The lowest ticket price and the best-value skate can be different things. A longer session only saves you money per hour if you can use the extra time. Start with the admission total, then compare the part of the session you will actually skate.
The published starting prices
These are source-checked reference prices as of September 17, 2026. They are not a quote for every session or every skater.
| Public skate | Published admission | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial, ages 13 and up | $12 | Rental included |
| Centennial, ages 5–12 | $10 | Rental included |
| Ford matinee | $10.98 + tax | Rental included |
| Ford evening | $13.73 + tax | Rental included |
Sources: Metro’s Centennial public-skating rates and Ford’s published prices. Metro also lists reduced rates for several groups, free admission for children four and under, and a credit-card convenience fee. Its rate page predates the current operating arrangement, so compare it with the selected session’s checkout before treating a discount or payment term as final.
Why the longer session can win
Take a concrete example from our retained September 16 listings. Centennial’s morning public skate ran from 10:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with a listed adult rate of $12. Dividing that ticket by the full two and a half hours gives $4.80 per scheduled hour, before any applicable checkout fee. See that dated session.
That calculation describes the opportunity the ticket bought, not how long everyone skated. Arrive at noon and the same ticket buys you 45 usable minutes. Take an hour of breaks and your personal cost per skating hour is different again.
The practical comparison is the amount you will pay divided by the hours you will use. A shorter nearby session may be the better purchase when the longer one starts before you can get there.
Plan your visit Prices, rentals & more
- Admission
- Public-skate rates are listed in DaySmart. Some adult sessions use a $13.73 ticket instead of $12; check the price on your chosen session. Youth and military, college student and senior tickets are $10. Source · 2026-09-18Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skates & rentals
- Rental skates are included with public-skate admission. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Booking & check-in
- As of May 1, 2026, Nashville Predators management runs Centennial Ice Rink. Public Skate registration now requires a free DASH by DaySmart Recreation account (phone, tablet, or desktop) rather than walk-in sign-up; Open Hockey & Stick + Puck and Adult League session listings were marked 'check back soon' at time of research. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skating with children
- Parents are responsible for watching their own children at all times, and children 13 and younger cannot be left unattended in the lobby. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Parking & arrival
- The Sportsplex site map shows a Lower Lot next to the Front Door Entrance, an Upper Lot north of the building near the Brandau Entrance, parking spaces along Brandau Place, a free parking area across 25th Avenue North, paid street parking on 25th Avenue North, and a paid parking garage near Elliston Place. Vehicle entrances are on 25th Avenue North and Brandau Place. Source · 2026-09-16Review due · confirm the current policy
- Accessibility
- The Sportsplex's main (Front Door) entrance provides accessible entry. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
Compare the whole outing
Use the adult or youth rate that actually applies to your group. Include rental charges where they are separate, add checkout fees, and check whether a discount has conditions. Avoid comparing one rink’s before-tax figure with another rink’s final total.
Travel matters too. Saving a small amount on admission can be a poor trade if the alternative adds a long drive or makes you miss the opening part of the session. Our Nashville map helps put the options in context; the public-skate listings show the sessions to compare.
Do not price a recreational outing against freestyle or stick and puck just because the listing is cheaper. Choose the appropriate session type before comparing rates and durations.
Plan your visit Prices, rentals & more
- Admission
- Public Skate costs $10.98 for matinee sessions and $13.73 for evening sessions, both plus tax. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skates & rentals
- Rental skates are included in the Public Skate admission price; there is no separate rental fee. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Booking & check-in
- Public Skate is online-registration only (create a free DASH account); walk-up sign-up isn't offered. Check in at the front desk before skating. Cancellations need 24 hours' notice for a refund; later cancellations are credited to the account instead. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skating with children
- Children 13 and younger can't be left unattended in the lobby, and children 5 and younger can't be left unattended on the ice unless they're in a class or event. A signed waiver (guardian signature for minors) is required before skating, and guests may not carry children or bags while skating. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
Plan your visit Prices, rentals & more
- Admission
- Matinee Public Skates are $10.98 + taxes and Evening Public Skates are $13.73 + taxes. These prices include rental skates if needed. Public skate sessions are limited to online registration. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skates & rentals
- Rental skates are included in the Public Skate prices ($10.98 matinee, $13.73 evening, plus taxes) if needed. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Booking & check-in
- Public Skate is online-registration only (create a free DASH account); walk-up sign-up isn't offered. Check in at the front desk before skating. Cancellations need 24 hours' notice for a refund; later cancellations are credited to the account instead. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Skating with children
- Children 13 and younger can't be left unattended in the lobby, and children 5 and younger can't be left unattended on the ice unless they're in a class or event. A signed waiver (guardian signature for minors) is required before skating, and guests may not carry children or bags while skating. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Parking & arrival
- Ford Ice Center Bellevue is off Highway 70 near One Bellevue Place, with parking in front of the building. Enter through the doors labeled Ford Ice Center, not the adjoining Community Center doors. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
- Accessibility
- Inside the main entrance, between the Community Center and Ford Ice Center doors, the building has stairs and an elevator serving the second level. Source · 2026-10-11Review due · confirm the current policy
Check seasonal offers separately
A past promotion is not evidence that a free skate is available today. Before including a free event or outdoor rink in your budget, look for a current announcement with a date, admission terms, and any reservation requirement. Leave it out of the comparison if those details are missing.
The recommendation
Check Centennial first when you want a longer public skate, then compare the Ford locations against the time you have available. Confirm the final price on the rink’s booking page. If choosing the rink itself is still the difficult part, our Nashville rink comparison explains why each option belongs on the shortlist.
This is a researched price comparison, not a claim of personal purchases by the author. Prices and schedules were checked for this rewrite; links to dated sessions are examples, while current listings may differ.