United Center
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| United Center | |
|---|---|
| The UC | |
| Image:UCLogo.png Image:United Center 060716.jpg | |
| Location | 1901 W. Madison St. Chicago, Illinois 60612 |
| Coordinates | |
| Broke ground | April, 1992 |
| Opened | August 18, 1994 |
| Owner | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Operator | Rocky Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf |
| Construction cost | $175 million |
| Architect | HOK Sport W.E. Simpson Company |
| Tenants | Chicago Bulls (NBA) (1994-present) Chicago Blackhawks (NHL) (1994-present) |
| Capacity | Basketball: 21,711 Hockey: 20,500 Professional wrestling: 23,000+ |
The United Center is an indoor sports arena located in the Near West Side community area of Chicago, Illinois, named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines. The United Center is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA. The plan to build the arena was created by the late 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 newer arena opened for business on August 18, 1994. A statue of Michael Jordan is located on the east side of the arena. United Airlines pays about $1.8 million per year until 2014 for its naming rights.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Arena information
The United Center, which is owned by Rocky Wirtz and Reinsdorf, covers 960,000 square feet (89,187 m²) and is located on a 46-acre (19 ha) parcel, west of the Chicago Loop. The arena claims to be the largest in the United States in physical size, though not in capacity. Its exterior bears a striking resemblance to that of Chicago Stadium. It seats 20,500 for hockey, 22,220 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts. It hosts over 200 events per year and has drawn over 20 million visitors since its opening.
United Center's acoustics were designed to amplify the noise level in order to recreate "The Roar"--the din of noise that made Chicago Stadium famous, especially during hockey games. During hockey season, an Allen Organ that is a replica of the old arena's famous Barton organ is used; recreating the old organ's notes took two years.
Coca-Cola took over pouring rights this season after having Pepsi and the official soft-drink of the Hawks and Bulls. Last year Anheuser-Busch replaced Miller as the official beer sponsor of both teams. Concession of food is ran by Bismarck Enterprises, an entity of the Wirtz family.
[edit] Events
In addition to more than 80 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 seven times, including 2007), the Roundball Classic, and the Great Eight Classic. Musical acts appearing at the United Center have included Shakira, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, David Bowie, Weezer, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rush, The Rolling Stones, Dane Cook, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, U2, Phil Collins, Genesis, The Who, Madonna, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Spice Girls, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, The Three Tenors, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. U2 themselves filmed a concert at the United Center during the American Leg of their Vertigo Tour. The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and Disney on Ice. Also, Miley Cyrus as her and as her alter ego, Hannah Montana are set to perform there on January 14, 2008.
The United Center was also the site of the World Wrestling Federation pay-per-view SummerSlam in 1994 — the first major event held inside the building[2] — and the 1996 Democratic National Convention. It also hosted the last of World Championship Wrestling's annual Spring Stampede pay-per-views in 2000.
[edit] References
- ^ [1]
- ^ United Center information (PDF). Chicago Bulls Media Guide. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Chicago Stadium 1929–1994 | Home of the Chicago Blackhawks 1994–present | Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Chicago Stadium 1967–1994 | Home of the Chicago Bulls 1994–present | Succeeded by current |
Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Franchise • Players • Coaches • GMs • Seasons • Records • Draft picks • United Center • Rockford IceHogs • Toledo Storm |
de:United Center es:United Center fr:United Center it:United Center lt:United Center ja:ユナイテッド・センター pl:United Center pt:United Center uk:Юнайтед-центр zh:联合中心
Categories: Basketball venues in the United States | Buildings and structures in Chicago | Chicago Blackhawks | Chicago Bulls | Sports in Chicago | Political parties established in 1994 | College basketball venues | Indoor arenas in the United States | Indoor ice hockey venues in the United States | National Hockey League venues | National Basketball Association venues | Sports venues in Chicago | Music venues in Chicago | World Wrestling Entertainment venues
