Bridgestone Arena Concert and Event Travel Guide

• Bridgestone Arena sits at 501 Broadway, directly on Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville, a 2-5 minute walk from the honky-tonk district.
• The 20,000-capacity arena hosts Nashville Predators hockey, major concert tours, and family events, with peak touring months running spring through fall.
• Downtown and SoBro hotels put you within a short walk; The Gulch, Vanderbilt, and West End require a rideshare or short drive.
• Doors typically open 60-90 minutes before showtime, and the arena enforces a strict 12" x 12" x 6" clear-or-compliant bag policy with no backpacks allowed.
• Bridgestone Arena is a fully cashless venue, so bring a credit or debit card or set up mobile payment before you arrive.

Event types: Nashville Predators hockey, major touring concerts, the CMA Awards, comedy, and family events. Hotel zones: Downtown/Lower Broadway, SoBro, The Gulch, and Vanderbilt/West End/Airport Area. Transportation modes: walking, rideshare, taxi, hotel shuttle, and WeGo public transit. Timing: arrive 45-90 minutes before doors for a smooth entry.

Bridgestone Arena is a climate-controlled, multi-purpose indoor arena that opened on December 18, 1996 as the Nashville Arena, later cycling through the names Gaylord Entertainment Center and Sommet Center before settling on its current name. The building has been home to the Nashville Predators since 1998, and it regularly hosts SEC basketball tournaments, the CMA Awards, and major arena concerts from artists including Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen.

The arena holds 20,000 fans for concerts, 17,159 for Predators hockey, and 18,500 for basketball, with 72 luxury suites and four distinct seating levels: Floor, Lower Bowl, Club, and Upper Bowl. That range of configurations means the atmosphere and sightlines can shift noticeably between a hockey game, a full-capacity concert, and a basketball tournament, so it's worth checking your specific event's seating chart before you buy.

The arena sits at 501 Broadway, directly on Lower Broadway and directly across from the Fifth + Broadway complex. It's a 2-5 minute walk to the honky-tonk strip and roughly 10-12 minutes on foot to Nissan Stadium via the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which makes it one of the most centrally located major arenas in the country for combining a show with a full night downtown.

Bridgestone Arena's 2026 calendar includes Rascal Flatts on February 5, Andrea Bocelli on February 23, and New Edition's Way Tour on March 20. Evanescence follows on June 15, and 5 Seconds of Summer plays June 19, with Riley Green and Brandi Carlile closing out the summer run on August 29.

The Nashville Predators play their home schedule from October through April, so if your trip overlaps with hockey season, check the team's schedule alongside the concert calendar before booking hotels, since both can drive up downtown demand at the same time. Peak touring months for concerts generally run spring through fall, which is also when Nashville hotel rates and Lower Broadway crowds tend to be at their highest.

Rather than trying to memorize every date on the calendar, use it as a planning check: look up your specific event, confirm the date isn't overlapping with another major downtown draw, and then move on to booking your hotel and transportation with confidence.

Downtown and Lower Broadway hotels put you a 2-6 minute walk from Bridgestone Arena, and while that convenience comes with the highest nightly rates and the most nightlife noise, it's the simplest option if you want to walk to the arena and back to your room without any transportation planning at all.

SoBro, south of Broadway, is roughly a 5-10 minute walk and about 0.4 miles from the arena, offering a calmer feel while still keeping you within easy walking distance of the venue and the entertainment district. The Gulch runs 15-20 minutes away on foot and leans trendier, with boutique hotels, upscale dining, and rooftop bars that make for a quieter home base between events.

The Vanderbilt, West End, and Airport Area hotel zones sit further out but offer quieter stays and lower nightly rates, at the cost of needing a short drive or rideshare to reach the arena. For a full breakdown of these neighborhoods and how to choose between them, see our guide to the best areas to stay for Nashville concerts , and for a citywide look at pairing hotels with transportation, visit our concert travel lodging hub before you book.

Whichever zone you choose, book early for weekends that overlap with Predators games, major concerts, or other downtown festivals, since Nashville's hotel inventory tightens fast around big events. Comparing rates across all four zones through our hotels and transportation planning hub can help you weigh walking distance against nightly cost before you commit to a booking.

Nashville International Airport (BNA) sits 8-10 miles from downtown, and since Nashville has no light rail or subway system, most visitors reach the arena using rideshare, a taxi, a hotel shuttle, or public transit. Rideshare and taxi trips from BNA to downtown typically take 15-25 minutes depending on traffic.

WeGo Transit Route 18 runs from BNA to downtown for a flat $2 one-way fare, with an express version taking about 20 minutes and the local route taking 35-45 minutes depending on stops. WeGo Star commuter rail offers another option for visitors coming from outside the immediate downtown area, and once you're downtown, the core is compact enough that walking covers most of what you'll need.

For a fuller breakdown of getting around Nashville beyond just this one venue, our Nashville concert transportation guide covers airport transfers, downtown transit, and rideshare strategy in more depth, including options for travelers staying outside the immediate downtown core.

Roughly 20,000 parking spaces surround the arena across nearby garages and surface lots. The Fifth + Broadway Garage at 600 Broadway sits directly across from the arena, and the 222 2nd Avenue South, Nashville Yards Garages, and Pinnacle at Symphony Place all offer additional nearby options. For big events, pre-purchasing your parking in advance is worth the small premium, since it guarantees a spot and speeds up your arrival.

Nissan Stadium's Lot R offers free parking for Predators games, paired with a free two-way shuttle that runs every 15-20 minutes, opening about two hours before the event. From Lot R, you can also walk to Bridgestone Arena via the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in about 10-12 minutes if you'd rather skip the shuttle line entirely.

For rideshare, Lyft designates drop-off zones along the Broadway eastbound curb between 5th and 6th Avenues. After the show, walk a block or two away from the arena's main exits before requesting your ride — pickup spots near Demonbreun and 5th Avenue South tend to be far less congested. Surge pricing is common right after events let out, so lingering 20-30 minutes at a nearby bar before requesting a ride can save you money while letting the worst of the crowd clear out.

Airport-style security screening applies at every entrance to Bridgestone Arena. The Nissan Main Entrance sits at the corner of 5th Avenue and Broadway, while the Nissan SoBro Entrance is on the south side of the building. For general admission events, lines typically start forming as early as 8 AM at the SoBro Entrance Plaza, and will-call is located inside the Nissan Main Entrance near the box office.

Doors generally open 60-90 minutes before showtime, though event-specific entry maps are posted on the official arena site and inside the venue closer to your event date, so confirm exact timing before you head downtown.

The arena enforces a clear bag policy: bags must measure 12" x 12" x 6" or smaller, and backpacks are prohibited with no exceptions. Clear bags and small clutches under 6" x 4" x 1.5" move through express visual inspection lanes, while larger compliant bags go through standard x-ray screening. Diaper bags and medical bags are allowed but are subject to x-ray screening, and there is no on-site storage for rejected bags, so plan accordingly before you leave your hotel.

Prohibited items include outside food and drink, bottles, cans, selfie sticks, air horns, stun guns, pepper spray, other dangerous devices, drones, and camcorders. Certain shows add their own restrictions on top of the venue's baseline policy, such as phone pouches or camera limits, so check the specific event's page and any pre-show emails from the artist or promoter before you pack.

Accessible seating is available on every level, with companion seating located beside each accessible spot. Service animals must be trained and harnessed, and guests should contact guest services in advance to confirm arrangements. Assisted listening devices are available at the Guest Services Center near section 103, and elevators are located on the southwest and east sides of the building.

Bridgestone Arena is a cashless venue that accepts mobile payments and major credit cards only. Most events enforce a no-re-entry policy, so make sure everyone in your group has everything they need before heading inside. Doors typically open 60-90 minutes before showtime — always confirm on your event page — and arriving 60-90 minutes early is recommended for large events to allow time for security and seating.

Concourse-level concessions cover standard arena fare alongside local favorites, including Puckett's BBQ and Hunt Brothers Pizza, plus hot dogs and other arena staples. The BetMGM Sports Lounge and Lexus Lounge offer premium seating with elevated menus for guests looking for a step up from standard concession food. Vendors change between events, so check the official concessions map or the Bridgestone Arena app closer to your visit for current options.

Across the street, Assembly Food Hall at Fifth + Broadway offers casual, fast dining spanning many cuisines, making it an easy pre-show stop if you'd rather eat before you're inside the arena. Lower Broadway's honky-tonks offer free live music at spots like Tootsie's and Robert's Western World, and Pete & Terry's Tavern, formerly known simply as The Tavern, sits close to the arena for a quieter pre-show drink.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and the Ryman Auditorium are both within walking distance and make excellent daytime visits if you're building a longer trip around your event. Beyond downtown, The Gulch offers restaurants, murals, and shopping; Germantown has historic streets and quieter dining; East Nashville leans toward alternative bars and a local music scene; and Midtown/Vanderbilt delivers late-night eats with college-town energy.

For a fuller picture of neighborhoods, restaurants, and citywide itinerary ideas beyond a single event night, our Nashville destination guide covers the broader city if you're planning more than just a quick trip downtown for the show.

If you're building a full day around your event, keep in mind that Lower Broadway is the loudest and most crowded entertainment district, best suited to big pre- or post-show energy, while SoBro and the Music City Center area offer a calmer setting for a quieter pre-show meal before you head to your seat.

Before you book:

• Decide whether you'll walk or drive, and choose your hotel zone accordingly.
• Check the event calendar for overlapping festivals or sporting events that could affect hotel rates and crowds.
• Buy tickets early through Ticketmaster for popular events, and consider VIP packages or club-level seating if available.

The week of:

• Re-check the official event time and doors-open time.
• Review the bag policy and prohibited items list.
• Confirm your flight or driving plans, and purchase parking in advance if needed.

Day of the event:

• Charge your phone fully, and add tickets and parking passes to your wallet app.
• Pack a compliant bag (12" x 12" x 6" or smaller) or go bag-free.
• Choose your pre-show meal spot, and aim to arrive downtown well before doors open, especially for popular events.

Inside the arena:

• Know your seating level (Floor, Lower Bowl, Club, or Upper Bowl) and find your section.
• Locate the nearest restrooms, exits, and guest services.
• Identify a post-show meetup spot in case your group gets separated.
• Remember it's cashless-only — bring a card or set up mobile pay for concessions and merchandise.

After the show:

• Allow time for exiting crowds before heading out.
• Walk a block or two from the arena before requesting a rideshare.
• Have a backup walking route to your hotel in case streets around the arena are temporarily closed.

• Bridgestone Arena — A-Z Visitor Guide (entrances, guest services, drop-off zones)
• Bridgestone Arena — Bag Policy & Prohibited Items (bag sizes, restricted items, accessibility, cashless policy)
• Bridgestone Arena — Directions & Parking (garages, Lot R shuttle, rideshare zones)
• WeGo Public Transit — Route 18 (airport bus fares and schedules)

Gate times, parking rates, transit schedules, and event-specific rules can change between the day you read this guide and the day you attend. Always verify current details against the official sources above close to your travel date.

Last verified: July 2026

Explore the full venue directory on Vewtopia, or browse major arenas nationwide for more venue-specific travel guides beyond Nashville. If you're building out a broader trip, our Nashville destination guide covers neighborhoods, restaurants, and itinerary ideas across the whole city, and our Nashville concert transportation guide digs deeper into airport transfers, downtown transit, and rideshare strategy for your next trip.