Nashville's Bridgestone Arena unveils new concessions, $15M in upgrades for Preds season

The Nashville Predators will open their 2024-25 season on Thursday with a bright-eyed lineup of fresh faces, new spaces and for those who just come to games for the food and drinks, additional menu items including charcuterie and Zamboni-shaped kids' meals.

The Predators and their hospitality partner Delaware North revealed $15 million in new amenities including the new 85-seat California Closets Studio premium club at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.

“It’s really important to us to continue offering top-tier hospitality and innovative menu items that reflect the spirit of Nashville and enhance the game-day experience at Bridgestone Arena,” said Michael Geczi, general manager of Delaware North at Bridgestone Arena.

Unlike the the new Nissan Stadium for the Titans, Bridgestone does not have plans to go completely frictionless for their concessions. You can find a frictionless concession stand next to the guest service lobby by section 103.

You do have two options when it comes to ordering. There is a team member there to take your order or you can use of the kiosks at the food stand to place your order.

There is something for everyone this season when it comes to food options. Here are some fresh options to try while you’re on the concourse:

• The Predator’s beloved mascot, Gnash, now has a popcorn container in the shape of his head that fans of all ages can enjoy. This will be available at all popcorn stands throughout Bridgestone Arena.

• Popular for its customizable nachos, the Taco Stand located in section 100 will be introducing seasonal fruit cups sprinkled with Tajin seasoning that will be served in a mini helmet.

• A new meatball sub sandwich is replacing the Italian sandwich at the section 103 pizza stand. They are also introducing a Caprese salad that you can enjoy out of a cup or mini helmet.

• Charcuterie and wine are now being served at the Grab N Go located in sections 101 and 213.

New premium club, treats for kids

The biggest addition to Bridgestone is the new premium club, California Closets Studio, decorated in warm wood tones and gold accents. This is an 85-seat exclusive seating area on the second level of Bridgestone across from the BetMGM Sports Lounge.

This premium club offers an upscale, dynamic dining experience and excellent views of the ice and concert stage.

Nashville Predators CEO Sean Henry said the upgrades are important to keeping the popular arena full and reflecting Nashville's culture.

“When you invest in a building, when you invest in a team, every single game is a chance to sell concert tickets, every concert is a chance to sell hockey tickets, and every event is a chance to sell Nashville,” Henry said.

The Zamboni ice machine, a highlight for children at Predators games, can now be enjoyed via the Zamboni Kids Meal served in a fun Zamboni-shaped container. The container features chicken tenders, fries and fruit snacks.

What once was the space for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is now the Gnashville Fun Zone for children. Children can come in and play street hockey on the mini rink, play NHL ’24 on a game system of their choosing, experience the VR zone and color a picture for the fridge at home.

Those with suites can experience new menu additions as well. A barbeque board featuring six types of meats, including Nashville hot chicken sausage and pork ribs, will pair well with the bourbon experience that is now offered.

And who could forget about desserts?

In suites, a cart of chef-selected desserts and seasonal offerings will be available, and on the concourse, you can enjoy funnel cake fries from the pizza stand and banana pudding cups at the barbeque stand.

Walking into the arena you’ll notice changes throughout the building as the Predators added $15 million of renovations throughout the arena.

In November of 2022, a water main break poured over a million gallons of water into the event level at Bridgestone Arena. Today, there are still repairs being made to the Lexus Lounge and locker room area.

In the Lexus Lounge, there is new furniture and a new LED screen was brought in last season as most of the audiovisual equipment was damaged.

There are 15-million-pixel additions added to the arena in the form of LED screens. You can see one of those screens in the main entrance of Bridgestone Arena.

The lights hanging throughout the concourse look like stage lighting, some of the flooring has what looks like guitar strings mixed in and the building itself replicates the shape of a French horn.

“We try to stay very true to Nashville as possible,” said David Urso, Senior Vice President of Operations when speaking about the design of Bridgestone Arena.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's Bridgestone Arena unveils new concessions, $15M in upgrades for Preds season