United Center Pregame Guide
Chicago Blackhawks · Chicago, IL
Arriving for a Blackhawks game at 1901 W. Madison Street, the rule that will actually change what you carry is the bag ban: the United Center permits no bags at all, including purses, small clutches and handheld wallets, with exceptions only for medically-required bags and for diaper bags up to 14 by 14 by 6 when an infant is present. The arena publishes no tailgating policy for its lots, and Lots C and K are club seat member parking. If you hold a club seat, Gate 7 gets you in before the general gates and the Stadium Club on the Lexus Club Level opens two hours before puck drop.
Tips & Fan Reports
Club seat members can be inside two hours early via Gate 7, which is the only published early-entry route.
The bag policy is a total ban — not a size limit. Purses, small clutches and even handheld wallets are all refused, with exceptions only for medical bags and for diaper bags when an infant is present.
No tailgating policy is published for the lots, and there is no designated tailgate area.
Coming off I-90, the Madison Street exit and a right turn is the arena's own directions.
Where to Go Before the Game
1901 W. Madison Street
The arena's address and the road everything routes off: from I-90 the approach is east to the Madison Street exit, then right onto Madison.
Known for Arena address · Madison Street exit off I-90
Lots C and K
The parking lots serving club seat members, named on the arena's own suite and parking maps. Premium seating includes reserved parking as part of the package.
Known for Club seat parking · Reserved
Gate 7 and the Stadium Club
The Stadium Club on the Lexus Club Level opens two hours before every Bulls or Blackhawks game, and club seat members arriving before the general gates open get in through Gate 7.
Known for Opens 2 hours before · Early entry via Gate 7 · Club level
Rules to Know
What United Center allows, and what it does not.
- The United Center is at 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612. From I-90, take I-90 East to the Madison Street exit and turn right onto Madison Street.
- Parking for club seat members is in Lots C and K, and premium seating includes reserved parking.
- The Stadium Club on the Lexus Club Level opens two hours prior to the start of each Blackhawks or Bulls game.
- Club seat members arriving before the gates open can access the Stadium Club through Gate 7.
- No bags are allowed, including purses, small clutches and handheld wallets. Limited exceptions apply for medically-required bags and for diaper bags no larger than 14x14x6 when an infant is present.
- Under the Chicago Clean Indoor Act of 2005, smoking of any kind is prohibited anywhere in the United Center.
- The arena publishes no tailgating policy for its parking lots.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
A small purse or personal bag up to 10 x 6 x 2 inches is permitted; backpacks and other bags are not.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Outside food and beverages are not permitted inside United Center.
- A card or a phone wallet
Food, beverage, and merchandise purchases are cashless; accepted methods include credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
Mobile tickets are required for Blackhawks entry; printed PDFs and screenshots are not accepted.
- A coat for the walk in
January lows average 19°F between the lot and the door at United Center.
- A poncho for the walk in, not an umbrella
Umbrellas are on United Center's prohibited list, and April averages 3.6 inches of rain.
Chicago Blackhawks Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official Chicago Blackhawks gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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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.
- Pregame
United Center official site: Directions & Parking, Frequently Asked Questions, and Venue Information
- Venue policies
Current United Center FAQ, accessibility, and parking pages plus the Blackhawks mobile-ticket guide reviewed for Chicago Blackhawks game-day policies.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals