As announced by the program this morning, the Northwestern men’s basketball team will be playing its entire 2017-2018 home slate at Allstate Arena while Welsh-Ryan Arena undergoes major renovations. While Allstate is no stranger to basketball and large events in general (it has hosted music stars from Justin Bieber to Mötley Crue to Kanye West to Van Halen), it’s certainly not the cozy home Northwestern fans have come to know over the years at Welsh-Ryan.
Here’s what you need to know about Allstate Arena:
Location: Rosemont, Illinois
Distance from campus: about16 miles (just over half an hour per Google Maps)
Public Transportation: CTA Pace Bus Route 222; Rosemont Blue Line stop
Opened: 1980
Capacity: up to 18,500
Home to: DePaul Blue Demons (NCAA), Chicago Wolves (American Hockey League), Chicago Sky (Women’s National Basketball League)
Seating policy: 2016-2017 season ticket holders will receive priority for 2017-2018 seating at Allstate and then again for the new Welsh-Ryan Arena in 2018-2019
Things nearby: Shoeless Joe’s Alehouse and Grille, Fashion Outlets of Chicago, iFLY Indoor Skydiving, King’s Bowl