United Center

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United Center

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The United Center is a sports arena located on the west side of Chicago, Illinois, named after its corporate sponsor, United Airlines, located at 1901 W. Madison Street, west of downtown Chicago. 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 Bill Wirtz and Jerry Reinsdorf, the owners of the two sports teams, respectively. The United Center's predecessor was the indoor Chicago Stadium, which was demolished after the newer arena opened for business on August 18, 1994. The famous statue of Michael Jordan is located on the east side of the arena.

The privately-owned arena is 960,000 square feet big and is located on a 46 acre parcel west of the Chicago Loop. The arena claims to be the largest in the United States (in physical size, not in capacity; the arena seats 20,500 for hockey, 22,879 for basketball and up to 23,500 for concerts), and hosts over 200 events per year, drawing over 20 million visitors since its grand opening. In addition to approximately 100 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 six times with a seventh scheduled for 2007), and the Great Eight Classic. Musical acts appearing at the United Center have included Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, U2, The Who, Madonna, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam and The Three Tenors. The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice. The United Center was also the site of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) SummerSlam in 1994, and the 1996 Democratic National Convention. It also hosted the last World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Spring Stampede in 2000.

[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 Shakira, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Dave Matthews Band, David Bowie, Weezer, Celine Dion, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rush, The Rolling Stones, Dane Cook, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Paul McCartney, U2, Phil Collins, Genesis, The Who, Madonna, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Spice Girls, Roger Waters, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, The Three Tenors, Barbra Streisand, Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony. U2 themselves 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.

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.