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.
One building, two different best seats
At the United Center, the right seat depends on the sport. For the Chicago Bulls, get as close to center court as you can on the 100 level. For the Chicago Blackhawks, get some height: lower-bowl rows 10 and up, or the 200-level club ring, which sits just high enough to watch plays form. For value at either, the first five or so rows of the 300 level near center are the move.
The arena has been home to both teams since it opened in 1994. It seats 20,917 for basketball and 19,717 for hockey, and standing room lifts both figures past 22,000.
Rows, rings and bench sides
- 100 level: the lower bowl. Most sections have 19 rows, but sections 105–107 and 116–118 add lettered rows A through M in front of row 1, so a row A seat there is closer than it sounds. Seat 1 is on the aisle beside the lower-numbered section.
- 200 level: the club ring, eight rows per section, with in-seat wait service. The center club sections are 201, 202, 233, 234 and 216 through 219, and a club lounge serves sections 221 through 231.
- 300 level: the upper deck, 17 rows per section, plus standing-room spots. This is the loudest part of the building.
Both benches share one sideline for each sport. At Bulls games, the Bulls sit in front of section 102 and the visitors in front of 121. At Blackhawks games, the home bench is in front of 101 and the visitors in front of 122.
Seats to pick for the Bulls
- Center-court 100s: the classic basketball view; demand climbs the closer you get to midcourt.
- Front rows of the center 200 club sections: a full-court look and club service, usually for less than sideline 100s.
- Lower rows of the 300 level at center: the budget pick that still shows the whole floor.
Be careful with seats directly behind the benches. They are close, but standing players and coaches can block the floor at the moments you most want to see.
Seats to pick for the Blackhawks
- 100 level, row 10 and up: high enough to clear the glass and follow the puck along the far boards.
- The 200 club ring: among the best hockey seats in the building, because the angle shows every line change and breakout.
- 100-level corners: a fair compromise between closeness and demand.
The first few rows look great on a map, but the glass and near boards end up between you and much of the play.
Concerts, seats to skip and demand
Most tours use an end stage, which closes or limits the sections behind it. Side 100-level sections near the stage often beat the far end of the floor, which is flat and leaves you looking through the crowd. Configurations change from tour to tour, so check the event map.
Skip these
- Top rows of the 300 level behind the baskets or goals: the longest view in the arena.
- Rows right behind the benches: close but frequently blocked.
- Low glass-side rows for hockey: you see the boards more than the play.
When tickets go fast
Demand rises with the opponent, the night and the stakes. Weekend games and visits from marquee clubs or old rivals outdraw a midwinter weeknight, and playoff games jump once a series is set. For concert runs, the first date announced usually sells hardest, and added dates often have more inventory, especially upstairs. With two tenants, the building has dozens of home dates each winter, and a midweek game is the simplest way into better seats.
Arrival, bags and paying inside
The arena is west of the Loop on Madison Street. The CTA's #20 Madison bus passes the door, and in past seasons the CTA has added #19 United Center Express buses from downtown on event nights. By train, 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 event service with the CTA before you leave. Parking surrounds the building, with rates and prepay options varying by event, and rideshare uses the Uber Zone near Madison and Wood; walk a few blocks away after a sellout for a shorter wait.
For the 2025–26 season, the bag rule is tight: a small purse or personal bag up to 10 by 6 by 2 inches, and no backpacks or other bags. Binbox lockers in the Uber Zone hold anything bigger. Food, drink and merchandise are cashless, and Bulls tickets are mobile only in the team app, with no screenshots or printouts. Policies are set by season and may differ for concerts; read the Bulls health and safety page or your event listing before you go. Every Reserved Seat order carries a 100% guarantee.
Owners, landmarks and the 1901 Project
The United Center opened on August 18, 1994, at a cost of about 175 million dollars. A joint venture split evenly between the Bulls and Blackhawks owns it, with the Reinsdorf and Wirtz families as the principal owners. It has hosted NCAA tournament games, the Frozen Four, and the Democratic National Convention in 1996 and again in 2024. Concerts can hold about 23,500 depending on the stage.
A 190,000-square-foot atrium opened in 2017, and the Michael Jordan statue, frozen mid-flight, moved inside it that year. Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita have statues at the arena as well, and a Mitsubishi Electric center-hung scoreboard arrived in 2019. In 2024 the owners announced the 1901 Project, a mixed-use plan for the surrounding land that could include housing and a new CTA Pink Line station; projects of that scale change, so do not plan a trip around it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at the United Center for a Blackhawks game?
Lower-bowl seats in row 10 or higher, or the 200-level club sections, which sit high enough to follow plays across the ice.
How many rows are in each United Center section?
Most 100-level sections have 19 rows, with lettered rows A through M added in front of row 1 in sections 105–107 and 116–118. The 200 level has 8 rows and the 300 level 17.
Which side are the Bulls and visitors benches on?
Both are on the same sideline: the Bulls in front of section 102 and the visitors in front of 121.
Can you bring a backpack to the United Center?
No. For the 2025–26 season only a small purse or personal bag up to 10 by 6 by 2 inches is allowed. Lockers are available near Madison and Wood streets.
Does the United Center take cash?
No. Food, drink and merchandise sales are cashless.
How do you reach the United Center by train?
Take the Green or Pink line to Ashland/Lake, or the Blue Line to Illinois Medical District, and walk a few blocks. The #20 Madison bus stops at the arena.