Here’s how to get in the ‘Hawks’ game.
Regular home season: Opener: Oct. 10 vs. the New Jersey Devils. Finale: April 17 vs. the Detroit Red Wings.
Tickets: The United Center seats 20,500 for hockey: 100-level seats are $75 each; 200-level seats cost $60 each for the “club level center” and $50 for the “club circle” located behind the nets; 300-level seats are $40 for the first seven rows, $25 for rows 8-12 and $15 for rows 13-17. About 7,500 seats remain for each game.
Tickets are available at the United Center box office 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, through Ticketmaster (312-559-1212) and at Ticketmaster outlets including Dominick’s food stores, Tower Records, Blockbuster Music and Carson Pirie Scott department stores. For updated season ticket information, call the Blackhawks (312-943-7000).
Big games: Of special interest are 1999 home games against Western Conference-Central Division foes the Detroit Red Wings ( Jan. 3, Feb. 12, April 17 ) and St. Louis Blues ( Feb. 28, March 14, March 28 ).
Promotions: 1999 season promos include cap nights (Dec. 11, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, March 17, March 21) and Beanie Baby night (Oct. 24).
Also, in the Junior Hawks program, teams belonging to the Illinois Amateur Hockey Association that purchase 100 or more $15, $25 or $40 tickets are allowed to have their team play a game on the ice.
Getting there: From I-290 going east, exit at Western; going west exit at Damen. From I-90/94, exit at I-290 (toward western suburbs) and then north (right) at Damen. From downtown, take Madison, or take Randolph or Lake Street to Ogden and head south (left) to Madison. Congestion is likely between 2 and 7 p.m. weekdays and on Saturday nights.
Parking: There are many lots around the park, most of which are operated by the United Center. Rates are $5-$10 (a couple of dollars more during playoffs). The $5 lots three blocks down Madison are fine, however street parking is not secure.
Transit tips: Safest options are special Chicago Transit Authority bus 19-Stadium Express (along North Michigan Avenue and Madison before and after the game) and 20-Madison; for daytime games consider taking Green Line elevated trains (Ashland stop; walk three blocks south to Madison and three blocks west to the United Center – this option is safer for adult groups than for individuals).
Scalpers: Game sold out? A ticket broker might be an option, but watch with whom you deal. The Illinois Scalping Act requires ticket brokers to be licensed by the Secretary of State. Only brokers doing business on “a regular and ongoing basis” at “one or more fixed locations” are allowed to sell tickets at more than face value. (That means the $30 box seat you buy from a guy on the street is contraband.) The law also requires that anyone selling tickets through a newspaper include a ticket broker’s license number.
Party places: Even though he no longer is a Blackhawk, Chris Chelios and his family still operate Cheli’s Chili Bar, a big sports bar & beanery near the United Center. It remains a favorite with Blackhawks fans. Located a slapshot away across the expressway in Little Italy, Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill Chicago also is a popular stop.
