Miami University Win Friendship Four in Belfast

Across the 28 and 29 November, The SSE Arena welcomed thousands of spectators across all games as Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Miami University, and Union College went head-to-head for the Belpot Trophy at the home of the Belfast Giants.

Founded by The Odyssey Trust and held in Belfast since 2015, the Friendship Four is the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 men’s ice hockey tournament to take place outside of North America. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the high-profile transatlantic tournament is designed to promote education, social welfare, and community interaction, building on the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston. The agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural, faith-based exchanges, and educational linkages between the two cities in the connected health and life sciences, creative industries, tourism, financial services, and knowledge economy sectors.

Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust, said: “Reaching the 10th anniversary of the Friendship Four is a proud moment for everyone involved. What began in 2015 as an ambitious cross-Atlantic idea has grown into a flagship event for Belfast – bringing world-class collegiate ice hockey to our city, while also building lasting educational, cultural, and sporting links – a key charitable objective of The Odyssey Trust.

“I’d like to congratulate Miami University on their success in this year’s tournament, and to thank all four teams for delivering another unforgettable weekend of hockey and friendship. As we look ahead, we do so with anticipation and excitement for both the return of the women’s tournament in January 2026 and the next instalments of the Friendship Four in 2026, 2027, and 2028.”

With a core focus of the Friendship Four being education, The Odyssey Trust’s ever-popular Science & Discovery Month returned to W5 and W5 LIFE in the lead up to the tournament. Throughout November, W5 and W5 LIFE worked alongside a range of industry partners, including the Association for Science and Discovery Centres, The King’s Trust, The Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Construction Industry Training Board Northern Ireland, to deliver a packed programme of hands-on workshops, shows, and events that highlighted innovation and discovery in science, technology, engineering, and maths.

The month-long series of programming culminated with the return of The Big STEM Day, which saw W5 open its doors to hundreds of local schoolchildren, providing free access to over 250 hands-on exhibits before they made their way across to The SSE Arena for the opening game of the Friendship Four between the Union Garrett Chargers and Sacred Heart Pioneers.

Paul McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust, commented: “This year’s tournament is another convincing demonstration of the Friendship Four’s success – both as a top sporting spectacle and as a platform for international partnership, tourism, and education. The continued support from our partners, the visiting universities, and our local community has made the event a highlight of Belfast’s calendar, and we’re grateful to everyone who helps make it possible.”

In addition to showcasing outstanding on-ice talent, the Friendship Four also provides a unique opportunity for North American student-athletes to have a global experience on the island of Ireland. During their time overseas, the four teams visited several iconic landmarks and tourist hotspots, including the Guinness Storehouse, The Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Giants Causeway, and the Titanic Museum. Teams also visited local primary schools across Belfast to meet pupils and to take part in fun-filled games and Q&A sessions.

Similarly, teams brought a piece of their own culture to Belfast, enjoying Thanksgiving meals with family and friends at venues across the city. The Sacred Heart student pep band also made the journey from the East Coast of the United States to Belfast in the day leading up to the tournament before raising the roof across both days at The SSE Arena.

On Friday 2 and Saturday 3 January 2026, for the first time ever, four women’s teams will take part in the Friendship Series, with Boston University, Harvard University, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth set to make history, following three successful two-team tournaments in 2019, 2020, and 2024. One-day and weekend passes are on sale now and available to purchase here.