Game Weekend
The United Center’s facade in Chicago, with United Center signage above its street-level entrance doors

Chicago Bulls / Chicago Blackhawks

United Center

Chicago, Illinois

A Bulls or Blackhawks game night, or a weekend, at the United Center.

Plan my tripJust find a hotel

The local take

An arena on Madison Street in the Near West Side, a short ride from the West Loop’s converted warehouses and Randolph Street’s restaurant row.

About half of the Bulls and Blackhawks home games fall Monday to Thursday, and most start in the evening, many at 7 p.m., so plan for a game night as well as a weekend. Gates generally open 90 minutes before the game. Bulls and Blackhawks games take only mobile tickets, and the arena is cashless.

United Center

Your Chicago weekend

Pick your game, then your hotel, food and things to do, or let a quick start choose them with you.

Which game are you going to?

Chicago Bulls & Chicago Blackhawks

Exploring the weekend before choosing a game. Dates stay open.

Find your places.

Find your stay, your local pub, and everything around the game.

Each one picks a hotel and food that work together. Change anything below.

My weekend

6 hotels

Chicago places

HotelSuggested

Near West Side and Illinois Medical District · 0.49 mi from the arena

The hotel says it is less than a mile from the United Center. Suites have kitchens, and breakfast is included.

The hotel says the arena is less than a mile away, suites have kitchens, and breakfast is included. Billy Goat sits on Madison Street east of the arena, and the Blue Line runs all night if you’d rather ride.

  • Free breakfast
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: It shares an address with Hyatt Place, so the choice between them is room type, not location. No parking price is published.

On game day: Near West stay: walk north on Damen Avenue to Madison Street. The Blue Line stops at Illinois Medical District at all hours if you’d rather ride part of the way.

1835 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612

0.49 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hyatt House Chicago Medical/University DistrictOfficial details for Hyatt House Chicago Medical/University District
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Hotel

Near West Side and Illinois Medical District · 0.38 mi from the arena

The hotel says it is four blocks from the United Center and three blocks from the Illinois Medical District Blue Line station.

  • Breakfast at a charge
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: Breakfast costs extra; the FAQ calls it a nominal charge. No parking price is published.

On game day: Near West stay: walk north on Damen Avenue to Madison Street. The Blue Line stops at Illinois Medical District at all hours if you’d rather ride part of the way.

1622 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612

0.38 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hotel Chicago West Loop, SureStay Collection by Best WesternOfficial details for Hotel Chicago West Loop, SureStay Collection by Best Western
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Hotel

Near West Side and Illinois Medical District · 0.48 mi from the arena

The hotel page headlines itself as a hotel near United Center, and breakfast is included.

  • Free breakfast
  • Self-parking; price not listed
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: It shares an address with Hyatt House. Self-parking is listed, but no price is published.

On game day: Near West stay: walk north on Damen Avenue to Madison Street. The Blue Line stops at Illinois Medical District at all hours if you’d rather ride part of the way.

1835 West Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612

0.48 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hyatt Place Chicago Medical/University DistrictOfficial details for Hyatt Place Chicago Medical/University District
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Fulton Market and the West Loop · 0.99 mi from the arena

The hotel says it is steps from Randolph Street’s Restaurant Row. Many rooms have kitchens, breakfast is included, and there’s a rooftop deck.

  • Free breakfast
  • Self-parking; price not listed
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: The arena is a ride away. Self-parking is listed, but no price is published.

On game day: Fulton Market stay: take the Green Line from Morgan to Damen, board the #19 United Center Express at Randolph and Halsted (a stop on the CTA’s 2018 list), or ride Kaiser Tiger’s free game shuttle.

105 North May Street, Chicago, IL 60607

0.99 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Hyatt House Chicago West Loop-Fulton MarketOfficial details for Hyatt House Chicago West Loop-Fulton Market
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel

Fulton Market and the West Loop · 1.3 mi from the arena

A hotel at Lake and Green Streets in the Fulton Market District. The hotel lists Morgan station on the Green and Pink Lines as a 3-minute walk.

  • Valet $75 overnight
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Details

Keep in mind: The arena is a ride away. Valet is $75 overnight, and the hotel says metered street parking is hard to find.

On game day: Fulton Market stay: take the Green Line from Morgan to Damen, board the #19 United Center Express at Randolph and Halsted (a stop on the CTA’s 2018 list), or ride Kaiser Tiger’s free game shuttle.

200 North Green Street, Chicago, IL 60607

1.3 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for The Hoxton, ChicagoOfficial details for The Hoxton, Chicago
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Hotel

The Loop and downtown · 2.5 mi from the arena

A Michigan Avenue hotel in the Loop with Cindy’s rooftop, near Millennium Park. The CTA’s 2018 stop list for the #19 bus includes Madison and Wabash, a block west.

  • Destination fee $31.96 a night
Check rooms
Details

Keep in mind: It’s the farthest hotel here from the arena. The hotel adds a nightly destination fee of $31.96 per room, plus tax, which it says is subject to change.

On game day: Loop stay: board the #19 United Center Express on Madison Street, or ride the Blue Line toward Forest Park to Illinois Medical District and walk north on Damen Avenue.

12 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603

2.5 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.

Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.

Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.

Directions: Directions to arena for Chicago Athletic AssociationOfficial details for Chicago Athletic Association
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.

Your weekend

2 adults, 1 room
Stay
Not chosen
Food
None chosen
Do

Choose a hotel first

Travel & full itinerary

The full plan, stop by stop

2 adults · 1 room

Choose a hotel to plan travel.

Your home base

No hotel chosen yet

Your hotel sets the area, both arena journeys and the travel between your stops.

Nothing is in your plan until you choose it. A quick start above the list can choose one for you.

Make time for a good meal

Food for the weekend

Compare and choose food

No food picks yet. Add places in the comparison above when you’re ready.

Check opening hours for your dates and reserve directly where needed.

Meals outside your hotel area are a separate outing. Plan travel to the restaurant and back; the arena route does not cover that journey.

The reason for the trip

United Center

Pick your game when you’re ready.

Nights open · 2 adults, 1 room

A different hotel?

Your arena travel updates to match. Any food you picked yourself stays.

Get to know the areas

Near West Side and Illinois Medical DistrictWalking to the game

The closest hotels to the arena, near the Illinois Medical District Blue Line station.

Hospital and university campus by day, quiet blocks at night, with Billy Goat Tavern on Madison Street

To the arena
Walk north on Damen Avenue to Madison Street and the arena. From the Illinois Medical District station, the CTA says to exit at Damen Avenue and walk north to Madison.
After the game
Walk back south on Damen Avenue, or ride the Blue Line from Illinois Medical District, which runs 24 hours a day.
The tradeoff
It’s a quieter hospital-campus area with fewer restaurants and bars by the hotels than Fulton Market.

Hotels in this area

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Fulton Market and the West LoopA food-focused game night or weekend

Stay among Randolph Street’s restaurants and ride the Green Line, a bus, a rideshare or a restaurant’s free shuttle to the arena.

A former industrial district, now restaurants, bars and hotels around Randolph Street and Fulton Market

To the arena
Ride the Green Line from Morgan toward Harlem/Lake to Damen; the arena is two blocks south and one block east of the station.
After the game
Walk back to Damen station, or ride the #19 bus or Kaiser Tiger’s return shuttle after a Bulls or Blackhawks game.
The tradeoff
It’s a ride to the arena each way, not a walk.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
The Loop and downtownPairing the game with downtown sightseeing

A downtown base near Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue, linked to the arena by the Blue Line and the event-only #19 bus.

Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park in downtown Chicago

To the arena
Board the #19 United Center Express westbound on Madison Street, or ride the Blue Line toward Forest Park to Illinois Medical District.
After the game
Board the #19 at Madison and United Center; the CTA says buses run every few minutes for up to an hour after the event. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day.
The tradeoff
It’s the farthest area from the arena. The #19 bus runs only for games and selected events, so the Blue Line or a rideshare is the fallback.

Hotels in this area

We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.

Upcoming games at United Center

Visiting with the away team? Each game has its own page.

To the game and back

Choose a route from the area you’re staying in.

From the Medical District on footNear West Side and Illinois Medical Districtwalk
Getting there
Walk north on Damen Avenue to Madison Street and the arena. Gates generally open 90 minutes before the game.
Getting back
Walk back south on Damen Avenue, or ride the Blue Line from Illinois Medical District, which runs 24 hours a day.

No official walking time is published. Bags larger than 10 × 6 × 2 inches aren’t allowed, and lockers are at the Uber Zone at Madison and Wood Streets.

Route information
From Fulton Market on the Green LineFulton Market and the West Looptransit
Getting there
Walk to Morgan station and ride the Green Line toward Harlem/Lake to Damen. The arena is two blocks south and one block east of the station.
Getting back
Walk back to Damen and ride toward downtown to Morgan. Green and Pink Line trains also stop at Ashland/Lake, two blocks north and three blocks east of the arena.

Check the CTA’s Green Line schedule for the last trains after a late game; the Blue Line is the line the CTA lists as running at all hours. Planned work sometimes replaces Green Line trains with buses.

Route information
Kaiser Tiger’s free game shuttleFulton Market and the West Loopshuttle
Getting there
Kaiser Tiger, at 1415 West Randolph Street, runs a free shuttle to every Bulls and Blackhawks game. No reservation is needed.
Getting back
A return shuttle runs after Bulls and Blackhawks games. The restaurant says the shuttle runs continuously until all guests have left.

It’s a restaurant’s service, not the arena’s or the CTA’s, and there’s no return shuttle after concerts. No departure times are published.

Route information
From Fulton Market by rideshareFulton Market and the West Looprideshare
Getting there
With Uber, set your drop-off at the arena’s Uber Zone at Madison Street and Wood Street (Lot E).
Getting back
Walk to the Uber Zone at Madison and Wood for pickup; it replaced three older Uber pickup zones around the arena.

Prices and wait times after the game are set by the app. The arena’s FAQ names a zone for Uber only and publishes no pickup times.

Route information
From the Loop on the #19 United Center ExpressThe Loop and downtowntransit
Getting there
Board the #19 United Center Express westbound on Madison Street. The CTA’s posted stop list includes Madison and Wabash, Madison and Dearborn/State, Madison and LaSalle and Madison and Clinton.
Getting back
Board at Madison and United Center. The CTA says buses run every few minutes for up to an hour after the event, with eastbound stops along Washington Street in the Loop.

The #19 runs only for Bulls and Blackhawks games and selected events. The CTA’s stop list is dated 2018, so check CTA Bus Tracker for your stop on game day. The regular #20 Madison bus also runs at all hours between Austin Avenue and Michigan Avenue.

Route information
From the Loop on the Blue LineThe Loop and downtowntransit
Getting there
Ride the Blue Line toward Forest Park to Illinois Medical District. Exit at Damen Avenue, the westernmost exit, and walk north on Damen to Madison Street.
Getting back
Walk south on Damen Avenue to Illinois Medical District and ride toward O’Hare to the Loop. The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day.

The CTA doesn’t publish a walking time from the station. The CTA runs a slightly modified Blue Line O’Hare branch schedule during non-rush hours and weekends through October 9, 2026, for construction.

Route information

At United Center

Bags and lockers

You can bring a small purse or personal bag up to 10 × 6 × 2 inches; no backpacks or other bags. Binbox lockers at the Uber Zone near Madison and Wood Streets are the only approved bag storage. Umbrellas, laptops, iPads, selfie sticks and outside food and drink aren’t allowed.

Arena information
Gates, payment and re-entry

Gates generally open 90 minutes before games. The arena is cashless: cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay only. Re-entry isn’t allowed at any event, and smoking isn’t allowed anywhere on the campus.

Arena information
Mobile tickets — Bulls

Bulls games use mobile tickets in the Chicago Bulls app, your account in a phone browser, or Apple Wallet. Printed and screenshot tickets aren’t accepted at the gates.

Arena information
Mobile tickets — Blackhawks

Blackhawks games require mobile tickets from the Chicago Blackhawks app, with a rotating barcode or a wallet pass. Screenshots don’t work.

Arena information
Parking and rideshare

Official fan parking lots A, B, C, D, F, H, J and K open to the public 2.5 hours before the event; prices aren’t on the arena’s FAQ. Accessible parking is in Lot C from the Warren Boulevard entrance. Uber pickup and drop-off is the Uber Zone at Madison and Wood Streets (Lot E).

Arena information
From O’Hare by train

The Blue Line runs 24 hours a day from O’Hare. Ride toward Forest Park to Illinois Medical District, exit at Damen Avenue and walk north to Madison Street. The CTA runs a slightly modified O’Hare branch schedule on weekends and outside rush hours through October 9, 2026.

Arena information
The #19 United Center Express

The CTA runs the #19 only for Bulls and Blackhawks games and selected events. After the event, buses run every few minutes for up to an hour. Use CTA Bus Tracker for times on your date.

Arena information

Find your game & tickets

Use the team schedule for home dates and start times.

Chicago Bulls scheduleChicago Blackhawks schedule

Useful things to know

Can I bring a bag into the United Center?

Only a small purse or personal bag up to 10 × 6 × 2 inches. Backpacks aren’t allowed. Binbox lockers at the Uber Zone near Madison and Wood Streets hold bags that aren’t allowed.

Does my child need a ticket?

For Bulls and Blackhawks games, children under 36 inches don’t need a ticket if they sit on an adult’s lap, one child per lap. Concerts need a ticket for everyone.

Can I get to the arena without a car?

Yes. Ride the Blue Line to Illinois Medical District and walk north on Damen Avenue, ride the Green Line to Damen, or take the #19 United Center Express bus, which runs for Bulls and Blackhawks games.

Can I leave and come back in?

No. The arena doesn’t allow re-entry at any event.

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