The United Center is a famous indoor arena in Chicago, Illinois. It’s where the NBA’s Chicago Bulls and NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks play their home games. The arena opened in 1994 and hosts more than 200 events every year—basketball and hockey games, concerts, family shows, and other entertainment. The United Center describes itself as the largest arena in the United States, and its seating configuration varies depending on the event. If you’re carrying luggage or large bags, there’s a United Center storage point nearby that can help.
When you visit, you can watch exciting basketball and hockey games, see world-class concerts with top artists, and enjoy spectacular shows. The arena has modern features, comfortable seats, many food and drink stands, and a team store where you can buy official gear. The atmosphere during events is electric. Every visit is memorable for sports fans and anyone who loves live entertainment.
United Center Bag Policy
Types of Bags Allowed
The United Center has a strict bag policy for everyone’s safety. Guests may enter with a small purse or personal bag up to 10 inches by 6 inches by 2 inches. The bag does not need to be clear. All approved bags are subject to inspection at entry.
Exceptions are provided for guests who need required medical equipment. Medical bags larger than the standard 10" x 6" x 2" limit must be at least two-thirds filled with medical supplies and are subject to search. Some individual events may also publish additional exceptions, so check the specific event information before arriving.
Types of Bags Not Allowed
Backpacks and other bags that do not meet the 10" x 6" x 2" personal-bag limit are not allowed. This includes luggage, computer bags, and other oversized bags. The United Center’s prohibited-items list also includes laptops.
If you show up with a prohibited bag, you may be able to use the approved bag-check lockers near the arena, or you will need to store the item elsewhere. Additional restrictions can apply on certain event days.
United Center Lockers
The United Center does offer an approved bag-storage option. Locker rentals and bag-check services are provided by Binbox in the Uber Zone near the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. According to the United Center, Binbox lockers are the approved storage option for bags at the arena.
Availability can vary for individual events, so check the event page before relying on the lockers. If locker service is unavailable or you are carrying larger luggage, you can also arrange storage elsewhere in Chicago before arriving.
United Center Transportation
Getting to the United Center is pretty easy thanks to Chicago’s public transit and other travel options. Here’s how:
CTA Bus service runs close to the arena. Routes 9 Ashland, 20 Madison, 50 Damen, and 126 Jackson stop directly in front of or within a few blocks of the United Center. After events, the CTA also operates the 19 United Center Express, which travels toward Union Station, downtown, and Michigan Avenue.
CTA Train (the ‘L’) is another good choice. The Damen station on the Green Line is especially convenient: the arena is two blocks south and one block east of the station. The Ashland/Lake station on the Green and Pink Lines is also nearby, and the Illinois Medical District station on the Blue Line is a few blocks south of the arena.
Driving and parking works if you prefer your own car. The United Center has several paid parking lots around the arena. Parking rates depend on the event and are subject to change, and parking can be purchased in advance. Official parking lots generally open 2.5 hours before the event. Traffic gets heavy on event days, so arrive early.
Ride-sharing services also have a designated Uber Zone in Lot E at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street. On event days, the Uber Zone opens two hours before games, concerts, and other events and remains open for up to one hour after the event.
United Center Camera Policy
The United Center allows still cameras at sporting events, but there are important restrictions. Non-flash still photography is generally permitted as long as it does not interfere with another guest’s view. However, cameras with detachable lenses are prohibited.
Video recording devices and audio recorders are not allowed. Tripods and other photography equipment cannot be used without arena-issued media credentials, and selfie sticks are prohibited. GoPros and iPads are also prohibited at United Center events.
For concerts and other events, camera rules can change depending on the performer or promoter. Professional cameras, video recording devices, and audio recorders are generally prohibited. Check the specific event information before you go.
United Center Food Policy
The United Center has a strict policy about outside food and drinks. Outside food or beverages of any kind are not permitted inside the arena, including alcoholic beverages. Bottles and cans are also listed among prohibited items.
The United Center offers food and drink options throughout the venue, including gluten-free, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan options. If you have a medical requirement that may affect what you need to bring into the arena, contact United Center Guest Relations before your visit for guidance.
The United Center is also a fully cashless arena for food, beverage, and merchandise purchases. Credit and debit cards and supported mobile-payment services are accepted.
Other United Center Rules & Information
Prohibited items go beyond just bags and food. Weapons of any kind—including guns, knives, ammunition, explosives, pepper spray, and mace—are prohibited. The list also includes air horns and other artificial noisemakers, drones, fireworks, laser products, projectiles, GoPros, iPads, laptops, umbrellas, selfie sticks, and AI glasses or other wearable devices capable of recording, streaming, photographing, or using AI-assisted features.
Flags, banners, and signs are subject to size and content restrictions. They cannot be attached to poles or sticks, contain offensive or vulgar language, or interfere with other guests. These rules may change for individual events.
Accessibility services are available throughout the arena. The United Center offers accessible seating, accessible parking in Lot C via the Warren Boulevard entrance, wheelchair escorts, accessible facilities, and assistive listening devices. Assistive listening devices are available at the Guest Relations booths at Gates 2 and 6 with a valid photo ID. Certified service animals and service animals in training for guests with disabilities are allowed, while other animals are prohibited.
Re-entry policy: re-entry into the United Center is prohibited during all events. Once you leave the arena, you cannot return using the same ticket.
Smoking of any type is also prohibited anywhere inside the arena or on the United Center campus.
Tips for Visitors
Before attending any event, check the official United Center website for the latest information. The site has detailed event schedules, bag policy updates, parking info, gate opening times, and special instructions for specific events. Some concerts or shows have unique rules that differ from standard games. The website also has seating charts so you can see the general arena layout. Many events also have specific entry requirements that are published on their individual event pages. Staying informed helps you avoid surprises on event day.
A practical tip for attending events is to bring a small purse or personal bag no larger than 10 inches by 6 inches by 2 inches. It does not need to be transparent. Backpacks and other larger bags are not allowed. Choosing a compliant bag from the start will help you avoid problems at security.
Don’t let heavy bags ruin your experience. If you’re traveling from out of town, coming from work, or exploring Chicago before the event, leave big backpacks at home or use Qeepl luggage storage near the United Center. You can arrange storage before heading to the arena and avoid arriving with a bag that does not meet the United Center’s requirements. Storage costs US$7.39 per item per day, and luggage is protected by insurance coverage of US$1,000.
FAQ
Can I bring a bag into the United Center?
Yes. Guests may bring a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2". The bag does not need to be clear. Backpacks and other bags outside the permitted size are prohibited. Exceptions are available for required medical equipment, and event-specific rules may provide additional exceptions.
How strict is the stadium bag policy?
The United Center enforces its bag policy at entry. Guests are limited to a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2", and approved bags are subject to inspection. Backpacks and other non-compliant bags are prohibited. Binbox locker rentals and bag-check services are available in the Uber Zone near Madison Street and Wood Street, although availability may vary for specific events.
Does no carry-on bag mean no backpack?
At the United Center, backpacks are prohibited under the current general bag policy. Guests may instead bring a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2". If you arrive with a backpack, you may be able to use the approved Binbox bag-check service, depending on availability, or store it elsewhere before entering.
Can I bring my purse into a concert?
Under the United Center’s general policy, you can bring a small purse or personal bag up to 10" x 6" x 2". It does not need to be clear. However, individual concerts may impose additional restrictions, so always check the specific event page before arriving.
