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On the University of Illinois Chicago campus just west of downtown, Credit Union 1 Arena hosts NCAA Division I basketball, concerts, comedy, family entertainment, boxing, commencements, and rallies in a compact bowl-style setting. Credit Union 1 Arena tickets put fans close to the floor or court at a versatile Near West Side arena built for energetic campus events and touring shows alike.
This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.
Credit Union 1 Arena is an indoor multi-purpose arena located at the University of Illinois Chicago. It opened in 1982 as UIC Pavilion, was later known as The Pavilion, and was renamed Credit Union 1 Arena in 2018 following a naming-rights agreement, with renovations completed around that period. Owned and operated by UIC, the arena holds approximately 6,500 to 9,500 guests depending on the event setup, including roughly 6,958 for basketball and up to around 9,500 for concerts and full-house events.
The arena is home to the UIC Flames men's and women's basketball programs, both competing in NCAA Division I. Beyond basketball, Credit Union 1 Arena hosts concerts across genres, comedy shows, family entertainment, boxing and combat sports, political rallies, and university events such as commencements and convocations. Its mid-size footprint gives it a more intimate feel than Chicago's larger downtown venues, with bowl-style seating arranged around a central court or floor.
Credit Union 1 Arena also holds a notable place in Chicago political history, drawing national attention in March 2016 when a scheduled Donald Trump campaign rally was canceled amid large protests, and it has welcomed touring acts including The Strokes.
Credit Union 1 Arena is located at 525 S. Racine Ave., Chicago, IL 60607 — on the UIC campus on the Near West Side, just west of downtown Chicago and close to the Eisenhower Expressway.
Transit: Credit Union 1 Arena is served by Chicago CTA transit. The CTA Blue Line's UIC-Halsted station is nearby, and multiple bus routes serve the UIC campus and Near West Side. Transit is a practical option because the arena sits close to downtown Chicago and is connected to a dense city transit network.
Driving and Parking: The arena is located just off the Eisenhower Expressway, with convenient access from the Loop. Campus parking structures and lots are available near the venue, and arriving early is advised for popular events when parking demand and campus-area traffic increase.
Rideshare: Rideshare drop-off and pickup are straightforward because of the arena's central location. For high-demand shows and games, expect brief post-event waits and allow extra time around nearby campus streets.
Nearby Accommodation: Numerous downtown Chicago and West Loop hotels are within a short distance of Credit Union 1 Arena, giving visitors easy access by car, rideshare, or transit.
Credit Union 1 Arena has a compact indoor layout built around a single primary seating bowl, which makes it easier to understand before arrival than many larger multi-level arenas. Knowing your section and entry plan ahead of time helps you move from the concourse to your seats efficiently, especially on busy concert nights and basketball game days.
Entrances and Access: Main entrances open onto the concourse surrounding the seating bowl, with entry from the UIC campus side along Racine Avenue. Once inside, guests move from the concourse into the lower or upper seating areas arranged around the central floor or court.
Concourse Levels: The arena uses a single primary bowl with lower and upper seating sections. A surrounding concourse serves the seating bowl, and concert configurations may add floor seating or general admission depending on the show.
Accessibility: Accessible seating and services are available at Credit Union 1 Arena, with ADA-accessible seating offered within the bowl.
Getting to Your Section: Staff and signage direct guests to sections from the concourse. Because the bowl is relatively compact, navigation is straightforward, though upper sections may involve standard stair access.
Credit Union 1 Arena offers concession stands with standard arena fare and beverages. Alcohol is typically available at concerts and events, and lines can build close to showtime, tipoff, and other peak arrival periods, so arriving early can make the food and beverage stop easier.
The surrounding Near West Side offers convenient pre-event and post-event dining options. Little Italy along Taylor Street, the West Loop, and Greektown are all close by, giving fans access to a wide range of restaurants before heading to the arena.
Credit Union 1 Arena maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.
Bag Policy: A bag policy with size restrictions typically applies at Credit Union 1 Arena. Smaller bags are generally permitted, while larger bags may be prohibited, and requirements can vary by event.
Commonly Prohibited Items: Commonly restricted items include weapons, outside food and drink, professional cameras, and other items specified for the event.
Re-Entry: Re-entry is typically not permitted once a guest exits. Re-entry rules can vary by event and are shown on the event listing.
Entry Procedures: Guests should expect bag checks, security screening, and digital ticket verification at entry. Arriving with a compliant bag and pre-downloaded tickets helps speed up the process at the arena entrance.
Credit Union 1 Arena is part of a deep Chicago live-events market that includes major professional sports venues, historic theaters, campus arenas, and outdoor concert spaces. Fans in the area can find everything from NBA and NHL games to landmark theater performances and lakefront concerts.
Credit Union 1 Arena ticket prices vary widely depending on the type of event, the artist or team, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from UIC Flames basketball to touring concerts and full-house events.
UIC Flames basketball tickets can start around $10 and typically range up to about $40, with premium seats priced higher. Matchup, day of week, seating location, and demand can all affect the final price.
Concerts and touring shows at Credit Union 1 Arena are generally priced around $35 to $125 or more, depending on the act and seating location. Floor seats, lower-bowl seats, and high-demand artists can push prices higher.
Comedy and family shows are typically in the range of about $25 to $75, with prices changing based on the performer, event type, seating section, and demand.
Buying earlier generally offers better seat selection and pricing for high-demand concerts and marquee games. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, prices for the best remaining sections often rise.
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Credit Union 1 Arena uses a single seating bowl with lower and upper sections surrounding the central court or floor. For concerts, the setup can add floor seating or general admission areas, so reviewing the event's seating map before buying is important.
You can view an interactive seating map for Credit Union 1 Arena events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage or court, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.
Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage or court, and whether you're in a lower section, in an upper section, or on the floor for a concert — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.
Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make your visit run significantly smoother — especially at a campus arena where parking, security screening, and event-night traffic can shape your arrival.
Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Credit Union 1 Arena tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:
Credit Union 1 Arena events — particularly marquee artists, high-demand concerts, and UIC Flames matchups — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse Credit Union 1 Arena tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.
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