Bridgestone Arena Increases Capacity For Stanley Cup Playoffs

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Photo: Courtesy of Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp

Bridgestone Arena will allow an increased capacity of 12,135 fans for the Nashville Predators Stanley Cup Playoff games.

The decision comes after Mayor John Cooper announced that all capacity limitations will be lifted on May 14. The increase in fans has been agreed among the Nashville Metro Public Health Department and the NHL.

“On the tail of the amazing stretch of hockey that secured our team’s spot in the 2021 Playoffs, this capacity increase will take what is already an amazing atmosphere to the next level as we continue our pursuit of the Stanley Cup,” says Nashville Predators President & CEO Sean Henry. “Since the very onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the Metro Public Health Department and the NHL have been instrumental throughout the process of gradually welcoming back our fans, and thanks to SMASHVILLE’s committed adherence to all health and safety protocols, we will continue increasing our capacity until we can once again come together with 17,159 of the best fans in sports for every single game.”

The NHL has allowed this capacity increase for hockey games based on a calibration of outside air flow requirements used uniformly throughout the league to determine venue capacities for the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. To meet this requirement, Bridgestone Arena will supplement its existing HVAC system with three additional air conditioning units. While creating an air-flow environment approximate to that of the outdoors, the use of these added air conditioning units will also serve to maintain optimal ice quality conditions despite climbing temperatures and humidity levels.

While all upcoming hockey games will operate at a capacity of 12,135 people, future non-hockey events will be permitted to utilize Bridgestone Arena’s full capacity of 17,159. Such events include the Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo on June 12, Alabama’s two concert shows on July 2 and 3, and the Luke Bryan concert on July 30.

Steven Boero
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