See Charlie Brown and His Christmas Tree
Whether you're interested in football or hockey, Nashville has a wide variety of athletic events that any sports fan would be able to build a dream vacation around. Country music may reign supreme in the heartland, but sports are certainly not far behind. Currently, Nashville has three professional sports teams: the Titans (football), Predators (hockey) and Kats (arena football). Throughout nearly the entire year you'll be able to find great sporting events to help highlight your visit to the area, and below is a quick rundown on what to expect.
Tennessee Titans, National Football League (NFL)
Season: September - December
Home Field: The Coliseum, 1 Titans Way, Nashville, TN 37213
The Tennessee Titans are originally from Houston, but were relocated to Tennessee in 1997. During their first two seasons in Tennessee they went by the Houston moniker Oilers, before changing the offical team name to the Titans in 1999. The typical Titans season runs from September through December, but may be extended into the new year depending on whether or not they secure a spot in the NFL playoffs. Their home games are played in the Coliseum, a prominent venue for not only sports but a variety of special events in Nashville. If you're looking for the excitement of a traditional, pro football game, you won't find a better event in all of Tennessee than a Titans home game.
Nashville Kats, Arena Football League (AFL)
Season: Late January - May
Home Arena: Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
The Nashville Kats first appeared on the Arena Football League scene in 1997, but were quickly relocated in due to leasing problems. The Kats eventually found a home in Georgia, becoming the Georgia Force. However, the Nashville Kats were revived, even retaining their original team history from the Georgia Force. Today, the Nashville Kats play their home games in the multi-attraction Gaylord Entertainment Center. Although some may view the AFL as completely inferior to the NFL, this couldn't be further from the truth. Those looking for a faster-paced style of football will find that the AFL, and subsequently the Nashville Kats, is the perfect brand of football for their individual tastes. The Kats' season typically runs from late January through May, and is extended even further if they make the playoffs.
Nashville Predators, National Hockey League (NHL)
Season: October - April
Home Arena: Gaylord Entertainment Center, 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203
With a typical season running from October to April, the Nashville Predators offer the largest window of opportunity for experiencing a professional sports game in Nashville. As with the other two professional sports teams in Nashville, the Predators are fairly new to the area, having been founded in 1998. For those that have never been to a hockey game, their crowds are certainly one of the more raucous groups of people to be around, second only to, perhaps, soccer fans. In fact, the Predators in particular happen to have a unique home crowd celebration that involves throwing catfish onto the ice after a goal. Don't let the wild antics scare you though. Despite the intensity of many of the fans, a Nashville Predators game is a wholesome event that the entire family will be able to enjoy.
Unless you live in a marquee city, chances are it is near impossible to attend a professional sports game. That's why sports fans should be all the more adament about looking into sporting-friendly locales when planning their vacation. With Nashville you won't have the chance to experience one pro team, but three. Find what time will be best for you to get away, and start planning today!
