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Visiting United Center as an Away Fan: The Complete Guide

Q: How do I get to United Center as an away fan?

Fly into O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW), both connected to downtown by the CTA. From downtown, the arena is a short trip west. The arena isn't right on a rail stop, so most fans rideshare or take a CTA bus from downtown, or drive and park in the lots.

Q: Where should visiting fans stay for a Bulls game at United Center?

Stay in downtown Chicago (the Loop or West Loop) — the West Loop especially is close to the arena and full of great restaurants. Downtown gives you Chicago's food and nightlife plus an easy trip west to the game.

Q: What is parking like at United Center and when should away fans arrive?

There are big lots around the arena, and prepaid is smart if you drive. Otherwise rideshare is easy from downtown. Arrive early for the Michael Jordan statue and the pregame — and grab food in the nearby West Loop, one of the city's best dining areas.

Q: Where do visiting fans sit at United Center?

It's a large arena with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, and it gets loud. Lower-bowl seats are pricier while the upper deck is good value (and steep). Bulls crowds are passionate but fine for visiting fans.

Q: What food should you get at United Center, and what should you bring?

Get a Chicago dog and Italian beef and other Chicago staples on the concourse. Check the bag policy, as arena clear-bag or small-bag rules usually apply. It's indoors, so weather isn't a factor inside.

Q: What is the pregame scene like at United Center?

The West Loop, between downtown and the arena, is the pregame — one of Chicago's top restaurant-and-bar districts. Grab dinner and drinks in the West Loop or downtown, then head over for tip-off.

Q: Is United Center friendly to away fans, and any insider tips?

Rideshare from downtown or park in the lots. See the Jordan statue and eat in the West Loop beforehand. Stay downtown, get a Chicago dog, and treat it as a Chicago trip. A storied, atmospheric away arena.

United Center · 1901 W Madison St, Chicago, Illinois

★ A storied arena just west of downtown

The United Center sits on Chicago's Near West Side, just west of downtown — a storied arena, home of the Chicago Bulls (NBA), the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and the Michael Jordan statue. It's a short ride from the Loop, with big parking lots and city dining nearby. Here's how to do a Bulls or Blackhawks road trip right.

Getting There

Fly into O'Hare (ORD) or Midway (MDW), both connected to downtown by the CTA. From downtown, the arena is a short trip west.

The arena isn't right on a rail stop, so most fans rideshare or take a CTA bus from downtown, or drive and park in the lots.

Where to Stay

Stay in downtown Chicago (the Loop or West Loop) — the West Loop especially is close to the arena and full of great restaurants.

Downtown gives you Chicago's food and nightlife plus an easy trip west to the game.

Parking & When to Arrive

There are big lots around the arena, and prepaid is smart if you drive. Otherwise rideshare is easy from downtown.

Arrive early for the Michael Jordan statue and the pregame — and grab food in the nearby West Loop, one of the city's best dining areas.

Where Visiting Fans Sit

It's a large arena with good sightlines and no major obstructed views, and it gets loud.

Lower-bowl seats are pricier while the upper deck is good value (and steep). Bulls crowds are passionate but fine for visiting fans.

Food & What to Bring

Get a Chicago dog and Italian beef and other Chicago staples on the concourse.

Check the bag policy, as arena clear-bag or small-bag rules usually apply. It's indoors, so weather isn't a factor inside.

The Pregame Scene

The West Loop, between downtown and the arena, is the pregame — one of Chicago's top restaurant-and-bar districts.

Grab dinner and drinks in the West Loop or downtown, then head over for tip-off.

Insider Tips

Rideshare from downtown or park in the lots. See the Jordan statue and eat in the West Loop beforehand.

Stay downtown, get a Chicago dog, and treat it as a Chicago trip. A storied, atmospheric away arena.

Plan & Book

Build your United Center trip

Choose each piece — flights into ORD or MDW, a hotel downtown or in the West Loop, Bulls tickets, and a rental car only if you want it (rideshare is easy). It adds to your trip below. Nothing books until you're ready.