Sports in Middle Tennessee: A Guide to Pro and College Teams
Sports in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee bring fans year-round excitement, from NFL and NHL games to college football, Major League Soccer, Triple-A baseball, NASCAR, and PGA golf. The region is home to major teams like the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators, and Nashville SC, as well as Division I college programs including Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State University, Belmont, and Tennessee State University. Whether you’re catching a game at Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena, GEODIS Park, or a college campus, Middle Tennessee offers plenty of ways to experience the energy of live sports.
This guide covers the top professional and collegiate teams, their venues, game day experiences, and fun facts you might not know about your favorite Tennessee teams.
Professional Sports in Middle Tennessee
From NFL and NHL matchups in downtown Nashville to Triple-A baseball and NASCAR events across the region, Middle Tennessee delivers non-stop action for sports fans. With major venues like Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena, and GEODIS Park, the area is home to nationally recognized teams and high-energy game day experiences just a short drive from Franklin, Brentwood, and surrounding communities.
Tennessee Titans (NFL)
The Titans have been a fixture in Nashville since relocating from Houston in 1997. They’ve built a strong fan base across Middle Tennessee and compete in the AFC South division of the NFL. With memorable playoff runs and standout players, the team remains central to the state’s professional sports identity.
They play at Nissan Stadium, located along the Cumberland River in downtown Nashville. The open-air venue offers skyline views and a lively atmosphere on game days. The New Nissan Stadium, a fully enclosed, state-of-the-art facility, is currently under construction next door and is expected to open in 2027. Once complete, the venue will host Titans games, concerts, and other major events year-round.
Fun Fact: The Titans’ first home game in Tennessee was played at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis in 1997, while they were still known as the Oilers. The team played the 1998 season at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville before moving into their own venue, Adelphia Coliseum, in 1999, the same year they made it to Super Bowl XXXIV.
Nashville Predators (NHL)
The Predators have helped transform Nashville into a hockey town since joining the NHL as an expansion team in 1998. Known for their fast-paced play, playoff success, and loyal fan base, the team’s “Smashville” identity includes spirited chants and unique in-game rituals.
They play at Bridgestone Arena, located on Lower Broadway in the heart of downtown Nashville. The venue consistently ranks among the loudest and most exciting in the NHL. In addition to hockey, Bridgestone hosts concerts, basketball tournaments, and special events throughout the year.
Fun Fact: The catfish toss, a quirky tradition where fans throw a whole, dead catfish onto the ice, started in the Predators’ inaugural season, inspired by Detroit’s octopus toss and rooted in Tennessee’s fishing culture.
Nashville SC (MLS)
Since joining Major League Soccer in 2020, Nashville SC has built a strong and growing fan base. The team is known for its organized supporter groups, intense matches, and a style of play that continues to evolve as the club grows. Match days feature a festive atmosphere with chants, drums, and fans decked out in gold.
The team plays at GEODIS Park in South Nashville, the largest soccer-specific stadium in the United States. The venue includes over 30,000 seats, steep sightlines, and a design focused on fan engagement. On game days, the area comes alive with food trucks, fan zones, and a vibrant stadium experience that extends well beyond the pitch.
Fun Fact: Nashville SC’s first-ever MLS match, held on February 29, 2020, at Nissan Stadium, set a Tennessee soccer attendance record with 59,069 fans in attendance, the largest crowd for a soccer match in state history at the time.
Nashville Sounds (Triple-A Baseball)
The Sounds are the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers and have been part of Nashville’s sports landscape since 1978. Known for family-friendly entertainment and a casual ballpark atmosphere, the team draws fans throughout the summer with themed promotions and strong local support.
They play at First Horizon Park in the Germantown neighborhood, just north of downtown Nashville. Inside the stadium, just beyond right field, is The Band Box, a 4,000‑square‑foot outdoor restaurant and bar featuring ping-pong, cornhole, shuffleboard, and a large wrap‑around bar for socializing.
Fun Fact: First Horizon Park features a nine-hole mini-golf course tucked inside The Band Box, making it one of the only professional baseball stadiums in the country where you can play a round while watching the game.
Nashville Superspeedway (NASCAR)
NASCAR made its return to Middle Tennessee with the reopening of Nashville Superspeedway in 2021. The track hosts the annual Cracker Barrel 400 (formerly the Ally 400), as well as events from the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series. Its comeback has revived regional interest in stock car racing and brought national attention back to the area.
The speedway is located in Lebanon, about 30 miles east of downtown Nashville, making it an easy day trip for fans in Franklin, Brentwood, and the surrounding areas. The facility includes 25,000 permanent grandstand seats, with the ability to expand to 38,000 using temporary seating during major events. The venue offers a full-scale race day experience complete with pre-race concerts, tailgating, and fan zones.
Fun Fact: Although it opened in 2001, Nashville Superspeedway didn’t host a NASCAR Cup Series race until 2021, making it the longest gap between a track’s opening and its Cup Series debut in modern NASCAR history.
Simmons Bank Open (Korn Ferry Tour)
The Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Korn Ferry Tour, where players seek to earn their PGA Tour cards. The event draws serious golf fans and has become a key stop on the developmental tour’s calendar. It’s typically held in September as part of the Korn Ferry Tour Finals series.
The tournament is hosted at Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, specifically on the North Course. The private club provides a polished, spectator-friendly environment and offers a strong local setting for pro-level golf. With rolling fairways, elevated greens, and scenic surroundings, it delivers both a challenging test for players and an enjoyable experience for fans.
Fun Fact: The Simmons Bank Open’s Sandtrap fan area includes live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities, giving the tournament a festival-like feel.
College Sports in Tennessee
Several college athletic programs in Tennessee attract statewide attention and dedicated fan bases. From SEC football to high-profile basketball and baseball teams, college sports contribute significantly to the state’s sports landscape.
University of Tennessee Volunteers – Knoxville
The University of Tennessee Volunteers compete in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and enjoy one of the most dedicated fan bases in the South. Their football team plays at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, which ranks as the sixth-largest college football stadium in the U.S. and the third-largest in the SEC. Game days are electric, with crowds filling the city for tailgates and classic SEC showdowns that turn the whole town orange. The Volunteers also field strong teams in men’s and women’s basketball, with the Lady Vols basketball program historically dominant.
Fun Fact: The Vol Navy, fans who tailgate by boat on the Tennessee River, started in 1962 when broadcaster George Mooney docked his boat near the stadium to avoid traffic. That one boat sparked a tradition that now sees hundreds lining the river on game days.
Vanderbilt University Commodores – Nashville
Also in the SEC, Vanderbilt fields Division I teams in football, basketball, and baseball. The football program plays at FirstBank Stadium, located on the university’s Nashville campus. While football crowds are smaller than some SEC rivals, Vanderbilt’s baseball program is nationally ranked and has produced multiple College World Series titles and MLB players. Men’s and women’s basketball also compete in a strong Division I setting at Memorial Gymnasium.
Fun Fact: Vanderbilt’s Memorial Gymnasium is one of the most unusual arenas in college basketball, with team benches on the baselines instead of the sidelines. This distinctive setup has become part of the venue’s identity and plays into the mystique fans call “Memorial Magic.”
Belmont University Bruins – Nashville
The Belmont Bruins compete in the Missouri Valley Conference and are best known for their men’s and women’s basketball programs, which have made several NCAA tournament appearances. Games are played at the Curb Event Center on Belmont’s Nashville campus, drawing students, alumni, and local fans. The university’s proximity to downtown makes it an easy option for casual sports outings.
Fun Fact: Before joining NCAA Division I, Belmont won back-to-back NAIA national championships in men’s basketball in 1995 and 1996.
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – Chattanooga
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Mocs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Southern Conference and host home games at Finley Stadium in downtown Chattanooga. UTC is also known for its competitive men’s and women’s basketball teams, which play at McKenzie Arena, as well as a strong wrestling program. The Mocs enjoy strong regional support, particularly during rivalry games and postseason play.
Fun Fact: The school’s nickname “Mocs” originally referred to “Moccasins,” but in the 1990s, it was rebranded with a mockingbird, the state bird of Tennessee, as the mascot.
Lipscomb University Bisons – Nashville
The Lipscomb Bisons compete at the NCAA Division I level in the ASUN Conference. The men’s and women’s basketball teams have gained regional recognition in recent years and play home games at Allen Arena on Lipscomb’s Nashville campus. The university also fields competitive Division I teams in baseball, softball, soccer, and volleyball, making it an active contributor to Nashville’s college sports landscape.
Fun Fact: Lipscomb and Belmont have a storied basketball rivalry known as the “Battle of the Boulevard,” named for the short distance between the two Nashville campuses.
Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders – Murfreesboro
The Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Blue Raiders compete in NCAA Division I as members of Conference USA. Located about 35 miles southeast of Nashville, MTSU offers a full slate of collegiate athletics. The football team plays at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, while basketball and other sports are hosted at Murphy Center. With a history of NCAA tournament appearances and bowl game participation, the Blue Raiders provide Middle Tennessee residents with a local college sports option just outside Nashville.
Fun Fact: In 2016, MTSU’s men’s basketball team pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NCAA tournament history by defeating No. 2 seed Michigan State in the first round.
Tennessee State University Tigers – Nashville
Tennessee State University (TSU) competes in NCAA Division I as part of the Ohio Valley Conference. The football team plays at Nissan Stadium, sharing the venue with the Tennessee Titans, while basketball games are held at the Gentry Center on TSU’s campus. As one of the state’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), TSU has a proud athletic tradition and a legacy of producing professional athletes, particularly in football.
Fun Fact: TSU is one of only a few college programs in the country that play home football games in an NFL stadium.
Middle Tennessee Sports: A Winning Destination for Fans
From NFL Sundays and SEC rivalries to MLS match days and championship golf, Middle Tennessee offers something for every sports fan. With new venues on the horizon and year-round events across pro and college leagues, the region continues to grow as a top-tier destination for sports lovers in the heart of the South.
