Predators facility staff prepare Bridgestone Arena ice for upcoming season

Nigel Schnarr and his maintenance crew are currently installing a new sheet of ice at Bridgestone Arena for the Nashville Predators' 2026-27 season. The operation requires 20,000 gallons of water and 600 gallons of paint, applied in precise, temperature-controlled layers over the course of several days. Despite a region-wide heat advisory in Nashville, the team is managing the cooling process to ensure the ice surface reaches a thickness of 1⅜ to 1½ inches. Schnarr aims to maintain a surface temperature between 20 and 22 degrees to provide optimal conditions for players. The arena transitioned to ice preparation following a recent concert event on August 29. The Predators open their training camp on September 17 at Ford Ice Center Bellevue before playing their first home preseason game on September 22. Their regular-season home opener is scheduled for October 1 against the Minnesota Wild.

• 10:06 AMYahoo Sports — How do Predators install ice at Bridgestone Arena? An inside look at the process