How Much Does Ice Skating Cost in Nashville?

Ice skating in Nashville is more affordable than most people expect — especially if you know which rink to go to and when. The city has two distinct tiers of public skating, and the price difference between them is significant enough to change your decision depending on your situation.

Here is exactly what you will pay at every Nashville area rink, plus tips for getting the most out of your visit without overspending.

Nashville Ice Skating Prices at a Glance

Centennial Sportsplex Pricing

Centennial Sportsplex is Nashville's central two-sheet public rink. The Nashville Predators assumed management of ice operations on May 1, 2026 and moved public schedules, registration, and waivers into DaySmart.

Admission: Confirm the current session price in DaySmart Skate rental: Confirm the current policy in the session listing

Centennial's former Metro pricing should not be treated as the current checkout price during the management transition. Open the actual public-skate session in DaySmart before calculating a family total.

Skate sharpening is no longer available through the former on-site pro shop. Use the current Nashville sharpening guide for verified alternatives.

Coin-operated lockers are 50 cents. Free lockers are available during public sessions if you bring your own padlock.

Concession stand: Cash only. Pizza, bagels, and snacks. Outside food is welcome if you want to bring your own.

One important note on Centennial: public skate sessions run on a variable schedule rather than fixed weekly hours. Check DaySmart and the rink page's Skate Status note before going.

Ford Ice Center Pricing

Ford Ice Centers are operated by the Nashville Predators organization at three Nashville-area locations — Antioch to the south, Bellevue to the west, and Clarksville to the north. All three locations use identical pricing.

Admission: $10.98 plus tax for matinee sessions or $13.73 plus tax for evening sessions, skate rental included Ages 2 and under: Free at most sessions (confirm when booking) Spectators: Free

Ford Ice is a cashless facility — no cash accepted at any location. All transactions are card or digital payment. Online reservations are required in advance; you cannot walk in without a reservation.

For a family of 4 (two adults, two kids): calculate the total from the selected matinee or evening session and the applicable tax.

The reservation requirement is worth planning around. Ford Ice sessions book up, especially on weekend afternoons and during the school year. If you are planning a family outing, check availability and reserve your spot a few days ahead rather than the day of.

Centennial vs Ford Ice: Which Is Worth It?

Neither is objectively better — they serve different needs.

Choose Centennial Sportsplex if:

• You want a central Nashville rink with two full-size sheets
• You use Nashville Skating Academy for lessons or freestyle ice
• You are enrolling in a learn-to-skate program (Nashville Skating Academy operates here)
• You have young kids who skate free or at reduced cost
• You want to be centrally located in the city

Choose Ford Ice if:

• You want a guaranteed spot with no scheduling uncertainty
• You prefer a newer, more modern facility
• You live closer to Antioch, Bellevue, or Clarksville
• You or your kids are interested in hockey-focused programming
• The $12 price point is not a concern

For first-timers, location and available session time may matter more than a presumed price gap. Compare the current booking totals before choosing.

How Much Do Learn-to-Skate Lessons Cost in Nashville?

Group lessons are significantly more affordable than most people expect and far more effective than trying to learn on your own during public skate.

Nashville Skating Academy at Centennial Sportsplex:

• Group learn-to-skate sessions: approximately $125 per 6-week session
• Includes 30 minutes of coached instruction plus 30 minutes of supervised practice
• Skate rental included in session cost
• Homeschool program runs Wednesday mornings; general sessions vary by term
• Family discounts available: $10 off second family member, $20 off third, $35 off fourth
• Multi-session discount: 10% off when registering for two or more sessions

Ford Ice Centers:

• Learn-to-skate programming available at all three locations through the Predators organization
• Pricing varies by session and location — check the Ford Ice website for current registration

Private coaching: Private one-on-one lessons are available at both Centennial and Ford Ice facilities through independent coaches and skating academies. Rates typically run $40-80 per 30-minute session depending on the coach. If your child is showing real interest in figure skating or hockey development, private lessons accelerate progress dramatically compared to group instruction alone.

How Much Does It Cost to Buy Ice Skates in Nashville?

If you find yourself going more than 6-8 times per season, buying your own skates makes financial sense. Rental is included in admission at Nashville rinks now, but personal skates that fit well and hold a proper edge make the experience noticeably better.

Where to buy skates in Nashville:

• The Centennial Sportsplex has a small hockey equipment store on-site
• Play It Again Sports locations in the Nashville area carry used and new recreational skates at lower price points
• Specialty skating retailers and online (Pure Hockey, Ice Warehouse, Amazon) for a wider selection

What to expect to spend:

• Recreational figure or hockey skates: $50-150 for a solid entry-level pair
• Intermediate skates: $150-300
• Performance/competitive skates: $400 and up

For a casual Nashville skater hitting Centennial or Ford Ice a dozen times a year, a $75-100 pair of recreational skates is the sweet spot. They will last several seasons with proper care and blade sharpening.

Tips for Saving Money on Ice Skating in Nashville

Go to Centennial over Ford Ice for casual visits. The $6 per-person difference adds up quickly for families who skate regularly.

Check for special sessions. Centennial occasionally offers promotional or discounted sessions around holidays and special events. Follow their Facebook page or check Nashville.gov for announcements.

Enroll in group lessons rather than private. Group learn-to-skate sessions at $125 for 6 weeks work out to about $21 per session — far more affordable than private coaching at $40-80 per lesson, and effective for beginners through intermediate skaters.

Buy your own skates once you are going regularly. Rental is included in admission at Nashville rinks, but owning your own skates eliminates the fit lottery of rental boots and gives you a consistently better experience.

Bring your own snacks to Centennial. Outside food is welcome, and the concession stand is cash only. A bag of snacks from home saves a few dollars and means no scrambling for cash at the rink.

Ready to Go?

For current public skate schedules and session availability at Nashville rinks, visit the Ice Skating Index Nashville guide or check our full breakdown of every rink in the Nashville area.

For a broader look at what ice skating costs nationally, see our complete ice skating cost guide.

Published by Ice Skating Index — your guide to everything on the ice.