Bridgestone Arena opened on December 18, 1996 at 501 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and has grown into one of the most celebrated live entertainment venues in the United States. Designed by HOK Sport (now Populous) with a nod to the city’s musical heritage — its angled corner architecture pays physical homage to the historic Ryman Auditorium — the arena seats up to 20,000 fans for center-stage concerts and around 18,500 for end-stage shows.
Originally called Nashville Arena, the venue has carried several names over the decades, becoming Bridgestone Arena in 2010 under a naming-rights deal with the Japanese tire manufacturer. Operated by a subsidiary of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, it has earned a reputation not just as a hockey house but as a world-class concert destination — nominated for Pollstar Venue of the Year four times and declared the loudest arena in sports in 2017. Artists from Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift to Paul McCartney have taken the stage here, and the CMA Awards have called it home virtually every year since 2006, with the sole exception of 2020, when the pandemic relocated the ceremony to Music City Center across the street.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: 501 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee
- Type: Multi-purpose indoor arena
- Opened: December 18, 1996
- Concert Capacity: Up to 20,000 (center-stage); ~18,500 (end-stage)
- Hockey Capacity: 17,159
- Famous For: CMA Awards host most years since 2006 (moved to Music City Center in 2020 due to COVID-19); declared loudest arena in sports (2017)
- Architect: HOK Sport (now Populous)
A Stage for Legends
Since opening its doors, Bridgestone Arena has welcomed some of the biggest names in music across virtually every genre. Country superstars like Garth Brooks and Kenny Chesney have sold out the floor and upper decks alike, while pop and rock giants including Taylor Swift, Paul McCartney, and countless others have transformed the arena floor into an electric sea of fans. The venue’s flexible seating configurations — including a 5,145-seat Music City Theater mode — allow it to serve everything from intimate club-style shows to full arena spectaculars.
The arena set an attendance record of 19,365 on April 15, 2023, for a show by Nashville-born comedian Nate Bargatze — a testament to the draw the building holds even beyond pure music events. Its acoustic reputation, combined with downtown Nashville’s walkable entertainment district, makes Bridgestone Arena a first-choice stop on virtually every major touring act’s itinerary.
Beyond the Concerts
While live music is a defining pillar of Bridgestone Arena’s identity, the venue doubles as the home ice of the NHL’s Nashville Predators, who have played there since the franchise’s inaugural 1998–99 season. The arena hosted Games 3, 4, and 6 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals, when its boisterous crowds helped fuel national headlines about Nashville’s passionate hockey culture — earning it the ‘loudest arena in sports’ designation that year.
The arena has also staged the 2016 NHL All-Star Game, the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four, multiple SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament rounds, and WWE pay-per-view events, cementing its role as the anchor of Nashville’s sports and entertainment calendar. Its ownership by the Sports Authority of Nashville and Davidson County underscores its status as a civic landmark as much as a commercial venue.
Explore more: Live Music venues hub.
Bridgestone Arena FAQs
Where is Bridgestone Arena located?
Bridgestone Arena is located at 501 Broadway in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, putting it within easy walking distance of the city’s famous honky-tonk strip and numerous hotels.
What is the concert capacity at Bridgestone Arena?
Capacity varies by configuration: up to 20,000 for center-stage concerts, about 18,500 for end-stage shows, and around 10,000 for half-house setups. A convertible Music City Theater mode accommodates roughly 5,145.
When did Bridgestone Arena open and what was it called before?
The arena opened on December 18, 1996 as Nashville Arena. It was later renamed Gaylord Entertainment Center (1999–2007), then Sommet Center (2007–2009), before adopting its current name, Bridgestone Arena, in 2010.
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Photo: Michael Rivera / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.