Bridgestone Arena: Guide for Visiting Fans

Nashville doesn't have a subway, so let's be honest about what you're working with. Public transportation is largely an afterthought in Nashville, so if you're not already staying in the downtown area, you're likely driving. That said, if you're flying in, WeGo Public Transit operates Route 18, which will take you to and from Nashville International Airport (BNA) on an express route for a fare of $2 one-way. BNA is about 8–10 miles from the arena; expect roughly 30–40 minutes on the bus depending on traffic, or 20 minutes in a rideshare outside of surge. The WeGo Star is a commuter rail service, and the line stops at Riverfront Station, which is the closest rail stop — about a half-mile walk east to the arena along Broadway.

Downtown is pretty easy to access via Interstates 40, 24, and 65, all of which lead into Nashville, and from there the key is to get as close as possible to Fifth Avenue and Broadway, where the arena is located. Lyft is the official rideshare partner of Bridgestone Arena and the Nashville Predators. The designated drop-off point is on the eastbound curb lane of Broadway between 6th and 5th Avenues.

Arrive early or accept that you're going to be circling. Bridgestone Arena has an official parking garage — the 6th Avenue Garage — located on the corner of 6th Avenue South and Demonbreun Street; spaces are limited and largely restricted to permitted parkers, with rates varying by event. The best-value lot attached to the arena itself is the First Baptist Church lot, adjacent to Bridgestone Arena at the corner of 6th Avenue and Demonbreun, available for $25 purchased in advance.

The real sleeper deal is across the river: the Nashville Predators offer complimentary parking for home games at Nissan Stadium, Lot R, with optional two-way shuttle service to Bridgestone Arena (5–7 minutes), or fans can walk via the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge (10–12 minutes). Lot R and shuttle service opens 2 hours before every Nashville Predators game and runs every 15–20 minutes until 2 hours after the game. That's free parking with a $3 round-trip shuttle — it's the obvious move if you're not paying for convenience. For mid-range options, the Fifth Avenue of the Arts garage, two blocks away between Church and Commerce streets, costs $10 for arena events, though the walk back after the game is uphill. The Music City Center is located right next to Bridgestone Arena and offers the largest covered parking garage in downtown Nashville, with multiple entrances.

You want to be downtown or SoBro (South Broadway). Full stop. The arena's own hotel partners are the Renaissance Nashville Hotel and Omni Nashville Hotel — both are walkable, both are going to feel like being in the middle of a country music convention on game night, but that's exactly the point. The Omni connects directly to the Music City Center and is an easy 3-minute walk. The Cambria Hotel Nashville Downtown is 0.2 miles away, the Hyatt Place Nashville Downtown is 0.3 miles, and the Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown is 0.3 miles. If you want something quieter and slightly cheaper, look at the Gulch neighborhood, about 10 minutes on foot — you'll still be within walking distance but removed from the honky-tonk noise at 2 a.m. Budget travelers should check options north of the Cumberland River in East Nashville, with a quick rideshare or WeGo Star ride back.

Legends Corner is the real one. Legends Corner is a pub just 0.1 miles from the arena, a genuine honky-tonk with live music all day and zero pretension. It gets packed before games, which means the vibe is electric — just know you'll be surrounded by gold jerseys.

Robert's Western World is right next door on Broadway — also 0.1 miles from the arena, and one of the few places on Lower Broad that actually feels like it belongs there rather than having been built to feel that way. Get the fried bologna sandwich.

Pete & Terry's Tavern is the arena's own pregame bar, located just outside the Nissan SoBro Entrance at Bridgestone Arena — a solid spot for craft beer, food, and sports programming. It's open beginning at 11 a.m. each day, including Sundays if there's an event, with happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. every day. Convenient but expect heavy Preds representation.

Prince's Hot Chicken (6th and Peabody location) is worth making a detour for. The legendary hot chicken shop Prince's has a location at 6th and Peabody, two blocks south of the arena. Go medium unless you've done this before.

For enhanced safety and speed of entry, the arena strongly discourages guests from bringing bags. If a bag is necessary: backpacks of any size are prohibited; bags larger than 12"×12"×6" are not allowed; bags between 6"×4"×1.5" and 12"×12"×6" — including clear bags — are subject to x-ray screening; and bags smaller than 6"×4"×1.5" may proceed through express screening lanes. Outside food and beverages are not permitted, with exceptions for medical or infant needs.

Doors typically open 90 minutes before Predators games , and with the Broadway party in full swing outside, there's no real reason to rush in earlier than that. The entrance at the corner of Fifth and Broadway is one of two primary entrances into the arena. Away fans tend to be spread across the arena rather than concentrated in one section, so any entrance works — just head toward your section. One practical note: Bridgestone Arena is a cashless facility, so leave the cash in your wallet.

Accessible entrances are located at the Nissan Main Entrance at 5th Avenue and Broadway, the Nissan SoBro Entrance at 5th Avenue and Demonbreun, and at all five entry points in the 6th Avenue Parking Garage. Accessible parking is available in the 6th Avenue Garage; only guests who display a disability placard or license plate will be permitted in accessible stalls. Accessible seating for Nashville Predators games is available in Sections 101, 102, 106, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 115, 119, 120, 201, 223, 302, 304, 308, 314, 320, 321, 322, 324, 327, 331, and 333.

Public elevators are located at the southwest and east sides of the arena; the southwest elevator accesses the main, suite, club, and upper level concourses, while the east elevator accesses all levels except the upper concourse. Bridgestone Arena is certified sensory inclusive and has partnered with KultureCity to provide sensory bags at the Guest Services Center near Section 103; bags include noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards, and weighted lap pads. For advance accessibility arrangements, contact the arena at least 24 hours prior to the event.

There is no designated away section at Bridgestone Arena — visiting fans are scattered throughout, which is actually fine as long as you're not sitting in the thick of the loudest home sections. Bridgestone Arena features three main seating levels: the lower level (100 level), the club level (200 level), and the upper level (300 level).

For away fans, the upper 300 level is your friend — it's loud, sure, but the angles are decent and the seating configuration features no mid-level seating on the south end, with only one level of suites, which brings upper-level seats much closer to the floor than you'd expect. Sections 304–308 (north end) tend to have more neutral or mixed crowds. Avoid sections 109–111 on the south end; that's where Dierks Bentley's Whisky Row is located — an all-inclusive zone in rows F-L and the tabletops of sections 109–111 — and the home energy there is peak Smashville. If budget allows, the 200 level offers a good vantage point without breaking the bank and is generally a bit more relaxed in terms of crowd intensity.

Bridgestone Arena delivers one of the more complete food lineups in the NHL, blending Nashville staples with standard arena options — the menu stretches well beyond hot dogs and nachos, with mac and cheese, barbecue served several ways, and Nashville hot chicken available as both sandwiches and tenders throughout the building. Beer and liquor stands dot the concourses, but the Craft Beer and Pretzels and Music City Taps stands have the best selection of local and regional beers, including Turtle Anarchy Brewing and Yee-Haw Brewing, both Nashville-based. Expect to pay around $12–$14 for a domestic draft and $15–$17 for craft; a meal will run $14–$20. The arena is cashless , so card or phone only.

Let's be direct: this is one of the most charged arenas in the NHL, and you will feel it. Predators fans have built a reputation for turning Bridgestone Arena into one of the loudest barns in hockey — during the 2017 Western Conference Final, sound levels climbed to just shy of 130 decibels, comparable to a jet engine, and that energy is baked into the building's culture on any given Tuesday in November. Wear your team's jersey with confidence, but don't be surprised if you spend most of the third period unable to hear the person next to you. The crowd isn't particularly hostile toward away fans in a mean-spirited way — Nashvillians are too friendly for that — but they are relentlessly loud and completely invested. One thing you'll notice: following PA announcer Paul McCann's announcements, the crowd responds in unison with a loud "Thanks, Paul!" — a small tradition that captures the interactive, almost theatrical nature of a Predators game. It's charming enough that you'll probably join in by the second period.

Transit: The WeGo buses serve multiple stops on Broadway and in the WeGo Central Hub area nearby. Local service fares are $2.00 for adults. Post-game frequency is not event-enhanced the way it is in cities with dedicated rail, so buses can be infrequent late at night. If you took the WeGo Star in, Riverfront Station is a half-mile walk and trains run on a regular schedule — check the app before the final buzzer.

Driving: Patrons with complimentary Nissan Stadium Lot R parking receive two-way shuttle service to Bridgestone Arena in 5–7 minutes, and the shuttle keeps running post-game. The 6th Avenue lots can jam up badly heading onto Korean Veterans Blvd — budget 20–30 minutes minimum if you're in the attached garages at final whistle. The Music City Center garage exits onto 7th Avenue, which tends to clear faster toward I-40 east.

Rideshare: Surge pricing after a sold-out Predators game on Broadway is real and can double your fare. The designated drop-off and pickup zone is on the eastbound curb lane of Broadway between 6th and 5th Avenues, but it clogs instantly. Walk three to four blocks north toward Church Street or east toward 2nd Avenue and request your ride there — you'll save money and wait less. Give it 20–25 minutes after the final horn before requesting; the crowd thins fast once it hits the honky-tonks, and you'll get a calmer surge.

Best tip: Stay inside for 10 minutes after the game ends, grab a last beer, and let the first wave of traffic clear. The Broadway bars don't close early, and the lines out the door evaporate surprisingly quickly.

How do I get to Bridgestone Arena from Nashville Airport (BNA)?

WeGo Route 18 runs between Nashville International Airport and downtown on an express route for $2 one-way. Rideshare from BNA typically runs $20–$30 and takes 20–25 minutes outside of rush hour.

What is the bag policy at Bridgestone Arena?

Backpacks of any size are prohibited. Bags larger than 12"×12"×6" are not allowed. Bags between 6"×4"×1.5" and 12"×12"×6" are subject to x-ray screening. Bags smaller than 6"×4"×1.5" go through express lanes. No mandatory clear bag requirement, but clear bags are encouraged.

Does Bridgestone Arena accept cash?

Bridgestone Arena is a cashless venue; mobile payment and most major credit cards — Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover — are accepted.

How much does parking cost near Bridgestone Arena? Options range from $10 at the 5th Ave of the Arts Garage at the corner of 5th Avenue and Church to $25 at the First Baptist Church lot adjacent to the arena. Complimentary parking is available at Nissan Stadium Lot R with optional two-way shuttle service.

When do gates open at Bridgestone Arena?

Doors typically open 90 minutes before Predators games, though it's worth confirming on the official event page as times can vary.

Where are the best seats for away fans? Upper 300-level sections on the north end (304–308) offer solid sightlines and a slightly more mixed crowd. Avoid the south end zone all-inclusive sections (109–111), which are the loudest and most partisan areas in the building.

Is there a designated away fan section? No. Visiting fans are distributed throughout the arena. Buy seats on the north end or in the upper 300s for a more comfortable experience.

What food is Bridgestone Arena known for?

Southern-inspired options play a major role, including mac and cheese, barbecue served several different ways, and Nashville hot chicken available as both sandwiches and tenders throughout the building. The craft beer stands (Music City Taps, Craft Beer and Pretzels) are the best spots for local pours.