Stanley Cup Final: Watch Parties Scheduled Downtown

NASHVILLE, TN — With tickets to the games virtually impossible to get or out of the price range of many fans, the outdoor watch parties for the Predators playoff games have become increasingly popular. In the first round sweep of the Chicago Blackhawks, they drew a few hundred to the plaza outside Bridgestone Arena. For the Western Conference clincher against the Ducks? Several thousand people jammed into Walk of Fame Park.

Metro, the convention and visitors bureau and the Preds will continue the popular event for the Stanley Cup Final, though some concessions will have to be made for a few games due to the CMA Fest. What's more, live concerts from surprise artists will kick-off the festivities for the home games June 3 and June 5. (For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Middle Tennessee Patch morning newsletter.)

For Games Three and Four, June 3 and June 5, a stage at Fifth and Broadway will face the Cumberland River, with large screens at the stage and in other locations. Broadway will be closed between Fifth Avenue and Third Avenue. The site will open at 3 p.m. with the concert at 4 p.m., pre-game broadcast shown starting at 5:30 p.m. and the game shown on screens starting at 7 p.m.

For Games 1 and 2, May 29 and May 31 in Pittsburgh, Preds Party in the Park will be held at Music City Walk of Fame Park as they were during the Western Conference Final. A large screen will show the pre-game broadcast starting at 6:30 p.m. with the game at 7 p.m. Official merchandise will be available for purchase, and DJ Robert Luke will be on hand to entertain the crowd.

During all the parties, Predators mascot GNASH and the Predators Energy Team are scheduled to make appearances. Food trucks will be on site, and sodas and beers also will be on sale. Bottled water and hot dogs will be available at low, family-friendly prices. Attendees are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to Walk of Fame Park. At the Broadway Smash, lawn chairs and small bags (no bigger than 12x12) will be allowed. For public safety, new house rules will be strictly enforced. No coolers, backpacks or large bags will be permitted at any of the parties.

Should additional games be necessary starting with Game 5 on June 8, locations for parties will remain downtown but in new locations due to the CMA Music Festival.

Here is the downtown party schedule for Games 1 to 4 of the Stanley Cup Final:

• Game 1, Monday, May 29, away game: Opens at 4 p.m. at Walk of Fame Park.
• Game 2, Wednesday, May 31, away game: Opens at 4 p.m. at Walk of Fame Park.
• Game 3, Saturday, June 3, home game: Opens at 3 p.m. on Lower Broadway.
• Game 4, Monday, June 5, home game: Opens at 3 p.m. on Lower Broadway.

If additional games are necessary, more details will be released about the following parties:

• Game 5, Thursday, June 8, away game: Opens at 4 p.m. inside Bridgestone Arena.
• Game 6, Sunday, June 11, home game: Opens at 4 p.m. on Lower Broadway at Fourth and Broadway and on Fifth Avenue with overflow at Walk of Fame Park in partnership with the CMA Music Festival.
• Game 7, Wednesday, June 14, away game: Opens at 4 p.m. at TBD.

Times and locations are subject to change. Parties will conclude after each game.

For Game 1 on May 29, Lyft is offering the first 500 customers going to/from Music City Walk of Fame Park for the Preds Party in the Park a free ride (up to $10/ride). Promo code: WINTHECUP.

Image via NCVC