Chicago Bulls
United Center, Chicago, IL
- Capacity
- 20,917
- Roof
- Indoor
- Surface
- Hardwood (Maple)
- Opened
- 1994
- Tickets
- $30+
- Parking
- $15+
- Beer
- $12.5+
- Food
- $9+
- Est. total
- $66.5+
Against the other 29 NBA arenas, United Center is the joint 22nd cheapest game day: 24th for tickets, joint 14th for parking and joint 24th for food and drink, compared on market ticket medians and published lot and menu prices in US dollars. See the full ranking.
Prices are estimates. See our methodology.
What to Expect
The United Center sits on the Near West Side of Chicago, about 2 miles west of the Loop. It's the house that Jordan built, the iconic Michael Jordan statue stands outside the main entrance. The arena is surrounded by surface parking lots, giving it a more suburban feel than downtown Chicago arenas. The pregame scene revolves around nearby bars, the West Loop restaurant scene, and the parking lot tailgate culture. Plan to arrive 60-90 minutes early. The atmosphere for Bulls games carries the weight of the franchise's legendary history.
View Seating GuideTips & Fan Reports
Get there 30 minutes to an hour early so you can walk around and check out the Jordan statue outside. There is a lot of cool memorabilia inside the United Center too. Don't skip the pregame experience.
First few rows of the 200 section are even better than 100 level since you are slightly elevated above them. Sit facing the Bulls logo for the exact broadcast view you see on TV. Way cheaper too.
Leave large bags at home. Only small clutches or wallets are permitted at the United Center. They are strict about it and you do not want to walk back to your car in the cold.
Three rail stops on four lines are in range: Damen on the Green, Ashland/Lake on the Green and Pink, Illinois Medical District on the Blue.
Lots open two and a half hours before the event and there is no in-and-out.
Club seat members can be inside two hours early via Gate 7, which is the only published early-entry route.
Only a 200-Level club seat opens the Lexus Club Level. No other ticket, at any price, admits you.
The BMO Club and the Michelob Ultra Theater Boxes are on the Club Suite Level — BMO at the west end, the boxes on the east.
From the Damen stop it is two blocks south and one block east — the shortest rail walk.
No tailgating policy is published for the lots, and there is no designated tailgate area.
Know Before You Go
Essential details checked against official venue information.
- Bag policy
A small purse or personal bag up to 10 x 6 x 2 inches is permitted; backpacks and other bags are not.
Applies to: Chicago Bulls games
- Required medical equipment and qualifying medical bags are exceptions after screening.
- Gate opening
Doors for Bulls games normally open 90 minutes before the event start time.
Applies to: Chicago Bulls games
- Check the event page for the specific opening time.
- Venue payments
Food, beverage, and merchandise purchases are cashless; accepted methods include credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
Applies to: Chicago Bulls games
- Re-entry
Re-entry is prohibited during all United Center events.
Applies to: Chicago Bulls games
Guides for United Center
- Game Day Guide
7 steps from arrival to tip-off, and 21 venue rules checked against official sources.
- Parking Guide
2 lots and garages with distances and entry routes, from $15.
- Pregame Guide
3 bars, patios and plazas near United Center to fill the hours before doors.
- Food & Drinks
24 concession stands and 59 items researched from the venue's own menus, cheapest food $9 and drink $6.
- Seating Guide
7 seating areas at United Center, with the level names printed on the ticket.
- Getting There
Driving routes plus every car-free way in — the cheapest is CTA #20 Madison Bus, $2.25.
- Cost Calculator
Build a total for your own party using United Center's stored figures.
How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Venue facts
Wikipedia / Official Venue Page
- Parking prices
United Center official rate, stated twice independently: arenacapacity ('official United Center parking costs $24 prepaid through the venue website') and prked ('general parking in official lots is around $24 for regular-season games'). Stored figure matches. West Loop garage figure not re-checked.
- Food prices
United Center 2026: Italian beef, Chicago-style hot dog and Polish sausage all $8.75-$9.50, among the cheapest items in the building
- Drink prices
United Center 2026: domestic draft $12.49 at Bulls games against $12 at Blackhawks games; premium draft runs higher
- Venue policies
Current United Center FAQ, accessibility, parking, and ticketing guidance reviewed for Chicago Bulls game-day policies.
Not yet checked against a published source
These figures are estimates. Most venues no longer publish the numbers behind them — concession and ticket pricing moved to dynamic marketplaces — so we hold them as estimates rather than dating them as verified.
- Ticket prices — Secondary market averages (SeatGeek/StubHub)
Chicago Bulls Fan Gear
Jerseys, hats, and licensed Chicago Bulls gear, delivered before game day.
Shop on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. It never affects our prices or rankings. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.