NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament, the first of its kind outside North America, with four games for the Belpot Trophy at the O2 Belfast Centre.
Friendship Four returns to The O2 Belfast on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 November, bringing US college ice hockey back to the city for another two-day tournament. It's the first and only NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament held outside North America, and it's been coming to Belfast since 2015. The teams compete over the weekend for the Belpot Trophy, which Miami University took home last time in 2025.
Friday afternoon opens with Providence College taking on the University of Minnesota Duluth at 2pm, followed by Colgate University against the University of Connecticut at 7pm. Saturday is the business end: the Third Place Playoff Game at 3pm, and the Championship Game at 7pm. If you're following one particular team, you'll know exactly when to be in your seat; if you're just there for the hockey, the whole weekend works as a double-bill.
There's a bit of history behind it, too. The tournament was founded by The Odyssey Trust and grew out of a Sister Cities Agreement signed between Boston and Belfast in 2014, which was set up to encourage economic development, educational exchange, cultural ties and tourism. It took its inspiration from Boston's own Beanpot, a collegiate hockey event that's been running since 1952. Cara Group Travel, with offices in both Quincy, Massachusetts and Belfast, has been the official travel partner for the tournament for years.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Belfast and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The games are played at The O2 Belfast Centre in the Titanic Quarter, an indoor multi-purpose venue that holds up to 11,200. That's a fair crowd for a college tournament, and it's right in the heart of the quarter, so it's easy enough to get to. Friday's games are at 2pm and 7pm, and Saturday's are at 3pm and 7pm.
