Axios’ Nate Rau broke the story, and it has sent Nashville into a frenzy. The potential of having a new stadium built, especially considering Nissan Stadium’s overall basic design and feel, has excited fans around the city. Supposedly, the stadium could be built on the current site, meaning that the Titans would have to play at some other venue for a period of time. While none of this is likely to happen before 2026, especially if Nashville is named as a host city for the World Cup, it is fun to fanaticize about what a new stadium could mean to the Titans and the city. But if Nashville is willing to fit the bill for a new stadium, what should the new stadium include?
1. Mixed Development
Whether is be SoFi Stadium, Truist Park or even Nashville SC’s new stadium, mixed-use development would likely be a part of a new stadium plan, as it should be. Nissan Stadium is in a great location - right across the river from Broadway, but mixed use development would bring the party, as well as jobs and perhaps residences to the east bank of the Cumberland. This, along with TopGolf and the new River North development (including Oracle’s campus) would expand the footprint of downtown, and make the city feel as if it’s development is surrounding the river, as opposed to mostly on one side of it.
2. A Roof/Dome
It would be silly for the team and city to spend a combined 1+ billion dollars and not include something which would for sure, at some point, bring a Super Bowl and other events to Nashville. Not only would it help the city land large events, and the tax revenue and jobs that those events might bring, but it would help prevent embarrassing mishaps, like the Garth Brooks concert fiasco. It would also, perhaps, improve the atmosphere of Titans games, much like the canopy at Nashville SC’s new stadium is slated to do. It would help to deflect more noise onto the field, and would help make the Titans homefield a harder place to play for opponents.
3. Premium Seating
In order to host a Super Bowl, and to justify the cost of building a new stadium, the building would likely feature more premium seating, like field-level seats or premium bowl seating. While this does, for many, take away the chance to sit on the 50 yard line, or maybe even the lower bowl, it would most definitely be included in a new stadium build.
4. Natural Grass Field
This is a personal opinion, but natural grass is just better. It plays better, looks better, and may even be safer. It may require more care and attention than turf, but something about turf, in my opinion, just takes away from the game.
5. Wild Card - Bleacher/standing section?
We’ve seen what The Backline can do for Nashville SC. Like many other supporters’ sections, it brings energy and life to a game and a stadium. The most loyal fans sing, chant, and cheer all game. While there might not be as constant chanting or singing, a bleacher or standing section, much like the Dawg Pound in Cleveland, would provide a space for the most loyal fans, and provide a great source of energy for the atmosphere of the stadium.
While it is possible that a new stadium might not come, the thought of it is irresistibly delicious. I for one, like many, cannot wait for May 1st, when NSC will open their new ground, but a new stadium in the heart of Nashville is definitely something to dream about.