Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls Travel Guide: United Center

How to Get There

• Flying In: You have two incredible options. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is a massive global hub for United and American Airlines. Alternatively, Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is slightly closer to downtown and serves as a major hub for Southwest Airlines.

• Airport Transit: Try to avoid renting a car—Chicago traffic is brutal, and parking is expensive. From O'Hare, take the CTA Blue Line train directly downtown in about 45 minutes. From Midway, the CTA Orange Line gets you to the Loop in about 30 minutes. Both cost less than $5.

Where to Stay

The United Center sits in the Near West Side neighborhood. Staying in the adjacent West Loop or Fulton Market district is the elite move. It puts you just a short distance from the arena while placing you squarely in the middle of Chicago's world-famous culinary scene.

Budget/Mid-Range Options

• Hyatt House Chicago / West Loop-Fulton Market: Located right in the West Loop, this extended-stay property offers spacious rooms, a free hot breakfast, and an incredible rooftop deck with skyline views. It typically runs between 12,000 to 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

• The Emily Hotel: Situated in the heart of the Fulton Market District, this boutique hotel features an industrial-chic design, a great coffee shop in the lobby, and a fantastic rooftop bar. It is an excellent moderately priced option for a highly stylish weekend.

Higher-End Options

• The Hoxton, Chicago: This incredibly trendy, upscale boutique hotel in the West Loop features stunning mid-century modern design, an amazing lobby bar, and Cabra, a Peruvian-inspired rooftop restaurant by celebrity chef Stephanie Izard.

• Nobu Hotel Chicago: For ultimate luxury, this stunning Japanese-inspired hotel in the West Loop features minimalist, Zen-like rooms, a spectacular indoor pool, and naturally, a world-class Nobu restaurant on the ground floor.

Nearby Activities

• Fulton Market Dining: You are in one of the best food neighborhoods in America. Spend your weekend eating at legendary spots like Au Cheval (famous for its burger), Girl & The Goat, or grab an incredible Italian beef sandwich at JP Graziano Grocery.

• The Michael Jordan Statue: Located right inside the United Center's massive east atrium. The bronze statue of Jordan flying through the air is an absolute must-see photo op for any sports fan visiting Chicago.

• Millennium Park & The Bean: Take the CTA just a few stops east to the Loop to walk through Millennium Park and see Cloud Gate (The Bean), Chicago's most iconic tourist attraction.

Pregame Food and Drink

• Kaiser Tiger: Located in the West Loop on Randolph Street, this legendary sausage, bacon, and beer bar offers an incredible tap list and fantastic food. Even better, they offer a complimentary shuttle to and from the United Center for all Bulls and Blackhawks games, making it the perfect pregame spot.

• The United Center Atrium: The massive glass atrium on the east side of the arena is essentially an indoor pregame festival. It houses the Madhouse Team Store, a massive bar, food stands, and the Michael Jordan statue, allowing you to soak in the atmosphere while staying warm during the brutal Chicago winter.

• Billy Goat Tavern: There is a location right on Madison Street near the arena. It is a famous, no-frills Chicago staple where you can grab a quick, legendary "Cheezborger" and a beer before walking to the gates.

Getting to the Event

• CTA Buses: The Chicago Transit Authority runs the #19 United Center Express bus specifically on game days, offering direct service from downtown straight to the arena doors. Alternatively, the #20 Madison bus drops you right in front of the stadium.

• CTA Trains: The arena is accessible via a short walk from several train lines. You can take the Green or Pink Line to the Ashland/Lake station, or take the Blue Line to the Illinois Medical District station. Both are just a few blocks from the gates.

• Driving: The United Center is surrounded by massive surface parking lots that open 2.5 hours before the game. If you must drive, be absolutely sure to pre-purchase a parking pass via Ticketmaster to secure a spot and receive a discounted rate.

Where to Sit at the United Center

• The Bulls Bench: The home team sits in front of Section 111.

• Away Fans: If you are traveling to support the visiting team, you want to target Section 113, which sits directly behind the visitor's bench.

• The Premium Club Experience: For the ultimate luxury view, look for seats on the Lexus Club Level (the 200-level). These tickets offer fantastic, elevated sightlines, extra legroom, in-seat wait service, and access to exclusive concourses with high-end food and private bars.

• The Lower Bowl Sweet Spot: The United Center is massive. To feel the energy of the crowd while avoiding the premium club prices, look for tickets in the corner sections of the lower bowl, such as Sections 105, 107, 117, or 118.

• The Budget Seats: The 300-level upper deck offers the cheapest tickets. Because the United Center has the largest physical footprint of any arena in the United States, the upper deck is notoriously high and steep. To ensure a good view and avoid feeling disconnected from the action, prioritize rows 1-5 in center-court Sections 301 or 317.