid-air pose, moved inside it that year. Statues of Blackhawks greats Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita also stand at the arena. A center-hung scoreboard by Mitsubishi Electric was installed in 2019.
In 2024 the owners announced the "1901 Project," a large mixed-use development planned for the land around the arena, including housing and the possibility of a new CTA Pink Line station. Plans of that size change, so treat it as a future addition rather than something to plan a visit around.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the United Center?
The United Center seats 20,917 for basketball and 19,717 for hockey, with standing room adding more. Concerts can hold about 23,500 depending on the stage.
What size bag can I bring into the United Center?
For the 2025-26 season, only a small purse or personal bag up to 10 by 6 by 2 inches is allowed, and backpacks are prohibited. Lockers are available near Madison and Wood streets.
Is the United Center cashless?
Yes. Food, beverage and merchandise stands do not accept cash.
What train goes to the United Center?
The Green and Pink lines stop at Ashland/Lake, a few blocks north, and the Blue Line stops at Illinois Medical District, a few blocks south. The #20 Madison bus stops at the arena.
Where are the team benches at the United Center?
For Bulls games, the Bulls bench is in front of section 102 and the visitors' bench is in front of section 121. For Blackhawks games, the benches are in front of sections 101 and 122.
Are 300-level seats at the United Center worth it?
For value, yes, especially the lower rows near center court or center ice. The top rows behind the baskets or goals are the farthest from the action.