Bridgestone Arena
Home of the Nashville Predators and the anchor of Lower Broadway's entertainment district. With crowds that top 17,000 for hockey and some of the loudest arenas in the NHL, a Preds game here is a full-volume introduction to Smashville.
Bridgestone Arena opened in 1996 as the Nashville Arena, built on the bet that an NHL expansion team could work in a country music town with zero hockey history. That bet paid off in a way few predicted: the Predators built one of the most devoted fan bases in the league, and "Smashville" — the arena's nickname during Preds games — is now a genuine gameday experience rather than a marketing line. Catfish occasionally land on the ice, the pregame light show and sword-raising ritual are unapologetically over the top, and the crowd noise regularly rivals anything in the NHL.
The arena sits directly on Broadway, one block from the honky-tonks, which means a Preds game folds naturally into a night out downtown rather than requiring a special trip. Inside, premium options include the 501 Club and Lexus Lounge for those who want table service with their hockey, while the upper bowl gets loud enough that conversation becomes optional. Beyond hockey, Bridgestone hosts the CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, and a steady rotation of arena concerts and family shows, so it's worth checking the calendar even outside of Preds season.
It's built for a downtown crowd: come for a playoff game if you can get tickets, or catch a regular-season game as an easy, high-energy add-on to a Broadway weekend. The arena is also mid-renovation as part of a long-term "Broadway 2030" upgrade plan, so expect ongoing improvements to concourses and premium spaces in the coming seasons.
Highlights
- —Predators games regularly sell out and rank among the NHL's loudest arenas
- —One block from Lower Broadway — easy to combine with honky-tonk hopping
- —Box office only opens on event days; buy ahead online rather than walking up
- —Premium options include the 501 Club and Lexus Lounge for table-service seating
- —Also hosts the CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, and major concert tours
Insider tip
Skip arena parking garages and park a few blocks south near SoBro or across the river — it's a flat, short walk to Broadway and you'll avoid the worst of the post-game exit crawl.