United Center: Guide for Visiting Fans

The most direct route from downtown is the CTA #20 Madison bus, which runs straight from Madison & Clinton in the Loop to a stop right in front of the arena — about a 13-minute ride. Fare is $2.50 with a Ventra card. If you're coming via the 'L', Blue Line trains heading west marked "Forest Park" stop at Illinois Medical District, and you can also take the Pink or Green Lines to Ashland. From the Illinois Medical District platform, follow signs to the Damen Avenue exit, turn right, cross over I-290, and the United Center is four blocks north at Damen and Madison. The walk is about 10–12 minutes and completely doable.

From O'Hare International Airport (ORD), take the CTA Blue Line toward Forest Park and ride it roughly 45–50 minutes to Illinois Medical District — no transfers needed, about $5 with a Ventra card. From Midway Airport (MDW), take the Orange Line to the Loop and transfer to the Blue Line, adding about 20 minutes to the trip.

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft have designated pickup and drop-off zones on the west side of the arena near Gate 6. Drop-off is smooth on the way in; pickup is another story (see the egress section).

The United Center has long been surrounded by surface parking lots. They're official lots run by the arena, and on a normal night there's usually enough space — prices typically range from $25 to $40 depending on the event and proximity to the entrance, and lots open about two to three hours before events start.

The lots closest to the main entrances on the east side fill up earliest and command premium prices. If you arrive an hour before tip-off you can generally still find a spot further west for the lower end of that range. Street parking exists in the surrounding neighborhoods but enforcement is real and the blocks immediately around the arena are permit-only on game nights — don't gamble on it. The Billy Goat Tavern on Madison has its own parking lot , which can double as a pre-game stop if you time it right.

The arena sits on the Near West Side, which means the hotels directly adjacent are limited. Your best bet is to stay in the West Loop — roughly a 15–20 minute walk or a 5-minute Uber. The West Loop has become part of Chicago's elite restaurant scene, anchored by "Restaurant Row" along Randolph Street starting at Ogden Avenue. There are solid mid-range and upscale hotel options here, and you're close to great food before and after the game.

The Loop itself is also a reasonable base — you're on the #20 Madison bus route, which takes you directly to the door, and downtown hotel prices can be more competitive than the tourist-heavy Magnificent Mile. The Illinois Medical District neighborhood directly adjacent to the UC is functional but not exciting — good if you want to stumble home, but the area has limited dining.

Third Rail Chicago — A short walk from the arena, Third Rail is a solid pregame bar with good food, plenty of TVs, and a back patio. It has great TV coverage and Third Rail is the perfect spot to catch a game or hang out on the back patio, with a strong selection of food.

Billy Goat Tavern (Madison location) — This is the real one. An outpost near the United Center, you can order a single, double, or triple patty "Cheezborger" on a kaiser roll, finish it with whatever extras you like at the toppings station, and take advantage of the fully stocked bar — the restaurant even extends its hours on event nights. It's cheap, fast, and deeply Chicago.

Hawkeye's Bar & Grill — A neighborhood dive that doesn't pretend to be anything else. If you're looking for bars near the United Center, Hawkeye's homemade chili is worth trying, and they offer a 25% discount to college students on Thursdays. They carry the largest wine and spirits selection among the nearby bars, and the beer list is solid. They also have free parking.

West Loop / Restaurant Row — If you want a proper dinner, Restaurant Row along Randolph Street is less than a mile from the United Center and features not only trendy and fine-dining establishments but also gastropubs and Chicago staples like Lou Malnati's. Get there early: tables fill on game nights.

Keep this simple: guests can enter with a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2". No backpacks or other large bags are allowed. Don't push your luck with a "small" backpack — security enforces this. Larger purses, tote bags, and backpacks are strictly prohibited.

Doors to United Center typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time. The main atrium entrance on the east side (facing the Jordan statue) is the most convenient and where most fans flow through. If you have upper-deck tickets, the west-side gates can have shorter lines. All guests are required to enter Bulls home games using a mobile ticket — download the Bulls mobile app, as no printouts or screenshots will be accepted.

The United Center has transitioned to a fully cashless arena , so leave the twenties in your hotel room. Cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay all work fine at every stand.

The arena has 8 escalators and 9 elevators , making vertical movement manageable for guests with limited mobility. ADA-accessible seating is available on all levels, including the 100 (main), 200 (club/suite), and 300 (upper) levels, with companion seating alongside. Accessible entrances are located on the east side of the building near the main atrium; guests requiring accessible entry should look for the designated lanes at each gate, which are staffed and typically move quickly.

The arena offers assistive listening devices available at Guest Services locations inside the main gates — bring a valid ID for the loan. Guests with required medical equipment, including bags that exceed the standard size policy, are accommodated with advance notice and upon staff verification at entry. Exceptions for guests with required medical equipment will be provided.

There is no officially designated away section at United Center for NBA games — visiting fans are distributed throughout the building, which is fine because the crowd is rarely hostile. The arena sits west of the Chicago Loop and the bowl is compact enough that sightlines from virtually any section are quite good.

If you want to cluster with other away fans and avoid being the lone dissenter in a Bull-heavy section, aim for the upper 300-level corners (sections 301–308 or 319–325) — ticket prices are lowest there and you'll find a mix of casual fans less invested in chirping you. The lower 100-level sideline sections (around 101–115 on both sides) offer premium sightlines but also the most engaged Bulls fans, so be ready for some good-natured noise. Avoid the sections directly behind the Bulls bench if you want to minimize friction.

Concessions are in line with other NBA venues — a Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef, or Polish sausage runs $8.75–$9.50 , and a domestic draft beer runs $16.50, with premium drafts around $18. Highlights from the concourse include Honey Butter Fried Chicken's OG Sandwich and new Buffalo Ranch Fries at the 100-level, Lillie's Q's Loaded Brisket Fries at the club level, and Little Goat Taqueria's Yucatan Pork Tacos. Outside food is not permitted, so eat before you arrive if you want to save money.

The United Center is, frankly, one of the more comfortable arenas in the NBA to visit as an away fan — not because Bulls supporters aren't passionate, but because the building is big enough that you can spread out and the sightlines are good from almost everywhere. The pregame atmosphere is worth experiencing for its own sake: the arena dims the lights for player introductions and plays Pink Floyd's "On the Run," a tradition going back decades, and it genuinely gives you goosebumps even when you're rooting against them. The concourse on the 300 level has open-air bars with views into the bowl, which are perfect for watching warmups with a beer in hand. One honest note: the concourse on the lower level is noticeably narrow for a building this size — the United Center features a unique look compared to buildings of its era, with narrow concourses adorned with Art Deco signs that harken back to 1930s Chicago. Budget time to move around at halftime.

CTA (Best Option): The #20 Madison bus runs post-game service and generally has additional buses staged on Madison Street after events — this is the fastest escape for most people. Expect a 5–10 minute wait immediately after the final buzzer, then buses run frequently back toward the Loop. The Blue Line at Illinois Medical District is about a 10-12 minute walk; at peak post-game it moves steadily with minimal delay. If you wait 20–25 minutes after the final whistle and grab a last drink, you'll often walk straight onto a bus with no crowd.

Driving: Traffic gets heavy on event days , and the lots directly east of the arena take the longest to clear because everyone is bottlenecking onto Madison Street. The west-side lots empty faster — if you parked there, head south to Harrison Street or north to Chicago Avenue to bypass the Madison gridlock. Realistically, budget 20–30 minutes before you're moving freely.

Rideshare: The designated rideshare zone is on the west side near Gate 6 , but surge pricing hits immediately after the final buzzer. The best move: walk two or three blocks north on Damen Avenue away from the arena crush before requesting your ride — you'll often cut the surge significantly and your driver won't be trapped in the same post-game jam. Wait at least 15–20 minutes after the final whistle before requesting if you don't want to pay double.

One tip that actually works: Take the #20 bus east to the Loop and then grab your rideshare from there. You'll pay Loop-level (i.e., non-surge) pricing for the rest of your journey, and the bus drops you right back in the thick of Chicago's transit grid.

What's the easiest way to get to United Center from downtown Chicago?

Take the CTA #20 Madison bus from Madison & Clinton in the Loop — it runs directly to the arena in about 13 minutes for $2.25.

What bags are allowed at United Center for Bulls games?

Guests can enter with a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2". No backpacks or other large bags are allowed.

How much does parking cost at United Center?

Official parking lots usually range from $25 to $40 depending on the event and how close you park to the entrance. Arrive early for the cheaper spots.

Is United Center cashless?

Yes — the United Center is a fully cashless arena. Cash is not accepted; credit and debit cards and mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted.

When do gates open for Bulls games?

Doors to United Center typically open between 90 minutes to 2 hours before event time.

What are the best seats for away fans? There's no official away section. Upper 300-level corner seats are cheapest and most neutral; lower 100-level sidelines have the best views but the most intense home-crowd energy.

How far is United Center from O'Hare Airport? Take the CTA Blue Line (Forest Park direction) from O'Hare directly to Illinois Medical District — no transfers, roughly 45–50 minutes, about $5.

What's new at United Center for 2025–26?

The arena launched the Banner Level, a reimagined premium seating space set alongside the championship banners, replacing the former Penthouse Suites — with a modern, flexible hospitality approach including social viewing spaces and upscale seating. Construction on the massive 1901 Project — transforming the surrounding sea of parking lots into a mixed-use district — has also officially begun. Expect some access changes around the perimeter over the next few seasons.