United Center
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| United Center | |
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| The UC" | |
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| 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 |
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, the original "Madhouse on Madison", 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]
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[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 (not including standing room) for hockey, 21,711 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts. Additionally, the United Center 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 as 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 run 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 Shania Twain, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Kanye West, Van Halen, Celine Dion, Beyonce, and many other well known performers.
U2 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 herself and her alter ego, Hannah Montana performed there on January 14, 2008 which was sold-out in minutes.
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.
On February 15th, 2008, the Spice Girls performed to a sold out crowd as part of their The Return of the Spice Girls Tour. It was their first performance in Illinois as a five piece.
Tina Turner will perform at The United Center on October 3rd and October 4th, 2008 for her Tina Live In Concert Tour.
Madonna is expected to make a stop at the United Center as part of her Sticky & Sweet Tour on October 26th & 27th of 2008.
[edit] References
- ^ ESPN.com: SPORTSBUSINESS - Stadium naming rights
- ^ United Center information (PDF). Chicago Bulls Media Guide. NBA.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-19.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Chicago Stadium |
Home of the Chicago Blackhawks 1994 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Chicago Stadium |
Home of the Chicago Bulls 1994 – present |
Succeeded by current |
| Preceded by Madison Square Garden |
Host of the Democratic National Convention 1996 |
Succeeded by Staples Center |
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