Chicago Bulls Stadium History

The Chicago Bulls stadium history includes just three venues, the Chicago Amphitheater, Chicago Stadium and the United Center. After just a pair of seasons at the Amphitheater, the Bulls moved to Chicago Stadium, which opened in 1929 and at one time was the largest indoor arena in the world. It cost $9.5 million to build and is generally recognized as the first sports stadium to ever have an air conditioning system. Chicago Stadium hosted the Chicago Blackhawks from 1929 through 1994, and the "Madhouse on Madison Street" was home to Bull basketball from 1968 through 1994. However, by 1988, the venue was truly beginning to show its age. Bulls majority owner Jerry Reinsdorf and Blackhawks owner William Wirtz agreed that a new home was needed for both sports franchises. Construction on that new arena began in 1992, and the brand new United Center seating option opened in 1994. It remains the home of both clubs to this day, and is truly a remarkable place to watch an NBA basketball or NHL hockey game.

Chicago Bulls Stadium History: The Dawn of United Center Basketball

The latest chapter in the Chicago Bulls stadium history opened with the first game in the 1994-95 season, as the team participated in their first games in the brand new United Center. The team played .500 or so ball for the early part of the season, with Scottie Pippen leading the way. He averaged 21.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game -- ranking in the league's top 25 in all of the above categories -- and led the NBA in steals with 2.94 per contest. The season also marked the return of Michael Jordan, who had retired following the 1993 season but stepped back onto the court in March of 1995. In 17 games, he averaged 26.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest. Chicago finished in third place in the Central Division with a 47-35 mark, reaching the Eastern Conference semifinals before losing to the Orlando Magic, four games to two. The next season, the Bulls won the first of three consecutive championships, thus giving the United Center a proper welcome into the world of professional basketball.