United Center

Fans attending games at the home of the Chicago Bulls, know that they have one of the best traditions in the NBA at the United Center. The pregame introductions of players, the dimming of the lights and the playing of On the Run by Pink Floyd has become famous around the world. The Bulls became a NBA franchise at the start of the 1966-67 season. Before the team’s inception, two other NBA franchises had been in Chicago, the Packers who moved to Washington and the Stags who folded in 1950. For 27 seasons the Bulls played at Chicago Stadium, one of the oldest NBA arena’s in the league when the Bulls moved to the United Center in 1994. The 17,000 seat Chicago Stadium opened in 1929 and was the site of many great sporting events including three Bulls NBA Championships.

FACTS & FIGURES
-Opened: 11/4/1994
-Capacity: 22,220
-Tenants: Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Blackhawks
-Cost: $175 million
-Architect: HOK Sport, Marmon Mok
-Address: 1901 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
-Former Name(s): None

–Directions/Parking

Like nearly every other NBA team in the league, the Bulls and owner Jerry Reinsdorf wanted a new arena to replace the aging Chicago Stadium as it lacked many modern features. Built near Chicago Stadium construction of the new arena began in April 1992. United Airlines purchased the naming rights to the arena for $1.8 million a year until 2014, thus it was named the United Center. The Bulls played their first game at the new arena in 1994. With a seating capacity of 22,220 it is the largest arena in the NBA. Many amenities can be found at the United Center including Fandemonium where fans can buy Bulls merchandise, The Locker Room and The Windy City Grill. A statue of the greatest player in the history of the NBA, Michael Jordan, can be found outside the east side of the stadium. Not only did he lead the Bulls to three NBA Championships before the team moved into the United Center but three additional NBA Championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998. In addition to being the home of the Bulls, the United Center hosts many other events including the Chicago Blackhawks (NHL).

History of the Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The team was founded in 1966 and is a member of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Bulls have a rich history, which includes six NBA championships, numerous successful seasons, and several legendary players.

The early years of the Bulls were marked by a period of adjustment and growing pains. The team struggled in its first few seasons and went through several coaching changes and roster overhauls. Despite these challenges, the Bulls managed to establish itself as a competitive team in the NBA.

In the late 1980s, the Bulls drafted a young shooting guard named Michael Jordan, who would go on to become one of the greatest basketball players of all time. With Jordan leading the way, the Bulls became a dominant force in the NBA, winning six championships in eight years and establishing themselves as one of the top teams in the league.

In the 1990s, the Bulls continued to be a top team in the NBA, reaching the NBA Finals several times and winning several more championships. The team was led by Jordan, as well as talented players such as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. The Bulls of this era are considered one of the greatest teams in NBA history and are remembered for their dominance, competitiveness, and winning mentality.

After Jordan retired, the Bulls faced a period of rebuilding and retooling. Despite this, the team remained competitive and continued to make the playoffs in several seasons, led by standout players such as Toni Kukoc and Ron Harper.

In recent years, the Bulls have undergone a period of rebuilding and have developed a talented young roster, led by players such as Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, and Coby White. The team has also hired a new head coach, Billy Donovan, who has a strong track record of success and is expected to bring a new level of competitiveness to the team.