The Allstate Arena is located in Rosemont, Illinois, which is part of the Chicago area. The arena is mostly a sports facility for the Chicago Wolves hockey club, DePaul University men's basketball, and Chicago Rush Arena football team. The exact location of the arena is 6920 North Mannheim Road, which is adjacent to the O'Hare International Airport.
Originally the structure was called the Rosemont Horizon. It was supposed to be the home of the WHA Chicago Cougars. Unfortunately the WHA closed before the ground breaking on the arena began in 1977. To fund the arena it was necessary for Rosemont to offer $19 million in bonds. They financed contracts with this money. Araserv, Ringling bros. and MFG International all had exclusive contracts at the arena. In 1979 an accident with construction workers ended five lives and injured 16 others. The incomplete roof collapsed.
In 1999 the town no longer wanted to support the arena, so they sold it to the Allstate Insurance Company. They paid $20 million to renovate the arena and change its name. The arena is considered a cornerstone for the WWE. It has hosted numerous Wrestle Mania events. They have also filmed other pay per view events at the arena like the 1989 Survivor Series, Judgement Day 1998 and 2009. The Great Midwest Conference men's basketball tournament and NCAA basketball tournament has been hosted at the arena.
Over the years there have been hundreds of concerts at the Allstate Arena. For example Fleetwood Mac, Journey, Mariah Carey, Iron Maiden, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Paul McCartney, Madonna, Paula Abdul, and Dave Matthews Band have all played at the arena. More recent events and events to come include American Idols Live, Ricardo Arjona, WWE Monday Night, Britney Spears, Wisin Y Yandel and Pink. All ticket sales for events go through ticketmaster or at the Allstate Arena Box Office.
The box office is open Monday through Friday 11am to 7pm, and Saturday noon to 5pm. The box office is also open three hours prior to events and one hour after the event has started as long as tickets are available. The arena has seating all around with two stationary levels. There can be seating on the floor of the arena when concerts are being held there. The arena can be turned into a concert hall, ice rink, basketball court, or indoor football.
Parking is plentiful at the Allstate Arena. There is parking close to each of the entrances though there is not a parking garage. Parking fees range from $11 to $20 for most events. Buses and Limos are charged extra. Parking is available two hours before an event begins. Close to the arena are places to eat and stay. The hotels include Aloft, Best Western, Candlewood Suites, Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, and the DoubleTree Hotel. There are more hotels than those listed here. Restaurants around the area are Abruzzi, Barnaby's, Bella Sera, Capital Grille, Giannotti Italian Steakhouse, Gold Coast Dogs, and Harry Caray's. There are about a hundred restaurants close by.
