Fighting Illini, are you listening? March Madness is returning to Chicago.

For the first time since 2005, Chicago will play host to the Midwest Regional of the 2016 NCAA tournament.

As a result, the Madhouse on Madison will also host a pair of Sweet Sixteen games as well as an Elite Eight game, the winner of which will advance to the Final Four in Houston.

In 2005 it was not the United Center that hosted the regional, but the the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, where Deron Williams and the Fighting Illini won their last regional championship en route to a run to the national championship game.

The last time the United Center hosted any NCAA tournament games was in 2011, when they welcomed a few bouts in the rounds of 64 and 32.

Chicago In the Spotlight

It seems Chicago has become quite the destination for big time sporting events, as just last month it was announced that Chicago would be the new home of the 2015 NFL Draft after a 50 year run in New York.

Now all eyes will be on Chicago during one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year for Sweet Sixteen games being played on March 25, 2016 and the Elite Eight regional-title game on March 27, 2016.

In addition to these dates, the United Center is also hosting the Big Ten tournament this season.