Friendship Four

Tournament Tickets Science & Discovery Month Sponsors Advisory Board News
Individual Games & Weekend Passes

2025 Tickets on Sale Now!

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Individual Games & Weekend Passes

2025 Tickets on Sale Now!

Purchase Here Purchase Here
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Check Out the Teams!

The Friendship Four returns to The SSE Arena, Belfast on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November 2025 when the the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Union College, and Miami University go head-to-head for the Belpot Trophy at The SSE Arena, Belfast!

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Ring the Bell!

Co-authored by Robert Fitzpatrick and Joe Bertagna, ‘Ring the Bell!’ is a brand-new book that explores the history and growth of the Friendship Four college ice hockey tournament. Chronicling the origins and impact of the Friendship Four, which has produced no less than 13 Belfast Giants, the book not only explores the 20 different NCAA universities that have taken part, but also describes how the friendships formed have endured and developed.
Available Now

Individual Game Tickets & Weekend Passes Available

GAME SCHEDULE & TICKET INFORMATION

Priced at £39.00 for adults (16+) and £22.00 for children, a weekend pass secures your seat for all four Friendship Four games over Friday 28 and Saturday 29 November 2025.

Friday 28 November 2025

Union Garrett Chargers vs Sacred Heart University - 2pm

R.I.T. Tigers vs Miami Red Hawks - 7pm

Saturday 29 November 2025

Third Place Playoff Game – 3pm

Championship Game – 7pm

Individual tickets and weekend passes are on sale now and available to purchase here.

2025 Travel Packages

Cara Group Travel continue its long-running partnership with the Friendship Four and Friendship Series to help visitors from North America with their travel needs for the tournament.

Be part of the action and join thousands of fans descending into Belfast in 2025. The Friendship Four promises high-energy on-ice action and fierce competition between four of the top NCAA men's ice hockey teams!

As the tournament's official travel partner, the following is included in Cara Group Travel's 2025 travel packages:

- Weekend game passes (Friday & Saturday).

- Access to pre-game receptions and VIP tournament events.

- Thanksgiving dinner and entertainment with your team.

- Cara Group Travel tournament support staff throughout your trip.

- Airport meet and greet.

- Special Cara Group Travel airline discount code to book Aer Lingus flights.

- Pre-order access to tournament merchandise.

Don't miss out on the action in Northern Ireland. Book your Friendship Four travel package with Cara Group Travel here.

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2026, 2027 & 2028 Travel Packages

The Friendship Four will be returning to The SSE Arena, Belfast in 2026, 2027, and 2028, and you can register your interest in travel packages with Cara Group Travel.

2026: The University of Connecticut, Providence College, the University of Minnesota Duluth & Colgate University.

2027: The University of North Dakota, Northeastern University, Quinnipiac University & the University of Wisconsin.

2028: The University of Notre Dame, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Maine & Dartmouth College.

For more information about travel packages and to register interest, please click here.

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Tickets & Travel

2025 Game Tickets2025 Travel Packages

Science & Discovery Month

Throughout November, Science & Discovery Month returns to W5 and W5 LIFE. The month-long series of workshops, shows, and events will promote and celebrate innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Discover the Programme

The month-long series of workshops, shows, and events highlighted innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Discover some of the highlights below, or head to the news section for full event listings and information.

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Space to Learn - Careers Conference

Dates throughout November 2025, W5 Life

With over a decade of experience in telling the stories of space science and exploration though a wide range of curriculum topics, W5 LIFE in collaboration with the National Space Academy will be delivering a bespoke and intensive training event helping teachers to integrate space into classroom teaching.

This hands-on, curriculum linked event is free for participating teachers and includes resources and support materials to take back to the classroom. To register your interest in this two hour Teacher Twilight CPD session, please contact the team educationqueries@w5online.co.uk.

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The Big Bridge Challenge

11 - 14 November 2025, W5 Life

Designed to ignite passion and curiosity about engineering, this event will transform W5 LIFE’s space into a hands-on construction zone, where you will help us to bring science, technology and teamwork to life. Working as a team, you will build our 13-metre-long, 3-metre-high cable-stayed bridge in an interactive, totally hands-on workshop that will give you the excitement of engineering in a fun and accessible way.

To book this activity for your school, or for more information on the programme and how to participate, please contact the team at educationqueries@w5online.co.uk.

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Play with Pixels: Retro Game Makers

Saturday 22 November, W5 Life

Step into the world of game design and learn how to create & code your very own retro-style video game. In this fun and creative session, you’ll bring your ideas to life on screen while exploring the basics of coding through play. Suitable for ages 9+, with parents required to stay and join in the adventure.

Session 1: 10.30AM -12PM

Session 2: 2PM – 3.30PM

Although FREE of charge, this session must be booked in advance through Eventbrite.

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Construction Event with CITB

Wednesday 26 November, W5

Join us for a special interactive event co-hosted with the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland (CITB) and W5 focused for Year 10 students to promote careers in construction. Students will hear from guest speakers from CITB and Belfast Metropolitan College covering all the latest information on the Northern Ireland construction industry and will find out about the various avenues into those careers, as well as finding out about the many roles available.

They will also engage in hands-on workshops (led by construction representatives) including bricklaying, thatching, civil engineering and joinery. For more information and to book a place please contact the team educationqueries@w5online.co.uk.

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The Big STEM Day at W5

Friday 28 November, W5

As part of the build-up to the 2025 Friendship Four between the Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Miami University, and Union College, W5 will open its doors to 1,000 young people attending the opening game with their school.

Schools will be able to access over 250 amazing interactive exhibits in four incredible exhibition areas, which provide lots of opportunities to engage with all aspects of science, technology, engineering and maths. There will also be different activities taking place pre-game, including special science shows and activities to get your game face ready!

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2025 Sponsors & Partners

Gold Partnership

Includes: Title sponsorship, company branding on eight rink boards, luxury suite for up to 40 people for the two days of the tournament & 100 complimentary tickets.
Enquire Now

Silver Partnership

Includes: Company branding on four rink boards, luxury suite for up to 16 people for the two days of the tournament & 50 complimentary tickets.
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Bronze Partnership

Includes: Company branding on two rink boards, luxury suite for up to 16 people for the first day of the tournament & 25 complimentary tickets.
Enquire Now

Hospitality

Includes: Luxury suite for up to 16 people for the two days of the tournament, access to a private bar & an extensive food and drink menu.
Enquire Now

Full Sponsorship & Hospitality Menu

For more information about our range of sponsorship and hospitality options, download the full menu below.

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NCAA Sponsorship Form

The Friends of the Friendship Four

Founded in 2024, the Friends of the Friendship Four Advisory Board is a new legacy committee dedicated to the growth and development of the Friendship Four ice hockey tournament, with a focus on growing relationships with collegiate ice hockey programmes across the United States.

Reporting to Robert Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust, and chaired by Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust, the Friends of the Friendship Four Advisory Board is comprised of eight members in total, who will meet twice a year – once in Boston and once at the annual Friendship Four tournament in Belfast.

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Robert Fitzpatrick, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust

Robert Fitzpatrick was appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust Company Ltd (OTC) in 2007 and has since built and developed strong relationships with colleagues in Boston.

Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust

Martin McDowell was appointed Chair of The Odyssey Trust in 2021, having been an external advisor for over 15 years before joining the Board. Martin has also served on the Board of the Royal Belfast Academical Institution for more than seven years.

Ralph Cox, Ambassador of the Friendship Four

Ralph Cox was a two-time All-American ice hockey player at the University of New Hampshire and went on to play professionally, having been picked 122nd overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1977 NHL Draft. Ralph is also a founding member and Principal of Redgate, with over 30 years of real estate experience.

Joe Bertagna, Former Commissioner of Hockey East

Joe Bertagna has spent over half a century in hockey as a player, coach, administrator, and journalist. A goaltender at Harvard University from 1969-73, Joe has spent 50 years coaching goaltenders, including six seasons with the Boston Bruins and with the 1994 U.S. Olympic Team.

Sarah Fraser, Deputy Director of Athletics at Quinnipiac University

Sarah Fraser was an All-American ice hockey player at Dartmouth College in 1998 and served on the U.S. National Team that won a silver medal in the 1999 World Championships.

Sara Stanton, Owner and Managing Director of Cara Group Travel

Sara Stanton is the Owner and Managing Director of New England-based tour operator, Cara Group Travel, which was established In 2012. Specialising in group travel to Europe, Cara Group Travel is the long-standing travel partner of the Friendship Four, helping visitors from North America with all their travel needs.

Steve Hagwell, Former Commissioner of the Eastern College Athletic Conference

Steve Hagwell was named Commissioner by the ECAC Hockey athletics administrator in March 2005 after serving in an acting role in April 2004. In his role, Steve oversaw the overall management and operation of ECAC Hockey, including but not limited to scheduling, finances, officiating, championships, and sponsorship.

Steve Thornton, Group Head of Commercial and Hockey at The Odyssey Trust

Having spent four years at Boston University, Steve Thornton joined the Belfast Giants as a player in 2002 before becoming a player-coach in 2007. From Canada, Steve has become The Trust’s Group Head of Commercial and Hockey, now proudly calling Northern Ireland home.