When you hear references to the Sommet Center seating chart, you're looking at historical blueprints for what is now widely known as Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville. Originally opened as Nashville Arena in 1996, the building has cycled through several corporate naming rights, including the Sommet Center era from 2007 to 2010. Despite the historical name change, the core architectural layout, bowl orientation, and section numbering systems remain fundamentally intact, accommodating roughly 17,500 fans for hockey, 18,500 for basketball, and up to 20,000 for large-scale concerts.
Navigating this multi-tiered facility requires understanding how the lower bowl, club level, luxury suites, and upper deck interact with various stage configurations. Whether you're attending a Nashville Predators NHL game or a major touring concert, knowing where your specific seat lands relative to the action helps you avoid obstructed views and secure the best value for your ticket budget.
Core Architectural Layout and Capacity
The arena features four primary seating levels, anchored by a 22-story signature architectural tower on the corner of Broadway and 5th Avenue. The seating bowl is designed to be compact and steep, which places upper-tier spectators closer to the floor than in many modern suburban arenas.
Understanding the basic tiers helps map out any event layout:
- Lower Level (100s Sections): Encircles the entire floor or ice rink, running from sections 101 through 120.
- Club Level (200s Sections): Positioned directly above the lower bowl, offering exclusive concourse amenities and private entry points.
- Luxury Suites: Sandwiched between the 200 level and the upper deck, totaling 72 private suites.
- Upper Level (300s Sections): The highest tier, spanning sections 301 through 333, providing budget-friendly sightlines.
Lower Level Breakdown: Sections 101 to 120
The 100-level seating bowl places you closest to the floor or ice, but row nomenclature can catch first-time visitors off guard. Rows in many lower sections begin with double letters (such as AA through GG) closest to the wall or glass, before transitioning into single letters (A through F or higher depending on the section).
For hockey games featuring the Nashville Predators, sections 105 and 106 sit directly behind the penalty boxes, while sections 115 and 116 sit behind the team benches. Section 116 backs the Predators' home bench, and section 115 hosts the visiting team. If you want to see the Predators shoot twice, target sections 107 through 114, which face the attacking zone for two periods.
For concerts, the lower bowl configuration shifts dramatically. End-stage setups usually eliminate or curtain off sections 101 through 103, wrapping the production staging across one end of the floor. Side sections like 116 to 119 offer angled side-stage views that can bring you remarkably close to performers, though extreme side angles might suffer from production equipment obstructions.
Upper Level Realities: Sections 301 to 333
The upper deck is often stereotyped as nosebleed territory, but the arena's steep rake design means that even rows near the top of the 300s maintain direct, unobstructed views of the stage or ice.
If you prefer a centered perspective without paying floor or lower-bowl prices, target sections 309 and 310 or 325 and 326. These sections sit directly on center ice or dead-center opposite the stage, giving you a comprehensive view of complex light shows or player formations. Seat number one in any given section always sits adjacent to the next higher section number, meaning if you're in section 315 next to 316, seat one is closer to 316. Keep this directional rule in mind if you are trying to stay close to specific aisles or concourse entry tunnels.
Concert Floor Configurations
When pop, rock, or country acts roll through Nashville, the permanent seats are supplemented by a temporary floor layout. Floor layouts generally fall into two categories: reserved seating rows or general admission (GA) standing pits.
- Reserved Floor Seats: Typically designated as Floor 1, Floor 2, or Floor 3, or labeled alphabetically (Floor A, B, C). Rows start at Row 1 near the stage and back up toward the mixing board. Lower row numbers guarantee proximity, but flat floor elevations mean taller guests in front of you can obstruct sightlines.
- General Admission Pits: Usually located immediately in front of the stage. These tickets are standing-room only. Arriving early is essential if you want to secure a spot against the barricade.
You can inspect visual references and user-submitted photos for specific layouts via A View From My Seat. For official municipal facility specifications and governance details, consult the Nashville Sports Authority.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ticket buyers frequently make avoidable errors when selecting seats in this historic venue.
- Ignoring Side-Stage Obstructions: For major concerts with massive overhead lighting rigs or video screens, extreme side sections in the 100s and 300s can experience partial visual restrictions. Always check notes on ticket platforms for designated "limited view" warnings.
- Misinterpreting Row Letters: Assuming row A is always the front row can lead to disappointment. In the lower bowl, double-letter rows (like AA) sit closer to the ice or concourse than single-letter rows.
- Overlooking Row Depths: Some upper-level sections have short rows containing only 10 to 15 seats, while others stretch past 20 seats. If you dislike squeezing past rows of people to reach the aisle, check seating charts that detail exact row lengths.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the seating layout change between hockey games and concerts?
Yes. For hockey, the center ice configuration is permanent. For concerts, a large portion of the lower bowl at one end is retracted or covered to make room for the stage, altering section numbering on that side of the venue.
Are there elevators to the upper deck?
Yes. Elevators and escalators are located near the main entrances on Broadway and 5th Avenue, providing access to all four levels, including the club concourses and upper 300 level.
Where is ADA-accessible seating located?
Accessible seating options are available on every level of the arena, including the lower bowl, club level, and upper deck. Companion seating is placed adjacent to these designated spots, though you should request them specifically at the time of purchase.
Which seats offer the best acoustic experience for concerts?
Sound quality is generally well-balanced throughout the arena, but sections directly facing the stage in the lower bowl (such as sections 105-106) or lower rows of the club level provide the most direct audio mix without excessive reverberation from the roof structure.
