Chicago Bulls — Restaurant in West Chicago Township

A Disheartening First NBA Experience at the Chicago Bulls Game

Attending my first Chicago Bulls game was supposed to be a memorable experience, but it turned out to be deeply disappointing. From the start, it was impossible to ignore the glaring issue of half the stadium remaining empty for the entirety of the game. Despite these vacant seats, the Bulls organization does not allow seat upgrades, reinforcing an atmosphere of exclusivity and inaccessibility.

It became evident that the Bulls and the NBA as a whole are complicit in perpetuating class oppression under the guise of being “for the city of Chicago.” While discounted tickets are offered, these come with significant limitations that alienate fans from the full experience. For instance, those with discounted seats are denied access to the tunnel to interact with players or attempt to get autographs—reserving such moments for those who can afford premium prices. The same applies to promotional giveaways and t-shirt tosses, which are designed to cater only to fans in closer, pricier sections.

The most dystopian aspect of the experience was sitting in a stadium filled with empty seats while being told I couldn’t move closer. This strict adherence to ticketing policies, even when seats are unoccupied, reflects a system driven by greed and profit over community and inclusivity. It’s demoralizing to think that access to players or a “real” Bulls experience is determined solely by money and status, shutting out the average Chicagoan.

For an organization that claims to represent Chicago, the Bulls seem disconnected from the city’s residents. Attending a game shouldn’t feel like an exercise in economic disparity, but rather an opportunity to unite fans across all walks of life. Instead, the rigid and profit-driven structure made the experience hollow and deeply frustrating.

Until the Bulls and the NBA make meaningful changes to create an inclusive environment for all fans—not just those with deep pockets—I can’t recommend attending a game, especially if you’re seeking an authentic connection to the team and...

United center is a great venue and the marketing department of the team and the game day experience team are all first rate. The game day experience is outstanding. Everything about this is great except the team on the floor. Both the coaching staff and the front office of the Bulls are amongst the worst in the league. It's on par with the Knicks and the cavaliers and the Kings.

So if you are a fan, know that this team stinks and will continue to stink till the whole GarPax and Boylen are gone. But if you accept that fact, you can enjoy the experience. If you are going to see a great game, you will be disappointed.

ETA: The recent turnover of team management is a great thing. The Bulls are eminently watchable...

This rating is about their entertainment department management. The entertainers themselves are AMAZING. However, the people in charge of entertainment are EXTREMELY unorganized and unprofessional imo. Trying to schedule/hire Benny the Bull for a children's event is not possible. The managers of entertainment barely respond to requests. I heard they also just laid off several of their top entertainment groups for unknown reasons, the drumline was one of those groups 😳. They used to have the best entertainment.... not sure...