Step Inside: Bridgestone Arena – Home of the Nashville Predators

Home of the Nashville Predators

Bridgestone Arena is home to the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Located at 501 Broadway (on the corner of Broadway and 5th Avenue), the multi-use arena was built in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Its design is an homage to Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium — the original home of the Grand Ole Opry.

Over the course of its history, Bridgestone Arena has also been the home stadium of multiple music city sports franchises, including the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League and the Nashville Stampede of Professional Bull Riders, and sporting events, such as the SEC men’s basketball tournament, SEC women’s basketball tournament and the NCAA Tournament. It has also hosted major country music awards shows like the CMT Music Awards and the CMA Awards.

Below, take a step into Bridgestone Arena, including the stadium’s history, parking and admission, and capacity and seating options, as well as food and beverage options inside the arena.

Bridgestone Arena History

Bridgestone Arena opened in 1996. Originally known as Nashville Arena, the venue’s name changed over the years to Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center before being christened with its current name in 2010.

The arena was the site of the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, and the Predators hosted the NHL Entry Draft at the venue in 2003 and 2023. The arena was also home to games 3, 4 and 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, a series that the Predators ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

From 1997 to 2001 — and again from 2005 to 2007 — Bridgestone Arena was also the home complex of the short-lived Nashville Kats franchise of the Arena Football League. Other sporting events held at the complex include the 1997 U.S. Figure Skating Championships and multiple years of men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments (including the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four).

Due to its proximity to Nashville’s Music Row, Bridgestone Arena has also hosted numerous special events in country music throughout its history, including annual iterations of the CMT Music Awards and the Country Music Association Awards. It is also a popular live music venue, having hosted concerts from the likes of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Adele, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eagles, Jason Aldean, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham and many more.

 

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Parking and Admission at Bridgestone Arena

The Nashville Predators have partnered with Metropolis as the official parking provider for Bridgestone Arena.

Attendees can purchase parking ahead of time at dozens of Metropolis parking facilities within a short distance from the venue, including garages at Fifth + Broadway, Pinnacle at Symphony Place, Nashville Yards, First Baptist Church of Nashville, Fifth Ave of the Arts and Music City Center. Complimentary parking is also offered at Nissan Stadium with free, two-way shuttle service to Bridgestone Arena. Accessible parking is available at the Sixth Avenue Garage.

Prohibited items inside Bridgestone Arena include animals (service animals excluded), backpacks, bottles or cans, coolers, camping/folding chairs, drones or any other type of UAV, fireworks, outside food and drink (including alcohol), frisbees and/or beach balls, gifts (for artists, athletes or event participants), GoPros or other camcorders, grills of any size, heaters of any kind (including but not limited to propane and electric), hoverboards, bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates/shoes, wagons, inflatables (including balloons), laptops or tablets (credentialed members of the media excluded), laser pointers, luggage, poles or sticks of any kind (such as flagpoles, broomsticks and selfie sticks), tents, tarps, sleeping bags, two-way radios, noise-making devices (including but not limited to air horns, sirens, whistles, cowbells and megaphones), weapons of any kind (including but not limited to firearms, knives, stun guns, pepper spray, mace and/or dangerous devices of any type), illegal drugs and substances of any kind, and any item deemed inappropriate or hazardous by arena security.

Bags must be 12” x 12” x 6” or smaller to be permitted inside the venue.

Bridgestone Arena Capacity & Seating Options

Bridgetone Arena has a seating capacity of 17,159 for ice hockey and 18,500 for basketball, split between four levels of seating and 72 luxury seats. For concerts, floor seating is added, bringing the venue’s total seating capacity up to 20,000. A seating chart of the venue can be viewed on Ticketmaster.com.

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available (with companion seating) on every level of the arena. Patrons in need of wheelchair seating can call 615-722-1657 to request assistance.

Food & Beverage Options at Bridgestone Arena

Food and beverage vendors located throughout Bridgestone Arena include Puckett’s BBQ, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Humphrey’s Street Coffee and Christie Cookie Co. as well as stands offering hot dogs, burgers, cheesesteaks, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, tacos, walking tacos, popcorns, snacks, drinks, and a wide variety of alcoholic beverages.

Bridgestone Arena is also home to an on-site restaurant, Pete and Terry’s Tavern (formerly Tavern ‘96), located just outside the Nissan SoBro Entrance. Food, handcrafted cocktails, mocktails, beer and wine can also be purchased inside the BetMGM Sports Lounge.