If you are looking for ice skating in Nashville, Centennial Sportsplex is where many locals end up. It is centrally located, has been home ice for Nashville skaters since 1990, and is the only public rink in the city with two full-size sheets. The Nashville Predators assumed management of ice operations on May 1, 2026.
Here is everything you need to know before you go.
The Quick Facts
Address: 222 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203 Phone: 615-862-8480 Ice Rink Type: Two full-size indoor sheets, 200 x 85 feet each Open: Year-round Schedule: Public skate sessions, registration, and waivers now run through Predators DaySmart. Check the current Centennial listing before you go.
Public Skate Schedule
This is the most important thing to know about Centennial Sportsplex: public skate sessions do not run on a fixed weekly schedule. Session days, times, and lengths change depending on what else is happening on the ice — hockey leagues, figure skating club time, and special events all share the rinks.
The current public-skate path is the Predators' DaySmart system. Create an account, select Centennial, and open the specific session to confirm its time, price, waiver, and registration requirements. Public skate is typically on Rink A.
A few patterns that tend to hold:
- Sessions are commonly offered on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
- Two sessions per day are typical when public skate is scheduled
- Summer often brings more available public skate slots as hockey leagues wind down
Always check the calendar before making the trip. Session availability can change.
Admission and Pricing
Centennial Sportsplex has historically been one of Nashville's more affordable places to skate. Because operations changed in May 2026, confirm the current price in DaySmart before booking.
- Ages 4 and under: Free
- General admission (ages 5+): $6 (skate rental now included with admission)
- Spectators: Free
Skate rental is included in the admission price — a recent change that makes the value even better for families. The rink accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, with a small convenience fee. Tickets are typically available starting 15 minutes before each session.
What to Expect When You Arrive
Centennial Sportsplex is a large multi-use facility — 145,000 square feet — so knowing where to go saves time.
The ice rinks are separate from the main fitness and aquatics areas. Head for the ice rink entrance, pay admission, and you will receive your skate rental ticket. Take it to the skate rental counter inside the rink area, give the attendant your shoes, and pick up your skates.
Lockers: Coin-operated lockers are available for 50 cents. You can also bring your own padlock to use the free lockers during your session.
Concession stand: A small concession stand sells pizza, bagels, and snacks. Cash only at the concession stand. Outside food is welcome if you want to bring your own.
Seating: Spectator seating is available for parents and non-skating guests. Spectators get in free, which makes it an easy family outing even if not everyone is skating.
Temperature: The rink area stays around 58 degrees — colder than that once you factor in the chill from the ice. Bring a jacket or light layer even in summer. It always feels colder than you expect.
Skate Rental Tips
Centennial offers both figure skates and hockey skates for rental.
- For beginners, figure skates are recommended — they are more stable and easier to balance in
- Skates run about 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than your regular shoe size
- Wear one pair of thin, calf-height socks for the best fit — thick socks or two pairs reduce ankle support
- Check the blade condition when you pick up your skates; if they look dull or damaged, ask for a different pair
The former on-site pro shop and skate-sharpening service closed during the 2026 management transition, even though older Metro pages may still list it.
Skating Aids for Kids
Centennial Sportsplex has a limited number of skate aids — small frames kids can push across the ice for balance. These are available for children ages 7 and under and go quickly at busy sessions.
A few things worth knowing about the skating aids:
- They are first-come, first-served — arrive early if your young child will want one
- The rink actually recommends that children learn to balance without holding onto something where possible, as it accelerates skill development
- Bike helmets are recommended for beginner skaters, especially young children
Learn to Skate Programs
Centennial Sportsplex hosts learn-to-skate programs for all ages and skill levels, making it much more than just a drop-in public skate facility.
Nashville Skating Academy operates learn-to-skate programs at Centennial, following the Learn to Skate USA curriculum. Programs are grouped by skill level rather than age, so skaters progress through structured levels from complete beginner to more advanced skating fundamentals.
Options include:
- Group learn-to-skate sessions for children and adults
- A homeschool skating program running Wednesday mornings — 30 minutes of instruction plus 30 minutes of supervised practice, $5 per 6-week session, rental skates included
- Private coaching for those wanting individual instruction
If you or your child is serious about learning to skate — not just experiencing it once — enrolling in a session is the fastest path to real progress. Group lessons at a rink like this are structured, affordable, and dramatically more effective than trying to learn on your own during public skate.
The Nashville Predators Connection
One thing that makes Centennial Sportsplex genuinely unique: the west arena serves as the practice facility for the Nashville Predators, the NHL franchise. The same ice sheets used for public skate sessions host professional hockey players on a regular basis.
This does affect public skate availability — Predators practice time takes priority — but it also means the rink is maintained at a professional standard. The ice quality at Centennial is consistently good.
Other Ice Skating in Nashville
Centennial Sportsplex is the most affordable and centrally located option, but Nashville has other rinks worth knowing about:
Ford Ice Center operates three locations in the Nashville area — Bellevue, Antioch, and Clarksville — run by the Nashville Predators organization. Ford Ice is a cashless facility and requires online reservations in advance. Admission is $12 and includes skate rental. Higher-end facilities with a more polished experience.
Gaylord Opryland Resort offers seasonal ice skating during the holiday period as part of their winter programming — a fun experience but very different from a standard rink visit.
For a comprehensive list of Nashville area rinks with current hours and session information, use the Ice Skating Index Nashville rink guide.
Insider Tips for First-Timers at Centennial
A few things that will make your visit smoother:
Check DaySmart and the Skate Status note the day before. Sessions change frequently and what was listed a week ago may have shifted. A two-minute check saves a wasted trip.
Arrive 15-20 minutes early. Tickets go on sale 15 minutes before the session. Skate rental lines move quickly if you get there before the rush.
Bring a jacket even in summer. The rink is 58 degrees and it feels colder than that. Summer visitors almost always underestimate this.
Cash for concessions. The snack stand is cash only. Everything else in the facility takes cards.
Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the facility on 25th Avenue. It can fill up during popular sessions, especially on Saturday afternoons.
Getting There
Centennial Sportsplex sits adjacent to Centennial Park in the West End neighborhood, a few minutes from Vanderbilt University and easily accessible from downtown Nashville.
Address: 222 25th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37203
From I-440, take the West End Ave exit and head east. The Sportsplex will be on your left just past the park. From downtown, take West End Avenue west for about 10 minutes — the facility is visible from the road next to the park.
Ready to Go?
Check the current public skate schedule at the Nashville.gov Centennial Sportsplex page, then find additional Nashville area rink options at the Ice Skating Index.
Published by Ice Skating Index — your guide to everything on the ice.