Predators lean into music-themed promotions for new season

If you're trying to decide which Nashville Predators home game to attend this season, maybe a bobblehead of country music star Dierks Bentley could be the deciding factor.

Why it matters: The Predators lean into being a hockey team in Music City. The team lined up a series of music-themed promotions for its home games this season, including bobbleheads of Nashville entertainers.

• The Preds open the season at home Thursday night against Columbus. Players will participate in the pregame "gold walk" and every fan will receive an opening game T-shirt.

Driving the news: In addition to Bentley, there will also be bobblehead giveaways of country artist Luke Bryan and comedian Nate Bargatze. In a hockey-country music mashup, country star Carrie Underwood and her husband, former Predators player Mike Fisher, will also be featured in a bobblehead giveaway.

• Beyond bobbleheads, the team is also bringing back its music heritage nights, which celebrate the "diverse musical and cultural influences that make Nashville unique."
• Early-arriving fans will receive a collectible poster on each themed night. Hispanic musical heritage will be Oct. 25, Asian Pacific Islander musical heritage is Dec. 9 and Black music heritage will take place Jan. 20.

The intrigue: In an effort to preserve the raucous atmosphere Bridgestone Arena is known for, the Predators are restricting ticket sales to fans who reside in the Nashville television viewing area for 11 "gold games."

• The team offers ticket packages and future single-game sales to Nashville area fans to ensure the arena is heavy on Predators fans and not aggravating visitors from, say Chicago, for the Jan. 10 game against the Blackhawks.

Go deeper for the full list of Predators home game promotions, including the "gold games."