Belfast Giants and Pure Michigan Join Forces for 2025/26 Season
The Belfast Giants and Pure Michigan are proud to announce a new partnership for the 2025/26 season, marking an exciting transatlantic collaboration between the only professional ice hockey team on the island of Ireland and America’s Great Lakes State.
Pure Michigan is the official travel-and-tourism brand for the U.S. state of Michigan, designed to spotlight the state’s diverse destinations, experiences and seasonal charms — from vibrant cities and cultural hubs to pristine Great Lakes coastlines, rugged wilderness, historic small towns and snow-covered winter landscapes.
Steve Thornton, Sports Director at The Odyssey Trust, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Pure Michigan – an organisation that shares our passion for community and creating unforgettable experiences. The Belfast Giants have always been about bringing people together, and this partnership allows us to do that on an even greater scale, connecting fans here in Northern Ireland with the unique spirit and energy of Michigan.”
The sponsorship celebrates Michigan’s rich ice hockey heritage and the Giants’ growing influence in the sport. Michigan is renowned as a hockey powerhouse, home to world-class programs at the University of Michigan, Western Michigan University (WMU), and Michigan State University (MSU). Notably, Michigan State University currently boasts the #1 ranked college hockey team in the U.S., further cementing the state’s reputation at the forefront of the sport.
Kelly Wolgamott, Vice President of Pure Michigan, added: “Pure Michigan is excited to partner with the Belfast Giants and bring a taste of Michigan to Northern Ireland’s ice hockey fans. Michigan has a proud hockey tradition, and this collaboration gives us a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that heritage on an international stage.”
For more information about Pure Michigan, please click here.