Bridgestone Arena

History and naming

When it opened the building was known by a succession of names, including Nashville Arena, Sommet Center and Gaylord Entertainment Center, before taking the Bridgestone name under a corporate sponsorship agreement. The arena has been a fixed part of Nashville’s downtown revitalization since the late 1990s and has seen periodic upgrades to its public areas, technology and seating to accommodate modern production and fan expectations.

Features and capacity

The venue was designed as a flexible bowl adaptable for ice sports, basketball, concerts and special events. Official seating capacities vary by configuration; for ice hockey the arena seats roughly 17,113 and for basketball around 19,395. The building includes club seating, luxury suites, and modern concessions, along with backstage and production spaces required for large touring shows. It also contains team facilities for the Predators and areas used for community programming and private events.

Tenants and notable events

Primary tenants and regular users have included professional hockey and arena football franchises. The Nashville Predators have played their home games at the arena since the team’s NHL debut. The facility was also home to the Nashville Kats of the Arena Football League for portions of the late 1990s and 2000s. Beyond sports, Bridgestone Arena has hosted nationally televised ceremonies such as the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards and the CMT Music Awards, as well as countless concerts by domestic and international artists.

• Sports: NHL games, playoffs and occasional minor-league or special sporting events (Nashville Predators).
• Music and awards: televised country music shows and arena tours (CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards).
• Other: conventions, family shows, and community gatherings.

Access, significance and notable facts

Positioned in a walkable part of downtown, the arena is accessible by local transit and pedestrian routes that connect to hotels, restaurants and cultural sites including museums and performance halls. Bridgestone holds the arena’s current naming rights and the building continues to be an economic and cultural anchor for the city. Its adaptable design has allowed it to accommodate both intimate performances and large-scale productions, sustaining its role as an important regional venue for live entertainment and sports (venue information, event calendar).