Chicago is about to have itself a party. The Bulls just made it official: Derrick Rose’s No. 1 jersey will be retired on January 24, 2026, when the team hosts the Boston Celtics at the United Center. That night isn’t just about a basketball game. It’s about celebrating one of the most electrifying players the city has ever seen. After the final buzzer, the Bulls will hold a postgame ceremony on the court to immortalize the kid from Englewood who became an MVP.
And because this is Chicago, you know the Bulls are going all-in. Fans won’t just show up for the game; they’ll be treated to an entire Derrick Rose-themed experience. According to NBA.com, the United Center atrium will be decked out with celebrations presented by BMO, FanDuel, Giordano’s, and Paylocity. Think of it like a festival for the player who made the building shake every time he drove to the rim. The team promises even more details about the ceremony soon, but one thing’s clear already: this will be one for the history books.
To hype the announcement, the Bulls are already putting Rose front and center. Graphics of the former MVP lit up the outside of the United Center and the atrium from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. today, turning the building into a Derrick Rose shrine for fans and passersby. And this isn’t a one-night thing; the team is keeping the Rose love alive all season long.
What To Expect From the Festivities
Here’s the fun part: the Bulls are handing out collectible Derrick Rose figurines at four different games. Each figurine highlights a different chapter of his Bulls journey, letting fans relive the highs, the heartbreaks, and the iconic moments that defined him.
First up, on November 4, 2025, against the Philadelphia 76ers, fans can snag the “Rookie of the Year” Derrick figurine, courtesy of AT&T. Flashback to 2008, when Rose was fresh out of Memphis and immediately made an impact. Averaging 16.8 points, 6.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, he didn’t just show promise; he dominated, winning Rookie of the Year in a landslide with 111 of 120 first-place votes. It was the beginning of a story that had the whole league buzzing.
Then on December 17, 2025, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, fans get “Face Mask” Derrick, sponsored by Culligan International. If you remember the 2015-16 season, Rose fractured his orbital bone in practice, forcing him to wear a protective mask. Even banged up, he gutted out 66 starts and put up 16.4 points per game. That version of Rose symbolized his resilience, never flashy about pain, always fighting through.
The big one drops on February 22, 2026, against the New York Knicks: “MVP” Derrick, sponsored by United Airlines. This figurine represents the peak, the unforgettable 2010-11 season, where Rose became the youngest MVP in league history. Twenty-five points per game, 7.7 assists, 4.1 rebounds, and an Eastern Conference-best 62 wins. That year, Rose wasn’t just a star; he was a phenomenon, putting Chicago back on the map as a contender.
Derrick Rose Is Getting a Proper Send-off by Chicago
And finally, on March 19, 2026, against the Cleveland Cavaliers, comes the “Green Jersey” Derrick figurine, courtesy of Rush University System for Health. It throws back to the 2010-11 season when the Bulls rocked green alternates twice, and won both times. Rose averaged 22 points in those games, proving he could light it up no matter what color he wore.
So what does all of this mean? For Bulls fans, it’s closure and celebration rolled into one. Derrick Rose’s career in Chicago was a rollercoaster, with brilliant highs, crushing injuries, and unforgettable highlights. But no matter what, he always belonged to this city. The chants of “MVP” echoing through the United Center weren’t just about stats; they were about a kid who made Chicago proud.
On January 24, 2026, his No. 1 will rise to the rafters forever, a reminder that legends aren’t defined only by longevity, but by impact. And Derrick Rose’s impact? Unmistakable.
Sofia Bassett 
