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Revision as of 21:43, 22 January 2006 by 193.136.122.17 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The United Center is a sports arena in Chicago, Illinois, named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines, located at 1901 W. Madison Street, west of downtown, which is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Chicago Bulls. 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, which was demolished after the United Center opened for business on August 18, 1994.
The privately-owned arena contains 960,000 square feet and is located on a 46 acre parcel west of the Chicago Loop. The arena claims to be the largest in the United States (in physical size, not in capacity; the arena seats 20,500 for hockey, 21,711 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts), and hosts over 200 events per year, drawing over 20 million visitors since its grand opening. In addition to approximately 100 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 six times with a seventh scheduled for 2007), and the Great Eight Classic. Musical acts appearing at the United Center have included The Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, U2, The Who, and The Three Tenors. The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice. It is the place where Michael Jordan wrote most of his memorable moments as basketball player.
The United Center was also the site of the 1996 Democratic National Convention.
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