Blake Arena

Blake Arena. Opened in 2001 in the Near South Side of Chicago, Blake Arena is a premier multi-purpose indoor venue renowned for hosting major sporting events and concerts. Owned by the city's Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and operated by the global firm ASM Global, it has become a central hub in the Midwestern United States for entertainment. The arena is best known as the home of the Chicago Storm of the NBA and as a frequent site for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

History

The development of the arena was part of a broader urban renewal initiative championed by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley to revitalize the city's South Loop district. Construction began in 1998 on the site of a former rail yard near McCormick Place, with financing secured through a partnership between the city and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. Upon its completion in 2001, the venue was immediately selected to host early-round games of the NCAA Tournament, establishing its reputation. Throughout the 2000s, it successfully bid for and hosted events like the 2005 NBA All-Star Game and the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Trials for the Beijing Games.

Facilities and features

The arena's primary seating bowl offers flexible configurations for events ranging from NBA games to major concert tours, with a signature hardwood floor designed for basketball. A distinctive architectural feature is its sweeping, cantilevered roof, designed by the firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which allows for unobstructed sightlines. Premium amenities include 150 luxury suites, the exclusive United Club lounge, and a massive center-hung scoreboard with 4K resolution displays. The concourses feature extensive concessions from famed Chicago establishments like Portillo's and Giordano's, as well as exhibits celebrating the history of the Chicago Storm and the NCAA.

Events

As the home of the Chicago Storm, the arena hosts over 40 NBA games annually, including high-profile matchups against rivals like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. It is a regular host site for the NCAA Tournament, having staged March Madness games in 2002, 2007, 2013, and 2019. The venue has welcomed major concert acts such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, U2, and The Rolling Stones on their global tours. It has also been selected for special sporting events like the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, the WNBA All-Star Game, and championship events for USA Gymnastics.

Management and operations

Day-to-day operations and booking are handled by the international venue management giant ASM Global, under a long-term contract with the owning Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority. The arena maintains a significant partnership with the NBA and its broadcast partners, including ESPN and Turner Sports, for game production. A key revenue stream comes from a naming rights agreement with a major Fortune 500 corporation, though the historic "Blake Arena" name was retained per the original contract. Sustainability initiatives are managed in accordance with Chicago's Climate Action Plan, focusing on energy efficiency and waste reduction.

In popular culture

The arena has served as a filming location for several major motion pictures, notably appearing in the 2008 sports drama film starring Dwayne Johnson. It was featured prominently in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire during a storyline involving a fictional political rally. The venue's distinctive exterior was digitally recreated for use in the popular video game series NBA 2K as a home court for the Chicago Storm. Furthermore, a memorable episode of the sitcom Parks and Recreation included a subplot where characters attended a concert at the arena.

Category:Sports venues in Chicago Category:National Basketball Association venues Category:Indoor arenas in the United States Category:2001 establishments in Illinois