Nashville Tenn. (January 6, 2012) – For the second year in a row, Bridgestone Arena ranks sixth in the United States for concert attendance, according to international trade publication Pollstar. The Arena also sits 20th in the world and eighth in North American concert attendance, according to Pollstar. Trade publication Venues Today has Bridgestone Arena ranked sixth in U.S. concert attendance and 13th in the world.

“This second consecutive Top Ten year-end ranking is a testament to the success of Nashville as a premier entertainment destination,” Nashville Predators and Bridgestone Arena Chief Operating Officer/President Sean Henry said. “We are outperforming our market size by leaps and bounds and are keeping company with the likes of top venues in New York and Los Angeles. We’ve seen tremendous success with both the hockey and arena staff working together to cross promote events and sell tickets. It’s absolutely amazing what this organization has achieved by working as one.

“Additionally, the incentives put in place by the Mayor’s Office have once again allowed the building to blossom and outperform its size. We would like to thank everyone – from our hard-working staff, passionate fans and loyal community to the visiting performers, players, promoters, agents and management – for helping have such an incredible year.”

In 2011, Bridgestone Arena played host to 10 of Pollstar’s Top 25 North American Tours. Three more of those Top 25 shows visited Bridgestone in 2010, and 2012 will see another two of the Top 25. Between 2010 and 2012, Bridgestone Arena will have hosted 15 of the 25 highest grossing North American tours.

On top of such great achievements, Bridgestone Arena and the Predators boasted 18 and 26 sellouts respectively in calendar year 2011, combining for 44 sellouts on the year.

2011 Bridgestone Arena Highlights:
  • Host to the 2011 Stanley Cup Western Conference Quarterfinals and Semifinals
  • Host to the 2011 CMT Music Awards
  • Host to the 2011 CMA Awards
  • More than 82 events with top performers such as:
       o Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus – Jan. 20-23
       o Brad Paisley – Feb. 26
       o Rush – April 3
       o Sugarland – April 16
       o Lady Gaga – April 19
       o Bob Seger – April 21
       o Taylor Swift Speak Now Help Now Benefit – May 21
       o Jimmy Buffet – May 28
       o Cirque du Soleil Alegria – June 15-19
       o Britney Spears – July 18
       o Katy Perry – July 19
       o American Idol – July 30
       o Keith Urban – Aug. 6
       o Journey – Sept. 13
       o Taylor Swift – Sept. 16 and 17
       o The Avett Brothers – Oct. 28
       o Jeff Dunham – Nov. 25
       o Guns N Roses – Dec. 4
       o Zac Brown Band – Dec. 29
       o Bassnectar – Dec. 31

Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest venues in the Unites States over the past decade and a half, hosting more than 13 million guests during that time. The NHL’s Nashville Predators have been the primary tenants of Bridgestone Arena since 1998 – less than two years after the venue opened its doors for its first concert – and boast one of the most unique game atmospheres in the NHL. The list of acts that have called Bridgestone Arena home is lengthy and includes the Country Music Association Awards; the Country Music Television Awards; Keith Urban’s “We’re All For the Hall” benefit concerts; NCAA, SEC and OVC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments; and entertainers such as Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Billy Joel, the Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw, KISS, Metallica and Lady Gaga. The arena is also set to host the NCAA Women’s Final Four in 2014.

To receive regular updates on upcoming events at Bridgestone Arena, go to bridgestonearena.com. Visit nashvillepredators.com for the complete Predators game schedule.