History of United Center in Timeline
The United Center is a large indoor arena located on the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois. It serves as the home for both the Chicago Bulls (NBA) and the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). Sponsored by United Airlines, it boasts the largest seating capacity among NBA arenas and the second-largest in the NHL, accommodating up to 23,500 spectators.
2 hours ago : Two Men Charged in the Murder of Jerry Lewis Near United Center
Nassie Mason and Erving Harris were charged in the shooting death of Jerry Lewis near the United Center. Lewis was reportedly involved in a development project.
1994: Michael Jordan Statue Erected
In 1994, a statue of Michael Jordan was erected outside the United Center.
1994: WWF SummerSlam
In 1994, the United Center hosted WWF SummerSlam, the first major event held inside the building.
1994: United Center Opening
In 1994, the United Center opened, replacing the Chicago Stadium.
1996: Democratic National Convention
In 1996, the United Center hosted the Democratic National Convention.
1996: NBA Finals hosted
In 1996, the United Center hosted the NBA Finals, with the Bulls winning the series in the sixth game at home.
1997: NBA Finals hosted
In 1997, the United Center hosted the NBA Finals, with the Bulls winning the series in the sixth game at home.
1998: Dave Matthews Band: Live in Chicago 12.19.98 at the United Center release
In 1998, Dave Matthews Band performed at the United Center, and a recording of this performance was later released as "Live in Chicago 12.19.98 at the United Center".
1998: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 1998, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
1998: NBA Finals
In 1998, the United Center was the Bulls' home during their second run of three consecutive championships, hosting the NBA Finals. The Bulls won the series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
2000: WCW Spring Stampede
In 2000, the United Center hosted the last of WCW's annual Spring Stampede pay-per-views.
2001: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2001, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
2003: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2003, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
2005: New Jumbotron installed
In 2005, a new Jumbotron was installed featuring larger video screens.
2007: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2007, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
2008: Debut of Harris Club
In 2008, the United Center saw the debut of the Harris Club, a private premium seating area.
2009: Luxury Sky-Boxes Decreased
After the 2009–10 renovation, the number of luxury sky-boxes was decreased to 169 executive suites.
2009: Concourse Renovation
In time for the 2009–10 season, the United Center's 300 level saw its concourse renovated with new televisions and bars.
2010: Addition of Panoramic Bars
During the 2010 off-season, two additional bars with panoramic views of the arena were added.
2010: Stanley Cup Finals
In 2010, the United Center hosted the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup on the ice of their opponent in the sixth game of the series, Philadelphia's Wachovia Center.
May 17, 2011: Oprah The Farewell Season: Oprah's Surprise Spectacular taping
On May 17, 2011, "Oprah The Farewell Season: Oprah's Surprise Spectacular" was taped at the United Center. The program was later aired on television on May 23 and 24, 2011.
2011: United Center's logo change
In the summer of 2011, all the previous United tulip signs at the United Center were replaced with the globe logo to reflect the new identity of the combined airline in time for the 2011–12 NHL and NBA seasons and onwards, nearly a year after the merger and identity change had initially gone into effect by United themselves.
January 28, 2012: UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis
On January 28, 2012, the United Center hosted UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis, the Ultimate Fighting Championship's first nationally televised event at the arena. Rashad Evans defeated Phil Davis by unanimous decision in the headlining fight.
2012: Installation of LED Bar
After the 2012–13 season, a third panoramic LED bar was installed around the 300 level.
2013: Big Ten and NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments, Champions Classic
In 2013, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and the Champions Classic.
2013: Stanley Cup Finals
In 2013, the United Center hosted the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blackhawks clinched the Stanley Cup on the ice of their opponent in the sixth game of the series, Boston's TD Garden.
2014: The Advocate Center Opening
In 2014, The Advocate Center, the Bulls' practice facility, opened a block east of the United Center.
2015: New Court Floor Design
For the Bulls' 2015–16 season, a new court floor design was added with an increased logo size and changes to text and lines.
2015: Big Ten and NCAA Men's Basketball Tournaments, Champions Classic
In 2015, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and the Champions Classic.
2015: Stanley Cup Finals
In 2015, the United Center hosted the Stanley Cup Finals. The Blackhawks won the Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning at home in the sixth game.
October 13, 2016: Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions
On October 13, 2016, the United Center hosted the Kellogg's Tour of Gymnastics Champions.
March 2017: Atrium Addition Opening
In March 2017, the United Center opened a new privately funded "atrium" addition with office space and a gathering place.
2017: University of Wisconsin Badgers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
During the 2017–18 season, the United Center hosted the University of Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish rivalry game.
2017: Atrium Extension Added
In 2017, an atrium extension and event space was added to the United Center, and the Michael Jordan statue was moved inside.
2017: Fifth Third Arena Opening
In 2017, the Blackhawks' practice facility, Fifth Third Arena (formerly MB Ice Arena), opened two blocks south of the United Center.
2017: NCAA Frozen Four
In 2017, the United Center hosted the 2017 NCAA Division I Frozen Four.
2017: Champions Classic
In 2017, the United Center hosted the Champions Classic.
February 2018: Disney on Ice one-week show
Starting February 2018, Disney on Ice performances at the United Center were condensed to a one-week period.
March 3, 2018: WWE Raw
On March 3, 2018, WWE returned to the United Center for the first time in over 20 years with a Raw brand "Road to WrestleMania" house show.
June 9, 2018: UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2
On June 9, 2018, the United Center hosted its first UFC PPV event, UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2.
2018: University of Wisconsin Badgers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
During the 2018–19 season, the United Center hosted the University of Wisconsin Badgers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish rivalry game.
2019: Name change of the Blackhawks practice facility
In 2019, MB Ice Arena changed its name to Fifth Third Arena.
2019: New Jumbotron Installed
In 2019, a new Jumbotron manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric was added to the United Center.
2019: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2019, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
2020: NBA All-Star Game
In 2020, the United Center hosted the NBA All-Star Game.
2020: Municipal Emergency Hub
In 2020, the United Center served as the municipal emergency hub during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 28, 2021: AEW Dynamite: Fight For the Fallen Announcement
On July 28, 2021, during AEW Dynamite, it was announced that AEW would host AEW Rampage at the United Center.
August 20, 2021: AEW Rampage: The First Dance
On August 20, 2021, the United Center hosted AEW Rampage: The First Dance, marking CM Punk's AEW debut and return to professional wrestling.
February 1, 2022: Partnership with FanDuel Group
On February 1, 2022, the United Center and FanDuel Group announced a partnership to develop a sportsbook lounge.
June 2022: Tomlin UNITED tour
In June 2022, the United Center hosted the Tomlin UNITED tour, featuring Hilllsong UNITED, Chris Tomlin, and Pat Barrett, bringing contemporary Christian music to the venue.
June 26, 2022: AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door
On June 26, 2022, AEW held AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door at the United Center in partnership with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW).
2022: NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2022, the United Center hosted the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
June 17, 2023: AEW Collision Premiere
On June 17, 2023, the United Center hosted the premiere of AEW Collision, with the return of CM Punk being a headliner for the event.
July 12, 2023: PepsiCo becomes the official soft drink
On July 12, 2023, PepsiCo and the United Center announced a multi-year partnership, making PepsiCo the official soft drink of the United Center, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks, replacing Coca-Cola.
September 3, 2023: AEW All Out
On September 3, 2023, the United Center hosted the AEW pay-per-view All Out.
2023: Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament
In 2023, the United Center hosted the Big Ten men's basketball tournament.
2023: Lounge Opened
In 2023, the sportsbook lounge opened, with betting contingent on approval.
2023: Highest NBA attendance
In the 2023–24 NBA season, the Bulls drew an average attendance of 20,624 in 41 home games, the highest in the NBA.
October 2, 2024: Frozen Four Announcement
On October 2, 2024, the NCAA announced the Frozen Four would return to the United Center in 2028.
2024: New Court Floor Design
As of the 2024-2025 Bulls season, the current court features sponsor FanDuel.
2024: "1901 Project" Announced
In 2024, plans for a potential $7 billion "mega-development" named the "1901 Project" were announced.
2024: Democratic National Convention
In 2024, the United Center is set to host the Democratic National Convention.
July 27, 2025: Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever
On July 27, 2025, the Chicago Sky of the WNBA will host a game at the United Center against the Indiana Fever.
2025: New Court Floor Design
As of the 2024-2025 Bulls season, the current court features sponsor Calamos.
2025: CTA Pink Line station
In 2025, it was announced that a new CTA Pink Line station is being explored to be built as part of the Project 1901 development.
February 28, 2026: WWE Elimination Chamber
On February 28, 2026, WWE will host their annual Elimination Chamber event at the United Center.
2028: NCAA Frozen Four
In 2028, the United Center will host the NCAA Division I Frozen Four.
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