Bridgestone Arena: What to Know Before You Go (2026)
- Where: 501 Broadway at 5th Avenue, the corner of Lower Broadway. Main door is the Nissan Main Entrance (5th & Broadway); the second is the Nissan SoBro Entrance (5th & Demonbreun).
- Doors: 90 minutes before Predators games and before most concerts, unless the event page says otherwise. No re-entry.
- Bags: nothing larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches, no backpacks of any size, and no on-site bag storage. Bags smaller than 6 x 4 x 1.5 inches use express lanes.
- Payment: cashless. Cards and mobile pay only, including at the box office, which opens on event days only.
- Predators 2026–27: 42 home games through the April 10 finale vs Dallas, including a 1 PM New Year’s Day game vs Florida (nhl.com).
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This Bridgestone Arena guide covers what the venue’s own pages say about getting in, sitting down and getting home. The arena at 501 Broadway is home to the Nashville Predators and Nashville’s biggest indoor concert stage, and in November 2026 it hosts the 60th CMA Awards. It sits at the top of Lower Broadway, so a game or show here usually comes with a honky-tonk before and after. That location is also why its rules on bags, doors and rideshare matter more than at a suburban arena.
Below: entrances and door times, the full bag policy and prohibited items, seating levels and accessibility, food, Predators 2026–27 basics, concert-night logistics, every parking option the arena lists, and a short where-to-stay section. For a full ranking of hotels by walking time to both Bridgestone Arena and Nissan Stadium, see our hotels near Bridgestone Arena and Nissan Stadium guide.
How we researched this: In October 2026 our editors read every policy page on bridgestonearena.com, including the A to Z guide, bag policy, box office, directions and parking, accessibility, and the events calendar. We also used the Predators’ 2026–27 schedule release and food announcement on nhl.com, and hotel registry facts checked October 2026. Walking times were measured with OpenStreetMap pedestrian routing from hotel doors to the Nissan Main Entrance. Policies can change by event, so check your ticket page as well.
Bridgestone Arena entrances, doors and box office
Doors open 90 minutes before Predators games and before concerts unless the event page says otherwise, and re-entry is not allowed. Most fans use the Nissan Main Entrance at 5th Avenue and Broadway, where Will Call is just inside on the left. The Nissan SoBro Entrance at 5th Avenue and Demonbreun is the second public door. Its escalators now reach all four levels, which makes it the quicker way up to the 300 level.
| Topic | Arena policy (checked October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Main entrance | Nissan Main Entrance, 5th Ave & Broadway; Will Call inside on the left |
| Second entrance | Nissan SoBro Entrance, 5th Ave & Demonbreun; escalators to all four levels |
| Garage entrances | Five entry points from the 6th Avenue garage (all accessible) |
| Doors | 90 minutes before Predators games and most concerts |
| Box office | Inside the Nissan Main Entrance; event days only, from 1 PM or 1 hour before doors for Predators games; sells only that day’s event |
| Tickets | Ticketmaster is the only authorized agent; Predators also via NashvillePredators.com or 615-770-2355 |
| Will Call | Photo ID plus the card used to buy |
| Re-entry | Not permitted |
| Payment | Cashless: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, mobile pay |
| Children | Under 2 free on a lap; age 2 and up need a ticket (may vary by event) |
| Smoking | Smoke-free property, including vaping |
Bridgestone Arena bag policy and prohibited items
The Bridgestone Arena bag policy caps bags at 12 x 12 x 6 inches and bans backpacks of any size. Bags between 6 x 4 x 1.5 inches and that maximum, clear ones included, go through X-ray screening and visual inspection. Anything smaller uses the express lanes. The arena has no on-site storage, so a bag that fails the check goes back to your hotel or car.
- Not allowed: backpacks, bags over 12 x 12 x 6 inches, bottles or cans, coolers, outside food and drink (including alcohol), luggage, selfie sticks, laser pointers, two-way radios, noisemakers, drones, fireworks, inflatables, hoverboards, tents and weapons.
- Allowed: empty clear plastic bottles up to 32 oz (water fountains are on every concourse), small compact umbrellas, and handheld signs up to 2 x 3 feet that are not on sticks and do not block views.
- Cameras: small digital cameras may be allowed depending on the event. Professional lenses, GoPros, tablets and tripods are banned, and audio and video recording is not allowed.
- Exceptions: medical bags and diaper bags are allowed after X-ray screening. Email accessibilityservices@powersmgmt.com at least 24 hours ahead for other accommodations.
The backpack rule catches people coming straight from the airport
Bridgestone bans backpacks of every size and stores nothing. If you land at BNA on game day, drop your bags at your hotel first. Hotels near the arena hold luggage before the usual 4 PM check-in.
Seating levels, accessibility and guest services
The bowl has three numbered seating levels. The 100s are off the main concourse, the 200s are on the club level (suites have their own concourse), and the 300s are on the upper concourse. Wheelchair-accessible and companion seats are sold on every level, including the floor when floor seats are sold. The arena advises buying them early, because event-day relocations are not guaranteed (call 615-722-1657 to request one).
- Guest Services: near Sections 103 and 331. Courtesy wheelchairs and assistive listening devices are at 103, with a photo ID held as collateral. In-game help is by text to 615-502-4848.
- Sensory: the arena is certified sensory inclusive with KultureCity. Sensory bags with noise-canceling headphones are at Guest Services near 103, and a sensory room is available at events.
- Accessible parking and entry: accessible stalls are in the 6th Avenue Garage (placard or plate, first come). Accessible entrances are the Nissan Main and SoBro entrances and all five garage entry points.
- Families: a Mother’s Lounge on the club level near Section 213, family restrooms outside Sections 104, 110, 111, 117, 312 and 322, and stroller check at Guest Services.
- First aid and charging: first aid at Sections 111 and 312, phone charging at Sections 103, 309 and 312.
- Interpreters: request a sign interpreter at least two weeks ahead through the box office (615-770-2000).
Food and drinks at Bridgestone Arena in 2026–27
Outside food and drink are not allowed, so plan to eat inside or before you arrive. For the 2026–27 season the Predators added a Loaded Banjo Hot Fry and a Funnel Cake Fry basket at the Banjo Hot Chicken stand (Section 109). The Sausagery in the main food court near Section 104 does footlong bacon-wrapped hot dogs and sausages, and a Walking Taco stand on the 100 level adds a Birria Boom Box Nacho.
The new TennPop bar outside Section 104 sells frozen cocktails in “The Fang,” a sabertooth-shaped cup, and Mister Softee is back in the Nissan Atrium. The BetMGM Sports Lounge has a revamped menu of nachos, sandwiches and quesadillas. Pete & Terry’s Tavern sits just outside the Nissan SoBro Entrance, and the free Predators app has the full concessions map. If you would rather eat before the game, the nearest sit-down options are a block away on Broadway and in Fifth + Broadway across the street. Our Lower Broadway honky-tonk guide covers the pre-game bars.
Nashville Predators 2026–27 season: dates that matter for visitors
The Predators play an 84-game season in 2026–27, with 42 games at Bridgestone Arena, a franchise first. The season opened at home on October 1 against Minnesota and ends at home on April 10 against Dallas at 5 PM. Single-game tickets were scheduled to go on general sale September 1 through Ticketmaster and NashvillePredators.com. Prices vary by game and section, so compare them on the official seat map.
| Upcoming home game (afternoon starts) | Opponent | Puck drop (CT) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 31, 2026 | Tampa Bay | 1 PM |
| Sat, Nov 7, 2026 | St. Louis | 12:30 PM |
| Sat, Nov 21, 2026 | Pittsburgh | 5 PM |
| Fri, Nov 27, 2026 (day after Thanksgiving) | Utah | 12 PM |
| Mon, Nov 30, 2026 | Ottawa | 12 PM |
| Sat, Dec 5, 2026 | Columbus | 1 PM |
| Fri, Jan 1, 2027 (New Year’s Day) | Florida | 1 PM |
| Wed, Jan 20, 2027 | Vancouver | 1 PM |
| Sat, Jan 23, 2027 | Los Angeles | 4 PM |
| Sat, Feb 13, 2027 | Anaheim | 12:30 PM |
| Sat, Mar 20, 2027 | Boston | 4 PM |
| Sat, Apr 3, 2027 | Calgary | 2:30 PM |
| Sat, Apr 10, 2027 (season finale) | Dallas | 5 PM |
Afternoon games are the visitor’s friend. You are out by early evening with the whole Broadway night ahead, and doors at 90 minutes before puck drop mean a 1 PM game opens at 11:30 AM. Other planning dates from the schedule: a 10-day break from February 3 to 12, and the longest homestand, six games from February 23 to March 6. Evening games are listed on the Predators’ schedule page. The New Year’s Day game lands the morning after Nashville’s Big Bash, covered in our New Year’s Eve 2026 guide.
Concert nights and the CMA Awards: what changes
Concerts follow the same door rule, 90 minutes before showtime unless the event page says otherwise. For general-admission shows, lines start at 8 AM on event day at the entrance to the left of the Nissan Main Entrance, on the front plaza. Camping overnight on arena property is banned. The box office sells only that day’s event, and Ticketmaster is the only authorized seller, so resale tickets carry their own risk.
The arena calendar for the rest of 2026 includes Three Days Grace (November 1), Jonas Brothers (November 5), Dave Matthews Band (November 6), the 60th Annual CMA Awards on November 18 and the Disney Descendants, ZOMBIES and Camp Rock tour (November 22). Award-show week is its own animal: see our CMA Awards visitor guide. Looking further ahead, the Broadway 2030 renovation will close the arena each summer for three summers starting in June 2027, so do not plan on summer shows there from 2027 through 2029.
Bridgestone Arena parking, rideshare and WeGo
The arena’s own garage, attached at 6th Avenue South and Demonbreun, is the closest parking and where the arena’s accessible stalls are. Metropolis is the official operator, and the arena does not publish a price. The cheapest options the arena lists are pre-purchased spots for Predators games, plus a free lot across the river with a shuttle. All of these appear on the arena’s directions page.
| Option (as listed by the arena) | Address | Price / how to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parking at Bridgestone Arena | 6th Ave S & Demonbreun | Not published | Attached; accessible stalls |
| Fifth + Broadway Garage | 600 Broadway | Pay on entry | Directly across the street |
| First Baptist Church lot | 108 7th Ave S | $25 in advance | Next to the arena |
| Fifth Ave. of the Arts Garage | 147 5th Ave N | $10 in advance | Predators games only; uphill at 5th & Church |
| Pinnacle at Symphony Place | 150 3rd Ave S | Pre-purchase available | About two blocks away |
| 222 2nd Ave Garage / Ragland Lot | 222 2nd Ave S / 314 3rd Ave S | Pay on entry or online | SoBro side |
| Nashville Yards Garages | 161 10th Ave N | Pay on entry or online | 10th Ave N between Broadway and Charlotte |
| Nissan Stadium Lot E | 1 Titans Way | Free | Two-way BEEP shuttle every 15–20 min from 2 hours before to 2 hours after; ticket required |
The official drop-off is the eastbound curb lane of Broadway between 6th and 5th Avenues. Lyft is the arena’s rideshare partner, but the arena does not publish a post-event pick-up zone. On Friday and Saturday nights, Metro Police has closed Broadway to cars between Rep. John Lewis Way and 2nd Avenue from 7:30 PM to 1 AM since March 2026, so walk a block to a side street before you request a ride. WeGo Central, the main bus hub, is a short walk away, and Route 18 runs express to BNA for $2. Our downtown parking guide compares hotel valet with public garages, and the car-free Nashville guide covers scooters and buses.
Where to stay near Bridgestone Arena
Stay within an 8-minute walk and skip arena parking entirely. The Hilton is 3 minutes from the main entrance, the Renaissance about 6, and the Four Seasons, Hyatt Centric and Tempo 7–8. Hotel parking runs $48–$58 a night, so walking also saves money. Every Nashville room carries 16.75% tax (9.75% sales tax, including the 0.5% transit surcharge, plus Metro’s 7% occupancy tax) and $2.50 per night, and mandatory fees are taxed too.
| Hotel | Walk to Nissan Main Entrance | Destination fee | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Nashville Downtown | 3 min | $0 | Self $48 / valet $56 |
| Renaissance Nashville Hotel | 6 min | $0 | Self $48 |
| Four Seasons Hotel Nashville | 7 min | $0 | Valet $58 |
| Hyatt Centric Downtown | 8 min | $28 + tax (waived on Hyatt points) | Valet $54 |
| Tempo by Hilton Downtown | 8 min | $25 + tax (includes a daily F&B credit) | Valet $52 |
The Hilton’s two-room suites suit families after a matinee, though it has no pool. The Renaissance has an indoor pool and no fee. The Four Seasons is the quiet luxury option with a river-view infinity pool. Hyatt Centric and Tempo cost less but add a destination fee. Full profiles are in our Hilton Nashville Downtown review and Tempo by Hilton review.
| Hotel | Area | Price level | Walk to Broadway | Pool | Resort fee | Parking | Booking.com |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Nashville Downtown | Core Downtown (1 Block off Lower Broadway) | Upscale | Half a block (100 yards) from Lower Broadway Honky Tonks (1-minute walk) | No pool — 100% all-suite hotel right behind Bridgestone Arena & Country Music Hall of Fame | None ($0 mandatory resort fee) | Valet only: $65/night with in-and-out privileges (no self-parking) | Check prices |
| Renaissance Nashville Hotel | Core Downtown (Adjacent to Fifth + Broadway) | Upscale | 1 block north of Lower Broadway & Ryman Auditorium (2-minute walk; connected to Fifth + Broadway) | Indoor pool | Destination fee: booking sites list $25–$30 + tax per night (confirm at booking) | Valet only: $69/day (no self-parking; Library Garage across the street closed since the June 2025 fire) | Check prices |
| Four Seasons Hotel Nashville | SoBro (1 Block off Lower Broadway) | Luxury | 1 block to Lower Broadway & Ascend Amphitheater (2-minute walk) | 7th-floor heated infinity-edge pool overlooking the Cumberland River | None ($0 mandatory resort or destination fee) | Valet $58/night | Check prices |
| Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville | SoBro (2 Blocks from Lower Broadway) | Upscale | 2 blocks south of Lower Broadway & Pedestrian Bridge (3-minute walk) | 9th-floor heated rooftop pool deck & LaLa’s pool bar | $28 + tax per night (Destination Fee; waived on Hyatt points stays) | Valet $54/night | Check prices |
| Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown | Core Downtown (Adjacent to Nashville Yards & Broadway) | Mid-range | 2 blocks off Broadway (4-minute walk to Lower Broadway & Fifth + Broadway) | 5th-floor outdoor heated pool & Lovelorn rooftop bar terrace | $25 + tax per night (includes daily F&B credit) | Valet $52/night | Check prices |
Hilton Nashville Downtown
- 100% Two-Room Suites (separate living room + bedroom)
- NO Resort Fee ($0/night)
- About 4 min on foot to Bridgestone Arena, 5 min to the Ryman
- Soaring sunlit atrium
The closest all-suite hotel to Honky Tonk Highway—located half a block off Lower Broadway across from Bridgestone Arena and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Renaissance Nashville Hotel
- Directly connected to Fifth + Broadway & Assembly Food Hall
- 1 block from Ryman Auditorium
- Indoor pool
- Large meeting hotel near Music City Center
Connected directly to the Fifth + Broadway dining and shopping complex, one block from Ryman Auditorium and Lower Broadway.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Four Seasons Hotel Nashville
- NO Resort Fee ($0/night)
- 7th-floor infinity pool over Cumberland River
- Bacco Tuscan steakhouse (opened April 2026) & Rivière Rooftop
- 1 block from Lower Broadway & Country Music Hall of Fame
Five-star contemporary luxury just one block south of Lower Broadway, pairing a 7th-floor infinity pool over the Cumberland River with zero resort fees.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Tempo by Hilton Nashville Downtown
- New 16-story lifestyle Hilton tower (opened 2024)
- 5th-floor outdoor pool & Lovelorn bar
- Bluestone Lane Australian coffee shop
- 2 blocks from Broadway
Opened in 2024 just two blocks off Broadway, featuring a 5th-floor outdoor pool terrace, Lovelorn rooftop lounge and Bluestone Lane café.
Prices vary according to travel dates and availability.
Sources and How We Verified This
- Bridgestone Arena: bag policy: size limits, backpack ban, no storage, medical and diaper bag exceptions.
- Bridgestone Arena: A to Z guide: entrances, drop-off, prohibited items, cashless, re-entry, guest services, families.
- Bridgestone Arena: box office: door times, box office hours, authorized ticketing.
- Bridgestone Arena: directions and parking: garages, prices, Lot E shuttle, Lyft, WeGo Route 18.
- Bridgestone Arena: accessibility: accessible seating, entrances, sensory bags, assistive listening.
- Bridgestone Arena: events: November 2026 calendar including the CMA Awards.
- Nashville Predators 2026–27 schedule (nhl.com): home dates, afternoon games, break.
- Predators 2026–27 food and Broadway 2030 update (nhl.com): new concessions, escalators, summer closures from 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Bridgestone Arena have a clear bag policy?
Not a clear-only policy. Bridgestone Arena allows bags up to 12 x 12 x 6 inches, clear or not, after X-ray screening, and bags under 6 x 4 x 1.5 inches use express lanes. Backpacks of any size and anything larger are refused, and the arena offers no bag storage. Medical and diaper bags are allowed after screening.
What time do doors open at Bridgestone Arena?
Doors open 90 minutes before Predators games and 90 minutes before concerts and other events, unless the event page lists a different time. The box office opens on event days at 1 PM, or one hour before doors for Predators games, and sells tickets only for that day’s event. Re-entry is not permitted once you are inside.
Where is the best place to park for a Predators game?
The arena lists its attached 6th Avenue garage and the Fifth + Broadway garage across the street as the closest. Pre-paid options include the First Baptist lot at $25 and the Fifth Ave. of the Arts garage at $10 (Predators games only). Nissan Stadium Lot E is free, with a shuttle running from 2 hours before to 2 hours after the game.
Is Bridgestone Arena cashless?
Yes. Bridgestone Arena is a cashless venue that accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and mobile payment at concessions and the box office. Box office purchases require a card in the buyer’s name and a photo ID. Broadway honky-tonks are separate businesses with their own payment rules.
Which hotel is closest to Bridgestone Arena?
Hilton Nashville Downtown at 121 4th Avenue South is about 3 minutes on foot from the Nissan Main Entrance and charges no resort fee. The Renaissance is about 6 minutes away, and the Four Seasons, Hyatt Centric and Tempo by Hilton are 7–8 minutes. Our hotels near Bridgestone Arena guide ranks more options by walking time.
