Bridgestone Arena ranks sixth in concert attendance in U.S.

Once again, Nashville's Bridgestone Arena ranked sixth in the United States in concert attendance, according to trade publication Pollstar. Pollstar also reported the arena as the eighth busiest arena in North America and 20th busiest in the world in 2011.

“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."

Henry gave credit to the "incentives put in place" in 2007 as a key piece in the arena "outperforming its size." Those incentives, negotiated when the Predators were purchased by a local ownership group, are up for renegotiation.

Currently, the Predators are on a run of seven consecutive sellouts, a regular-season franchise record. In 2011, the Predators sold out 26 games. The arena sold out 18 other events.

The top five venues were:

1. Staples Center (Los Angeles) 
2. Madison Square Garden (New York)
3. Philips Arena (Atlanta)
4. American Airlines Center (Dallas)
5. Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.)