Bridgestone Arena

Nashville Predators (NHL, 1998 ) Nashville Kats (AFL, 1997-2001, since 2005)

The Bridgestone Arena (formerly Nashville Arena, Gaylord Entertainment Center, Sommet Center ) is a multi-purpose arena in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, which was completed in 1996. In 1997, the arena hosted the U.S. Figure Skating Championships 2004 took place in their national gymnastics championships. The GEC is home of the NHL teams Nashville Predators and the Nashville Kats of the AFL.

The arena is owned by the Sports Authority of Nashville and Davidson County and operated by the Powers Management Company, a subsidiary of Predators, which are the first tenant of the hall since 1998.

Use

In addition to various sporting events, such as various basketball tournaments of the Southeastern Conference and the Ohio Valley Conference and Events Wrestling, there were other large events, such as various concerts or religious gatherings were held in the hall. In odd years, the arena is also one of eight venues of the first and second rounds of the NCAA basketball tournaments.

The GEC has a capacity of 17,113 for hockey and 20,000 for basketball matches, concerts found depending on the stage construction between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors at the Arena Square.

In addition, the arena for comprehensive courses 5145 Music City Theatre can be converted, which can then be used for concerts, theater and various Broadway and family shows. Overall, the use of the arena area is about 4,000 square meters.

Naming rights

The naming rights to the Sommet Center belonged since 1998, the Gaylord Entertainment Company, a U.S. hotel and media company. In February 2005 it was announced that the Predators agreed with the group on an agreement which, although all existing agreements between the two dissolves, but the Arena name maintains until a new buyer of the naming rights is found. As a result, voices were raised demanding a return appointment in the original and still widely disseminated name Nashville Arena. Since the start of the new season, the name was again entered as a second official name of the arena, so among other things, the Gaylord Entertainment Center logos were changed from the center circle to the original caption Nashville Predators. Widely used was now also the nickname The Hop (from The Home Of the Predators ). The Gaylord Entertainment Center lettering on the façade, however, remained for the time being. Since 16 March 2007 she now called officially re- Nashville Arena. On May 18, the naming rights were sold to the Sommet Group, making it the new stadium name Sommet Center.

Gallery

Exterior

Exterior

Interior in ice hockey