Bridgestone Arena

Welcome to Bridgestone Arena—home of the Nashville Predators! Most people associate Bridgestone with hockey, but you may be surprised by the number of women’s sporting events connected to this 20,000-seat venue. Located across the street from Ryman Auditorium and Honky Tonk Row, Bridgestone has hosted seven SEC women’s basketball tournaments since 2002 as well as the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2014. These tournaments bring thousands of sports fans to Nashville, a fitting tribute to a state that has long led the nation as a women’s basketball powerhouse. 

The year 2014 was a big year for women’s basketball in Tennessee. Not only did UT-Martin, MTSU, UT-Chattanooga, Vanderbilt, and the Lady Vols qualify for the NCAA tournament, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena was selected to host the Women’s Final Four for the first time. The championship game featured two undefeated teams, Connecticut and Notre Dame. UConn emerged victorious, winning their ninth national championship. It’s also worth noting former Vanderbilt standout Carolyn Peck was a basketball commentator for ESPN during the tournament. You’ll hear more about Peck’s many accomplishments at the Vanderbilt stop later in the tour.

There are other notable events that connect Bridgestone to women’s sports. In 2019, it was the site of the National Women’s Hockey League All Star Game, and in 1997 and 2022, the arena hosted the Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships. The 2022 competition was the final qualifying event before selections for the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Team for the Winter Olympics in Beijing. More than 750 female and male athletes performed on the ice as thousands of fans clapped, cheered, and watched in awe. 

You won’t be able to enter Bridgestone until you are attending an event, but you can learn more about this arena on our Music in Music City South and Downtown Public Art and Murals tour. Now, let’s head to the Votes for Women Room at the Nashville Public Library to learn more about Title IX.

Once back at your vehicle, navigate to Broadway heading south. Turn LEFT onto Rep. John Lewis Way then LEFT onto Commerce Street. Turn RIGHT onto Seventh Ave. N and enter the library’s parking garage on your right. The parking ticket can be validated inside for up to 90 minutes free parking. Go to the second floor of the library and walk across the veranda to the Nashville Special Collections. Once in Special Collections, turn RIGHT and you will see the Votes for Women room and exhibit.