Preds "Smashville Spectacular" Set to Redefine NHL Stadium Series

In the words of Predators Captain Roman Josi: nobody throws a party like Nashville.
But instead of honky tonks and Bridgestone Arena, it will be the NHL providing the backdrop for Music City's biggest party of February, 2022: the Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium. The Preds will host the defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL's annual outdoor affair on Feb. 26, just over four months from now.
After welcoming the NHL in grand fashion for the 2016 All-Star Game, Commissioner Gary Bettman and the League have brought the eyes of hockey fans everywhere back to the banks of the Cumberland River for one of hockey's most exciting annual festivities.

"We are thrilled to be bringing another League event to Nashville," Bettman said at a press conference on Wednesday morning at the stadium. "When I think about Nashville hosting the NHL, not just how great every game is at Bridgestone Arena, but I think of the 2016 All-Star Weekend… We had incredible participation by the country music community, and it was a three-day festival in celebration of hockey.
"I then think about the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, and all of downtown Nashville was transformed into a hockey town. I think of the Alan Jackson concert which lit up Broadway. I think about Luke Bryan on the roof at Tootsies and the incredible, incredible excitement and support that, not just the Predators got, but NHL hockey got - it was exciting to be here."
The Preds will brave the elements in outdoor play for the second time in franchise history after battling the Dallas Stars as part of the 2020 Winter Classic. But the 34th installment of outdoor NHL hockey will be the first appearance for the Lightning. While neither squad is among the oldest NHL franchises - both are among the 11 newest organizations in the League - the Preds and Lightning will put a unique brand of hockey on full display this coming February.
"Are they newer markets than some of our clubs? Yes. But we have newer franchises… Hockey works well wherever we place a team," Bettman said. "These are great organizations with great fan bases, and they really lead the way in terms of community involvement, fan engagement and game presentation. Having these two teams, we think, is going to make the Stadium Series game really special."

The setting for this exciting matchup? Nissan Stadium - the home of Nashville's favorite Tennessee Titans. The partnership between the Titans and Preds will be the catalyst for a Saturday evening matchup as 69,000-plus fans trade in their two-tone blue for Gold and navy.
"We consider this building to be a public asset," Titans CEO Burke Nihill said. "We are thrilled to picture this stage transforming into an outdoor hockey rink later this February… This event represents two of Nashville's biggest players in the sports community coming together to do something very special for the community… We're expecting a magical event."
"I think it's just really cool to have that bond with the city of Nashville - I feel like everyone is supportive of each other," Josi said. "We always have Titans players at our games, which is so cool for us that they come and support us… Seeing them becoming the team that they are now is pretty cool."
While there will certainly be fans traveling from far and wide to catch some outdoor hockey, the Preds and the NHL have made it clear that this is far more than just one hockey game. The 2016 All-Star Game provided a glimpse into the possibilities of Nashville as an NHL host city, but a week-long leadup to one of the NHL's most anticipated games of the season will likely trounce 2016 in flair and excitement.
"We're going to make this a week-long party, a week-long celebration of the opportunity to have Predators hockey on display, and to be, again, another vehicle to bring the community together," Bettman said. "We know this game is going to be a huge success, but most importantly, we want the city and our fans to have fun with it because that's really what an outdoor game is all about."

"The All-Star Game in 2016 allowed all of us to showcase Nashville, Smashville, the state, the community, and our game to the world in a slightly different way," Preds President & CEO Sean Henry said. "And it worked so well. I love going to other events where I hear people say, 'What a great All-Star Game, but do you remember Nashville?' And now we're going to be able to do that again… We're going to be able to change how things are celebrated for our League and our great game, and once again showcase our community to the world stage."
The game is set for Feb. 26 - just after the League's Olympic
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. By late February, most teams will be over 50 games into their season with the stretch run rapidly approaching. After a long celebration of hockey overseas in Beijing, the NHL will return with a bang and plenty of country music.
"We are going to use it as sort of a celebration of our sport, and a relaunch of the stretch run of our season," Bettman said. "Our competitive balance is so extraordinary that everything matters in terms of teams making or not making the playoffs. So, having a big event to come back to once we're done with the Olympic break is really important."
In just four short months, Nashville will once again show how strong of a hockey city it truly is. With the backing of the Titans, the NHL and plenty of loyal Preds fans, this year's Stadium Series game is sure to be - spectacular.
"Smashville is powered by our fans. We have the most unique bond with our fans of any sports town in the country without exception," Henry said. "We are changing the name. It's not the Stadium Series anymore, it's a 'Smashville Spectacular'… We're going to do something that people haven't seen in a long time."