How Much Is Parking at United Center?
Parking at United Center ranges from $15 to $40 depending on the lot, event type, and whether you pay in advance or at the gate.
Official lots run $24 when purchased in advance through the United Center website. SpotHero official lot passes start at $22 and cover Lots A, B, D, E, F, J, L, and the MXC Garage. Lots C and K are premium reserved lots available through Ticketmaster and are priced at $27 prepaid or $29 at the gate. Independent public lots surrounding the arena average $15 to $20 on a typical regular-season night, though prices rise sharply for playoff games, concerts, and marquee events.
Prices are event-specific and subject to change without notice. The biggest savings come from buying early — day-of cash prices at unofficial lots can spike well above the $24 official rate, especially for high-demand matchups between the Bulls or Blackhawks and top opponents.
United Center Parking Lots and Maps
United Center has 12 official parking lots located directly outside the arena, giving fans more than 6,000 spaces to choose from on game day.
All official lots can be accessed from Damen Ave., Madison St., Adams St., Warren Blvd., Wood St., Monroe St., and Washington St. All official lots open to the public two hours before game time. Here is a breakdown of the key lots:
Lot C — The closest lot to the arena, with multiple access points along Damen Ave., Madison St., Adams St., Wood St., Monroe St., and Washington St. Opens 2.5 hours before the game. Prepaid price is $27; gate price is $29. Not available through SpotHero.
Lot K — Located at the south entrance at 1859 W. Adams St. Ideal for fans who want a quicker exit after the final buzzer. Offers multiple exit routes onto quieter side streets. Prepaid price is $27; gate price is $29. Not available through SpotHero.
Lot J — Located at the intersection of Monroe and Wood Streets. A lesser-known lot that helps fans avoid the post-game congestion near Madison and Damen. Available through SpotHero.
Lot G South — The designated ADA accessible lot at the intersection of Damen Ave. and Monroe St. Reserved for vehicles displaying a valid disability placard or license plate.
Lot B — Located at the north end of the arena at Damen Ave. and Warren Blvd. Serves as the bus and large-vehicle parking lot. Groups entering Lot B are directed to Gate 2.5.
MXC Garage — The Malcolm X College parking garage, located just east of the United Center. It holds approximately 1,250 spaces and is included in SpotHero official lot passes. It is a practical alternative that avoids the immediate arena congestion.
Lots A, D, E, F, and L are also available through SpotHero official passes starting at $22. If your first-choice lot is full, attendants will redirect you to the next closest official lot.
Preferred/Premium Parking at United Center
The closest and most premium parking at United Center is found in Lots C and K, both of which are reserved lots not available through SpotHero.
Lot C sits immediately adjacent to the arena and is consistently cited as the most convenient lot for both Bulls and Blackhawks fans. It opens 2.5 hours before tip-off or puck drop and requires passes purchased through Ticketmaster at $27 in advance or $29 at the gate. Lot K at 1859 W. Adams St. carries the same pricing structure and is especially valued for its fast post-game exit, with multiple routes onto side streets that bypass the main Madison and Damen bottlenecks.
Executive Suite holders receive two complimentary reserved passes per event valid in Lots C and K. Lexus Club Seat members holding two to four tickets receive a complimentary reserved space in a dedicated closed-in paved lot for all Bulls preseason, regular season, and playoff games. For non-suite holders who want close-in parking, purchasing Lot C or Lot K passes through Ticketmaster as early as possible is the best move, as these lots fill well before the official two-hour lot opening window.
Free Parking Near United Center
Truly free parking near United Center on game days is extremely limited and comes with meaningful risk of ticketing or towing.
Street parking on Washington and Wolcott Streets is one of the most cited free options within walking distance of the arena. However, street parking in the surrounding Near West Side neighborhood is heavily restricted on event days, with many blocks marked as residential-permit-only or converted to temporary tow-away zones. Always read every posted sign before leaving your vehicle.
The Malcolm X College Garage occasionally offers free parking during regular college operating hours when no event is scheduled, but this is not a reliable free option on high-traffic game nights. If free street parking is your goal, plan to arrive at least three hours before tip-off to secure a spot before the residential blocks fill and enforcement ramps up. Using that extra time to grab food nearby is a good way to make the early arrival worthwhile.
For budget-conscious fans, public lots in the surrounding neighborhood average $15 to $20, which is meaningfully cheaper than the $27 to $29 premium lots without requiring the risk of unmonitored street parking.
Can You Tailgate at United Center?
Tailgating is not permitted at United Center — the arena’s official parking rules explicitly prohibit it in all official lots.
The United Center’s posted lot rules ban tailgating and similar activities in all official parking areas. Alcohol consumption on lots or in parked vehicles is also prohibited, as are in-and-out privileges once you have parked. There are no designated tailgate zones, no grilling areas, and no pre-game lot party sections for any Bulls or Blackhawks game.
Fans looking for a pre-game atmosphere are better served by the bars and restaurants along Madison Street and in the nearby West Loop and Fulton Market neighborhoods. Many spots in those areas cater directly to game-day crowds, offer drink specials, and are a short rideshare or walk back to the arena. Arriving when lots open two hours before game time gives you enough time to settle in without needing a formal tailgate setup.
ADA and Handicap Parking at United Center
ADA and handicap parking at United Center is located in Lot G South at the intersection of Damen Avenue and Monroe Street, on the southwest corner of the building.
The arena offers 100 designated disabled parking spaces in Lot G. Vehicles displaying a current disability parking placard or disability license plates are permitted to use this lot. No advance reservation is required for Lot G, but spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arriving early is strongly recommended for high-demand games.
The United Center is built to 100% ADA compliance. Inside the arena, wheelchair-accessible seating is available on all levels. Guests can request a wheelchair escort from any venue entrance, and a guest services representative will assist with transportation to and from the seating area. Assisted listening devices are available for loan at the Guest Relations Booth in Section 115. For accessible seating ticket questions, contact the United Center Box Office at (312) 455-4500 or Guest Relations at (312) 455-4509 (TTY). The Chicago Transit Authority also provides accessible transportation to and from the United Center for guests with disabilities.
Uber and Lyft Drop-Off at United Center
The designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone at United Center is located at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street in Lot E.
The United Center consolidated its previously scattered rideshare zones — which included three separate locations near Lots A, D, and F — into one centralized Uber Zone. Drivers arriving with passengers are instructed to pull into the Uber Zone from the Madison Street side. After exiting the vehicle, guests walk to the main entrance at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street and are encouraged to enter through the East Atrium. The Uber Zone opens two hours before games and remains open up to one hour after each event. On non-event days, rideshare vehicles drop off near the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street outside of the designated zone.
For post-game pickup, fans inside the United Center should request their ride through the Uber app before heading to the zone. Upon arrival at the zone, an attendant will direct riders to the lane their driver is in. Using rideshare is one of the most stress-free ways to handle United Center parking entirely, particularly for playoff games when official lots sell out well in advance.
Public Transit to United Center
United Center is accessible by multiple CTA bus and train options, making it one of the more transit-friendly major arenas in the country despite not having a dedicated rail station at its doorstep.
The fastest and most direct transit option on game days is the CTA #19 United Center Express Bus. This service runs exclusively on event days, departing every 10 minutes starting 90 minutes before the game and continuing until 30 minutes before tip-off. Boarding is southbound on Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street in the Loop, making it a convenient option for fans coming from downtown hotels or the State Street corridor.
The CTA #20 Madison Bus is the everyday alternative. It runs west on Madison Street from Wabash Street in the Loop, making all stops, and deposits riders directly outside the arena. For rail riders, take the CTA Orange, Green, Purple, or Brown Lines to the Madison/Wabash stop in the Loop and then board the #20 Madison bus heading west. The combination of the #20 bus and the downtown rail lines puts fans from most of Chicago’s North Side, South Side, and suburban Metra riders within reasonable reach of the arena on game nights.
United Center Parking Tips
The single most effective move for United Center parking is to buy a prepaid pass before game day — it saves money and guarantees your spot without circling the neighborhood.
For the closest parking, target Lot C through Ticketmaster at $27 prepaid. For the fastest post-game exit, Lot K at Adams Street is the top choice, with multiple side-street exits that bypass the Madison and Damen gridlock. For the best value on an official pass, SpotHero passes starting at $22 cover Lots A, B, D, E, F, J, L, and the MXC Garage — solid options that are a short, flat walk to the arena.
Arrive when lots open, two hours before game time for SpotHero lots or 2.5 hours before for Lot C. The MXC Garage is a smart backup if you missed buying early — it holds 1,250 cars, sits just east of the arena, and tends to empty faster after games than the immediately adjacent surface lots. Avoid unofficial cash-only lots around the perimeter, as some are known for price-switching and poor exit management. Stick to official lots or pre-booked SpotHero reservations for the safest, most predictable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to park at United Center?
Official United Center parking costs $24 prepaid through the venue website, or $22 and up through SpotHero for general lots. Premium lots C and K cost $27 prepaid or $29 at the gate. Independent nearby lots average $15 to $20 for regular-season games.
Can I buy United Center parking in advance?
Yes. Prepaid parking is available through the United Center’s official website, SpotHero, and Ticketmaster. SpotHero official lot passes cover Lots A, B, D, E, F, J, L, and the MXC Garage starting at $22. Lots C and K must be purchased through Ticketmaster at $27.
What is the closest parking lot to United Center?
Lot C is the closest official parking lot to United Center. It has access points along Damen Ave., Madison St., Adams St., Wood St., Monroe St., and Washington St., and opens 2.5 hours before the game.
Where is ADA parking at United Center?
ADA parking is in Lot G South at the intersection of Damen Avenue and Monroe Street on the southwest corner of the building. The lot has 100 accessible spaces available to vehicles displaying a valid disability placard or plate, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where do Uber and Lyft drop off at United Center?
The rideshare drop-off and pick-up zone is at the corner of Madison Street and Wood Street in Lot E. Drivers enter from Madison Street, and guests exit toward the East Atrium entrance. The zone opens two hours before events.
Is tailgating allowed at United Center?
No. Tailgating and similar activities are explicitly prohibited in all official United Center parking lots. Alcohol consumption in lots or parked vehicles is also banned. Fans seeking a pre-game atmosphere should head to bars and restaurants in the nearby West Loop and Fulton Market neighborhoods.
What bus goes to United Center on game days?
The CTA #19 United Center Express Bus runs exclusively on event days, departing every 10 minutes starting 90 minutes before the game from Michigan Avenue and Randolph Street. The CTA #20 Madison Bus also runs west on Madison Street from Wabash Street and stops at the arena.
Is there free parking near United Center?
Free parking near United Center is very limited on event days. Street parking on Washington and Wolcott Streets is within walking distance but is heavily restricted with many blocks posted as residential-permit-only or temporary tow-away zones. Arriving at least three hours before tip-off gives you the best chance of finding a free spot.
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