If you’ve ever wanted to take a picture next to Michael Jordan and Stan Mikita, then United Center is a must-visit place for you. With statues of the greatest NBA player of all time and one of the biggest hockey icons ever, United Center is not only the pride of Madison Street but also one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world.
From Michael Jordan to Derrick Rose, the United Center has witnessed some of the most incredible sporting events and NBA history. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know everything there is to know about the House that Jordan Built.
Chicago Bulls: The Greatest Dynasty In NBA History
We’re not overreacting when we say that basketball is more than just a game, and what’s made it so special is the legendary players that have set foot on the hardwood. Without them, the National Basketball Association would’ve never achieved the worldwide success it’s found, and the tournament wouldn’t be nearly half as exciting as it’s been since the very first day. And the best part is that there’s no shortage of talent and we’re seeing better players make the league as the years go by.
Throughout history, we’ve heard multiple stories about Wilt Chamberlain, George Mikan, Bill Russell, and Julius Erving. Then, we saw Kobe Bryant and LeBron James blossom into superstars of their own, while Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant also took the league by storm at some point. But none of those have been as important for the National Basketball Association as Michael Jordan and the almighty Chicago Bulls. The dynasty coached by Phil Jackson and ended by Jerry Reinsdorf and Jerry Krause turned Illinois into the mecca of basketball.
They’re perhaps the most iconic team not only to ever play in the NBA but also in sports history overall, and the energy that rose in every arena or stadium they played in is proof of that, with fans from all over the world traveling just to see them. The Bulls dominated the league like no other NBA team. Even if Russell’s Celtics won more titles, no team was as intimidating and competitive as the Bulls were.
They won three straight NBA championships twice, lifting six championship banners in an 8-year span. Some claim that they would’ve won eight or even nine straight rings if it wasn’t for Jordan’s brief retirement and for the way the front office broke the team after their second three-pear, and I won’t be the one to disagree with that statement. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman are still considered the greatest trio in the history of the league, as they proved by going 3-0 in the NBA Finals and dominating all teams in the west even though the locker room dynamics weren’t always the best.
Up to this day, there’s not a Bulls game where Michael Jordan’s name isn’t mentioned, and there’s no wonder why this arena will always go down as The House that Jordan Built and all major sporting events will always be compared to what he was able to accomplish. With him in command, they won all of the Bulls NBA championships up to date.
The Bulls haven’t been able to dominate the NBA ever since. Derrick Rose looked poised to take the East Side by storm again before suffering a career-altering injury, and they’ve struggled to replicate that success ever since. Jimmy Butler, Loul Deng, and Joakim Noah also tried to carry the team to the peak of the NBA world but to no avail, mostly because of LeBron James’ dominance over the past decade or so.
Now, Arturas Karnisovas is trying to bring the NBA Finals back to this arena for the first time since 1998, putting together a competitive squad featuring Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Alex Caruso. Hopefully, they’ll be able to end up on top of the East again and make Michael Jordan proud, as basketball is more than just a game in Chicago and Windy City fans have waited long enough to reach the ultimate stage in sports again.
Where did the Bulls play before United Center?
The Chicago Bulls weren’t exactly popular back in the day. They entered the league in 1966 and played at the International Amphitheatre for a year. Then, they moved to the Chicago Stadium from 1967 to 1994 before eventually moving to the United Center.
When did the Chicago Bulls get a new stadium?
The Chicago Bulls moved to their new arena in 1994 and have played there ever since. This stadium is also home to the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL, as well as many other non-sports-related events. It’s hosted the Stanley Cup three times and seen how the Blackhawks have won 2 Stanley Cup titles. Nonetheless, the most iconic part of this arena is right there in the rafters, with all the Chicago Bulls’ retired numbers that decorate Chicago’s finest building.
How much is parking at United Center?
Official lots at the United Center start around $24 for most events. However, non-official parking lots near the arena can be more expensive, starting at around $39.
Is the United Center the largest arena?
Yes, as a matter of fact, the United Center has been the largest arena in the United States since its ribbon-cutting ceremony in August 1994. It has a massive field size of 960,000 sq ft (89,000 m2).
Why was the United Center built?
The Chicago Bulls weren’t always the successful team they were during the late 80s and 90s. Neither Jerry Sloan, Bob Love nor Artis Gilmore could single-handedly lead this team to contention, and every Bulls game had plenty of empty seats during their days at the International Amphitheatre or the Chicago Stadium. Until Michael Jordan came into the picture.
Taking Michael Jordan was one of the most relevant events in the history of the league and his presence immediately draw plenty of people to the aging Chicago stadium. Even if the team wasn’t good enough and even though they were struggling to compete, he still brought a lot of people to the arena.
That’s why the team and the city had to replace the old Chicago Stadium with a more modern place: the United Center, with a field size of 960,000 square feet located at 1901 West Madison Street with a seating capacity of 20,917 for basketball games.
In reality, the Chicago Bulls had become the greatest sensation in the East Side — and maybe the world. They needed a new arena, as any stadium in the world wasn’t enough to contain the thousands of fans trying to get a glimpse of Michael Jordan’s team. Every Bulls game topped all events in town, thus they needed a new building to accommodate their supporters and an arena that better suited their new status.
What happened to the old Chicago Stadium?
The old Chicago Stadium was demolished to build the United Center. Surprisingly, the construction only cost $175 million, which would translate to $306 million in today’s money.
The pride of Madison Street opened August 18, 1994, with WWF SummerSlam as the first event. Now, it’s perhaps the most iconic NBA stadium in the world, unless you’re a Detroit Pistons fan, for sure.
The United Center has a seating capacity of 23,500 people for concerts; 20,917 for an NBA game (With standing room to at least 23,129 fans); and 19,717 for hockey games (with standing room to at least 22,428 fans).
Besides hosting the Democratic National Convention, United Center hosts multiple events and concerts. The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Iron Maiden, Sir Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N’ Roses, and Jay-Z; are some of the countless artists that have graced this place with their presence. Also, United Center’s acoustics were designed to amplify the fans’ noise, so watching a concert there is a completely different experience.
Who owns United Center?
Both the Bulls and Blackhawks own the United Center through a 50/50 partnership called the United Center Joint Venture (UCJV).
Can Bulls and Blackhawks play on the same day?
While not usual, it’s possible for the Bulls and Blackhawks to play on the very same day. As a matter of fact, the hardwood is located on top of the ice, and the flooring is assembled like a puzzle for easy removal when there’s an NHL event or a Blackhawks game. Also, it’s not unusual to see Blackhawks players in a Bulls game or Bulls players in a Blackhawks game, so they truly are like a family.
While Chicago Bulls games are often more popular in the city, it’s worth saying that the Chicago Blackhawks have actually hosted the Stanley Cup three times, winning 2 Stanley Cups thus far, being one of the best teams in hockey in recent times. This floor has also been home to six NBA Finals, as you may know by now.
