The United Center is home to both the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL and the Chicago Bulls of the NBA.

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 Shania Twain, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, Barbra Streisand, Madonna, Britney Spears, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Kanye West, Van Halen, Celine Dion, Beyonce, and many other well known performers.

U2 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. Also, Miley Cyrus as herself and her alter ego, Hannah Montana performed there on January 14, 2008 which was sold-out in minutes.

The United Center's configuration for Hockey games.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.

On February 15th, 2008, the Spice Girls performed to a sold out crowd as part of their The Return of the Spice Girls Tour. It was their first performance in Illinois as a five piece.