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United Center

Chicago · Home of 🏒 Chicago Blackhawks & 🏀 Chicago Bulls

⚡ Quick answers

Who plays at United Center?
United Center in Chicago is home to the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) and the Chicago Bulls (NBA).
What is the closest airport to United Center?
Chicago Midway (MDW) is the closest major airport, about 10 miles (16 km) from United Center — roughly 14 min by car depending on traffic.
How much is parking at United Center?
Game-day parking starts around $22 USD. There is effectively no usable free parking near the United Center on game nights — the handful of open curb spots on Wood, Adams, Jackson, Monroe, and Leavitt streets fi…
How much is a beer at United Center?
A standard beer (16 oz) is about $15.75 USD at regular stands, 2024-25. A regular hot dog is about $7.00 USD (estimate). Prices vary by stand and size and may change.
How do you get to United Center without a car?
CTA Bus #19 'United Center Express' runs dedicated express service before/after every United Center event (game/concert), with extra buses added about an hour before and after; it stops near Ogilvie, Union Station, all major CTA rail lines,…
Where are the best seats at United Center?
Lower bowl (100s) for the roar under the banners; the 300-level is very high (big building) but cheap. Center-line 100s are the sweet spot. The Jordan statue in the atrium is the photo stop.
What is the bag policy at United Center?
Only a small purse or personal bag up to 10×6×2 in.; no backpacks. No outside food or drinks of any kind. No outside drinks, including water bottles.
Is United Center wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair seats with companion seats are on all levels and at every price, and can be bought by phone. About 100 disabled parking spaces are in Lot G (G South) off Damen Ave, first-come, first-served. Guest Relations booths at Gates 2 and 6 can arrange wheelchair escorts and lend assistive listening headsets.
Compare beer & food prices at every arena →

✈️🚗 Getting to United Center

Nearest major airport: Chicago Midway (MDW) — about 10 mi / 14 min away.

🚗 Rent a car at MDW

🏟️ Fan guide

Best seats

Lower bowl (100s) for the roar under the banners; the 300-level is very high (big building) but cheap. Center-line 100s are the sweet spot. The Jordan statue in the atrium is the photo stop.

Parking

Large stadium lots (A–F) around the arena; the Near West Side is thin, so most drive or rideshare. Green/Pink line + a walk works. ($30–50 (arena lots) USD)

Getting there

No rail at the door — CTA Green/Pink to Ashland + a 10-min walk, or rideshare. Most drive.

Bar scene

The immediate blocks are limited, but the West Loop / Fulton Market — one of the best food-and-bar districts in the country — is a 5-min ride east.

Pre-game bars

  • West End Bar & Grill — Reliable pre-game sports bar on Madison.
  • Fulton Market (West Loop) — Short ride to top-tier bars & restaurants.

Concession prices (USD, approx)

  • Standard beer (16 oz), 2024-25$15.75
  • Hot dog (estimate)$7.00
  • Chicago dog$7
  • Italian beef$13

Prices vary by stand and size and may change.

Insider tips

  • Rideshare or drive — transit isn't at the door
  • Hit the West Loop pre/post-game

♿ Accessibility at United Center

Wheelchair seats with companion seats are on all levels and at every price, and can be bought by phone. About 100 disabled parking spaces are in Lot G (G South) off Damen Ave, first-come, first-served. Guest Relations booths at Gates 2 and 6 can arrange wheelchair escorts and lend assistive listening headsets.

Sensory-friendly
KultureCity certified since 2019: sensory bags at Guest Relations, and a sensory room opened on request at the Gate 2 Guest Relations booth.
Hearing
Free assistive listening headsets at Guest Relations booths. No captioning info listed.
ASL interpreters
Free with 1–2 weeks' notice (from older official info).
📞 312-455-4509Official accessibility guide ↗

🎒 Can I bring it? Bag & food policy

Bags
Only a small purse or personal bag up to 10×6×2 in.; no backpacks.
Bag check
Binbox lockers and bag check in the Uber Zone near Madison St & Wood St are the only option (price not listed); staff won't hold items.
Outside food
No outside food or drinks of any kind.
Water bottles
No outside drinks, including water bottles.

Not allowed & exceptions

  • Backpacks
  • Umbrellas
  • Detachable-lens cameras
  • Selfie sticks
  • Laptops

⚠️ Check before you go: Not re-checked this season: the arena's own accessibility page couldn't be re-verified, and published phone numbers differ (312-455-4509, 312-455-4500). Older info said a sealed water bottle might be allowed; the Bulls' 2025-26 page bans all outside drinks, so we show that. Confirm before you go.

From the venue's official guest guide, checked 2026-10. Rules can change by event. Official policy ↗

🧳 Visiting United Center as an away fan

The next visiting teams, and the airport you'd fly into: Chicago Midway (MDW) (MDW). Each link has that team's full road-trip guide.

🎟️ Tickets & more

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See upcoming games →More in Chicago →← All arenas

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