Sports Travel

Blackhawks hockey in Chicago: the loudest anthem in sports

The United Center, the cheering-during-the-anthem tradition, and an Original Six franchise. How to plan a hockey weekend in Chicago.

By the Dayfari editors · 2026-09-28 · Chicago, USA

Chicago Blackhawks games have the most famous tradition in hockey: the crowd cheers through the entire national anthem, louder than the singer, every single game. It's been going on for decades and it gives visiting fans chills. The United Center during the anthem is a bucket-list sports moment.

The Blackhawks are an Original Six franchise with a dynasty in recent memory, and the building they share with the Bulls is one of the league's best. Hockey season (fall through spring) is also a great time to visit Chicago.

Tickets and timing

Blackhawks tickets are more accessible than the NBA games in the same building, especially on weeknights. The 300 level at the United Center has fine sightlines; hockey's speed reads well from up high.

Photo: Michael Barera · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Check the Blackhawks' Dayfari page for the schedule and ticket links. The United Center often hosts the Bulls and Blackhawks on back-to-back nights; a basketball-hockey doubleheader weekend is one of the best sports trips in America.

Game night: the anthem and after

Be in your seat for the anthem. That's the whole advice. The building goes from buzzing to deafening, the flags come out, and 20,000 people drown out the singer. It's the rare tradition that exceeds the hype.

Photo: Tony Webster · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

After: the West Loop's Restaurant Row is the post-game move, or the bars around the arena. Chicago winters are serious; the arena's warmth and the crowd's energy are the perfect antidote to a freezing night.

The Chicago weekend

Winter Chicago leans indoor: the Art Institute (one of the world's great museums), the architecture boat tour (it runs year-round; bundle up), deep dish, and the theater district. The city's winter festival calendar is underrated.

Check our Chicago pages for what's on around your game. A Friday show, a Saturday hockey game, a Sunday museum day: that's the winter Chicago weekend at its best.