Broadway 2030: Where the World Comes To Play

Bridgestone Arena, home of the Nashville Predators, is launching a signficant renovation beginning Summer 2026. The Predators organization is leading and funding the project, ensuring that Smashville continues to be a world-class destination for fans, athletes and performers.

Bridgestone Arena has been Nashville’s front porch since 1996 and consistently one of the busiest venues in the world. Despite its busy nature, when it first opened, the arena was designed with heavy concrete walls and little connection to Broadway.

Today, Broadway is a global tourism destination, buzzing with energy and drawing millions of visitors every year. This renovation will open the building to that energy — creating an extroverted arena that connects with Broadway, celebrates Nashville’s unique spirit and makes fans feel like the excitement flows seamlessly from the street to their seats. These updates will keep Bridgestone world-class, competitive with brand-new arenas, and ensure it remains a must-visit stop for sports, concerts and everything in between.

Construction will be phased so that Nashville Predators games continue without interruption during the season. To complete the more complex work, Bridgestone Arena is projected to go “off-line” during the summers of 2028 and 2029, meaning there could be fewer concerts or non-hockey events in those off-seasons. This will allow crews to work on major upgrades efficiently and safely.

The goal is to have the majority of the renovation complete and ready to welcome fans by Opening Night of the Predators’ 2029–30 season.

The Nashville Predators are covering the entire cost — including any overruns — so the project delivers major benefits to the city and community without using Metro Nashville financing, General Fund or residents’ dollars. This is more than just a construction project — it’s a long-term investment in Nashville’s future. The upgrades will strengthen the city’s position as a global destination for sports, music and tourism while ensuring fans have a world-class experience for decades to come.

Plenty of fan-first upgrades designed to make every visit easy, comfortable, and fun:

• A brand-new entrance on Broadway that opens the arena up to the energy of downtown.
• Restaurant and bar additions, creating new places to eat, drink, and connect before and after events, including the largest rooftop bar on Broadway.
• Wider concourses and easier wayfinding so getting around is faster and less crowded.
• Upgraded and expanded concession space, with more local food partners, craft beverage options and faster mobile ordering/pickup stations.
• Fresh new premium clubs, suites and lounges with modern design and hospitality.
• New social gathering spaces where fans can meet, hang out and keep the energy going even away from their seats.
• Enhanced in-arena technology — from stronger Wi-Fi and faster mobile service to state-of-the-art video boards and LED displays.
• Team store and retail upgrades, including expanded pro shop space and street-level access from Broadway.
• Interactive fan zones with immersive Predators history, photo ops and sponsor activations.
• Family-friendly spaces, including play zones, nursing rooms and kid-focused amenities.
• Upgraded and additional restrooms.
• More elevators and escalators for easier access to every level.

Athletes and entertainers will benefit from a full slate of privately funded upgrades designed to match the best facilities in the world. Highlights include:

• Modernized locker rooms and training facilities built to meet the needs of today’s NHL players and world-class touring acts.
• State-of-the-art medical, rehab and recovery spaces to keep athletes healthy and ready to perform.
• Comfortable family lounges and support areas for players’ and performers’ loved ones.
• Expanded backstage and production areas to handle the biggest concerts, shows and special events with ease.
• Upgraded catering and hospitality spaces for performers, crews and staff.
• New practice, warm-up and prep spaces so teams and entertainers have everything they need right on site.
• Improved technology and infrastructure that streamlines event setup, load-in/load-out and overall performance experience.

All of these upgrades will ensure that Bridgestone Arena isn’t just a fan favorite, but also a destination of choice for athletes and artists worldwide.

Bridgestone already draws nearly 3 million visitors a year, and the renovation will make it even stronger as an economic engine:

• Hundreds of construction jobs.
• Opportunities for local businesses and contractors.
• Increased tourism and visitor spending.
• Continued ability to host major events.

The Bridgestone Arena transformation is more than a construction project — it’s a chance to shape the future of downtown Nashville in a way that reflects the entire community. The Predators are committed to ensuring this work is inclusive, representative, and community-driven.

Key commitments include:

• Setting clear goals for inclusion and representation in every aspect of the project, from design to construction.
• Prioritizing diverse contractors, suppliers, and workforce participation to ensure opportunities extend to the entire Nashville community.
• Creating meaningful community input opportunities so local voices help shape how the new arena connects with Broadway and beyond.
• Developing accessible gathering spaces — restaurants, bars, and fan areas along Broadway — that invite everyone to share in the energy of the building, not just ticket holders.
• Extending the arena’s role as Nashville’s “front porch” by building connections that make it a civic landmark and not just an event venue.

The transformation is designed to reflect Nashville itself: vibrant, diverse, welcoming, and globally recognized.

Sustainability is a priority of the Bridgestone Arena transformation. The goal is to make the arena more efficient, more resilient, and better for Nashville’s future.

Key efforts include:

• Reusing much of the existing arena structure to cut down on waste and reduce the carbon footprint of new construction.
• Installing energy-efficient lighting, HVAC and building systems that lower power use while keeping the fan experience top-notch.
• Using modern materials and smarter design to extend the building’s life and improve long-term performance.
• Improving waste diversion and recycling efforts during both construction and daily operations.
• Reducing water and power use across the arena to make it a more efficient and responsible facility.
• Designing with the next generation in mind, so the arena remains sustainable for decades to come.

This isn’t just about upgrading a building — it’s about creating a more connected, efficient, and responsible arena that supports Nashville’s growth and tourism while protecting resources for the future.

Because Bridgestone Arena isn’t just a building — it’s the heartbeat of Nashville. Since opening in 1996, it has been the front porch of Music City, welcoming millions of fans each year. This transformation ensures it continues to play that role for decades to come.

Here’s why it matters:

• Keeps Smashville world-class by delivering the upgrades needed to remain one of the busiest and most respected venues in the world.
• Connects directly with Broadway, evolving from a fortress of concrete walls into an open, extroverted building where energy flows in and out — blending seamlessly with Nashville’s entertainment district.
• Boosts the local economy and tourism by drawing more major events, shows, and visitors — all while being fully funded by the team and partners, with no cost to Metro Nashville taxpayers.
• Creates a welcoming gathering place with new restaurants, bars, and open spaces that locals and tourists alike can enjoy year-round, not just on event nights.
• Delivers next-level fan experiences with easier access, better amenities, and the kinds of innovations people now expect from a top-tier arena.
• Builds responsibly for the future, with sustainable practices that reuse materials, reduce energy consumption, and make the building more efficient for decades to come.
• Expands community impact through the Preds’ GUIDER program, which will set goals for inclusion, representation, and local involvement throughout the project while also breaking down barriers for families and kids across Middle Tennessee.
• Strengthens Nashville’s identity on the global stage, ensuring that when the world thinks of sports and live music, they think of Bridgestone Arena and Broadway.

This project isn’t just about renovating a venue — it’s about transforming the city’s front porch into a symbol of Nashville’s energy, creativity, hospitality, and inclusiveness.