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Revision as of 22:42, 9 November 2009 by 71.57.3.106 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) For the Ukrainian political party, see United Centre.| "The Madhouse on Madison II","The UC", "The House That Jordan Built" | |
File:UCLogo.png | |
| Location | 1901 W. Madison St, Chicago, Illinois 60612 |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°52′50″N 87°40′27″W / 41.88056°N 87.67417°W / 41.88056; -87.67417 |
| Owner | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Operator | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Capacity | Concerts: 23,500 Basketball: 21,500 Hockey: 20,500 |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | April, 1992 |
| Opened | August 18, 1994 |
| Construction cost | $175 million |
| Architect | Populous W.E. Simpson Company |
| Tenants | |
| Chicago Bulls (NBA) (1998-present) Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) (1994-present) | |
The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side community area of Chicago. It is named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League and the Chicago Bulls of the National Basketball Association. It has also hosted the annual Lexus December to Remember classic, which is a game played by the Illinois Fighting Illini at the United Center, whereas their usual home is Assembly Hall in Champaign, IL. The plan to build the arena was created by Bill Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf, the owners of the two sports teams, respectively. The United Center's predecessor was the indoor Chicago Stadium, the original "Madhouse on Madison", which was demolished after the newer arena opened for business on August 18, 1994. A statue of Michael Jordan is located on the east side of the arena. United Airlines pays about $1.8 million per year until 2014 for its naming rights.
Arena information
The United Center, which is currently owned by Rocky Wirtz and Reinsdorf, covers 960,000 square feet (89,187 m²) and is located on a 46-acre (19 ha) parcel, west of the Chicago Loop. The arena claims to be the largest in the United States in physical size, though not in capacity. Its exterior bears a striking resemblance to that of Chicago Stadium. It seats 19,717 (not including standing room) for hockey, 20,917 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts. The United Center hosts over 200 events per year and has drawn over 20 million visitors since its opening. It is known for routinely meeting or exceeding seating capacity for Bulls and, as of 2008, Blackhawks games.
United Center's acoustics were designed to amplify the noise level in order to recreate "The Roar" – the din of noise that made Chicago Stadium famous, especially during hockey games. During hockey season, an Allen Organ that is a replica of the old arena's famous Barton organ is used; recreating the old organ's notes took two years.
Events
In addition to more than 80 Bulls/Blackhawks games each year, the United Center has hosted other sporting events such as University of Illinois basketball, the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament, the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament (hosted seven times, including 2007), the Roundball Classic, and the Great Eight Classic. Musical acts appearing at the United Center have included U2, Roger Waters, Mariah Carey, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, AC/DC, Madonna, Shania Twain, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, The Who, Barbra Streisand, Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Green Day, Coldplay, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Nickelback, Kanye West, Van Halen, Beyoncé, Shakira, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion, Rush, the Eagles, and many other well-known performers.
The arena was the Bulls' home during their second run of three consecutive championships, hosting the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NBA Finals. The Bulls won the 1996 and 1997 series in the sixth game at home, but won the 1998 series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
U2 filmed a concert at the United Center during the American Leg of their Vertigo Tour for the concert film Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. Dave Matthews Band released Live in Chicago 12.19.98 recorded at the United Center as live album, and a bootleg video of the webcast of the performance is widely in circulation among DMB fans. The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Disney on Ice.
The United Center was also the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
References
External links
Media related to United Center at Wikimedia Commons
- Basketball venues in Illinois
- Buildings and structures in Chicago, Illinois
- Chicago Blackhawks arenas
- Chicago Bulls arenas
- 1994 establishments
- College basketball venues
- Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States
- National Hockey League venues
- National Basketball Association venues
- Sports venues in Chicago, Illinois
- Music venues in Chicago, Illinois