BRIDGESTONE ARENA NAMED LARGE CAPACITY VENUE OF THE YEAR BY THE ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC
Nashville Tenn. (March 21, 2014) – The Academy of Country Music announced today that Bridgestone Arena was named Large Capacity Venue of the Year, another highlight on a very successful year for the Arena. This marks the third time that Bridgestone Arena has taken home these honors, winning previously in 2009 and 2011.
The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will be televised live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on April 6. The Large Capacity Venue of the Year Award, an award voted on by all professional members of the Academy, is one of several industry awards that will not be televised during the live television broadcast due to time constraints. Bridgestone Arena and several other honorees of industry and special awards will be honored at the 8th annual ACM Honors event on Sept. 9 at Ryman Auditorium.
“We take pride in keeping Bridgestone Arena at the forefront of the industry and maintaining the Arena’s reputation as truly being one of the best in the business,” Bridgestone Arena’s Vice President of Booking David Kells said. “We are grateful for the exceptional support of all our patrons, staff, performers, promoters, managers, agents and the city of Nashville; we would not be where we are without them.”
Bridgestone Arena sold 448,148 tickets during 2013, a year that was highlighted by top performers such as:
* Justin Bieber
* Michael Buble
* Bon Jovi
* Maroon 5
* One Direction
* Blake Shelton
* Taylor Swift (three shows)
* Luke Bryan (two shows)
* The Black Keys
* Disney on Ice
* Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus
* Avett Brothers
* Elton John
* Beyonce
* All for the Hall
* Jimmy Buffett
* Eric Clapton
* Eagles
* Justin Timberlake
* WWE Raw
* Rob Zombie and KORN
* Paramore
* Kanye West
* John Mayer
* Trans Siberian Orchestra
* Bassnectar
In addition to being honored by the Academy of Country Music, Bridgestone Arena was also nominated for Pollstar’s 2013 Arena of the Year Award and ranked sixth in U.S. Ticket Sales for the year 2013.
On Jan. 9, Bridgestone Arena opened the Nissan SoBro entrance at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Demonbreun, an entrance that unites the arena with the Music City Center and the new businesses south of Broadway. The new entrance is just one of several renovations taking place in an effort to continue to improve patrons’ experience at Bridgestone Arena. Additional renovations include the installation of a new HVAC system, new carpet in several levels and exterior LED boards and the opening of Tavern ’96, Bridgestone Arena’s first full time restaurant located by the Arena’s new south entrance that features 16 draft beer options, more than 45 bottled varieties and food.
To receive regular updates on upcoming events at Bridgestone Arena go to bridgestonearena.com.