Notable Events
In addition to more than 80 Bulls and 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 (from the first tournament in 1998 to 2001, then in odd-numbered years from 2003 to 2007, before the tournament moved permanently to Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis), the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament (hosted four times, including 2011), the Roundball Classic, and the Great Eight Classic.
U2 filmed two concerts during the American leg of their Vertigo Tour for the concert film Vertigo 2005: Live from Chicago. The Dave Matthews Band released Live in Chicago 12.19.98 as a live album and a bootleg video of the webcast of the performance is widely in circulation among DMB fans.
The United Center has also provided a Chicago home for Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice. During The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus and Disney on Ice, which occur once per year, the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks have a tradition of taking a two week road trip. This year the Circus will be in town during June 27, so the Bulls will not be in the regular season.
The arena was the Bulls' home during their second run of three consecutive championships, hosting the 1996, 1997, and 1998 NBA Finals. The Bulls won the 1996 and 1997 series in the sixth game at home, but won the 1998 series at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, which is now known as the EnergySolutions Arena.
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. It also hosted the last of World Championship Wrestling's annual Spring Stampede pay-per-views in 2000.
The United Center was also the venue of the 1996 Democratic National Convention, where the Democratic Party nominated as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore, the incumbent holders of the respective offices, who would be re-elected as a result of the general election held that November.
The Stanley Cup Finals were played in the arena for the first time in 2010. However, the Blackhawks won their first Stanley Cup since 1961 at Wachovia Center, now Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia.
On the weekend of March 5–6, 2011, the Professional Bull Riders made their Built Ford Tough Series debut at the United Center. It was their third Chicago-area visit, having previously visited Rosemont's Allstate Arena in 2006 and 2008. The event at the United Center presented a unique scenario in that instead of dirt, white stone was used to cover the arena floor.
The Blackhawks announced that hockey legends Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita would receive bronze statues in their honor outside of the United Center during the 2011–12 NHL season.
The Illinois State High School Hockey Championships are hosted at the United Center yearly for the Blackhawk Cup.
On Feb 21, 2011, Lady Gaga performed a sold-out show apart of her Monster Ball Tour.
On May 17, 2011, Oprah The Farewell Season: Oprah's Surprise Spectacular was taped at the United Center. The program aired on television on May 23 and 24, 2011.
On June 17 and 18, 2011, boy bands New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys also known as NKOTBSB performed for two sold out concerts.
On July 8, 2011, Britney Spears performed a sold-out concert as a part of her Femme Fatale Tour.
On January 28, 2012 The Ultimate Fighting Championship held its first nationally televised event at the arena: UFC on Fox.. UFC on Fox 2 was the UFC's 2nd live prime-time event on Fox. The headlining fight was former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, with Evans winning by unanimous decision. He will face current champion Jon Jones.
On September 19-20, 2012, Madonna performed two sold-out concerts in front of 28,143 people as part of her MDNA Tour.
On February 13 and February 14, 2013 Lady Gaga will be performing here as part of The Born This Way Ball Tour.
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Famous quotes containing the words notable and/or events:
“a notable prince that was called King John;
And he ruled England with main and with might,
For he did great wrong, and maintained little right.”
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“All the events which make the annals of the nations are but the shadows of our private experiences.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)