The Legacy of Friendship Four lives on in 2024
Friendship Four is the only international sporting event where American colleges play outside of the United States.
And of all the places in the world, they come to play in our very own capital city, Belfast.
Any guesses which sport we’re talking about?
Yep, you got it – ice hockey!
The tournament is played at the SSE Arena, home of the Belfast Giants, who made history in 2000 when they became the first professional ice hockey team on the island of Ireland.
After three months on the road, the team took to their home ice in Belfast for the first time in December 2000. Their momentous sell-out opening night captured the hearts of the entire nation and started an ice hockey phenomenon that remains today.
If you’ve lived in Northern Ireland in the last twenty-something years, it’s fairly likely that you’ve spent a Friday night or two at the SSE Arena cheering on the ‘Teal Army.’
Do you remember the craic? From the mesmerizing skills and electric atmosphere to the delicious food and drink and brilliant music - you’d find yourself on the edge of your seat from start to finish and screaming at the top of your lungs like a lifelong fan.
Back to the main event.
The Friendship Four is a men’s ice hockey tournament that has been held annually in Belfast since 2015.
Yes, it is a thrilling sports event that sees four universities battle it out for the highly coveted Belpot trophy.
But it’s so much more than that.
This high-profile event was designed to promote education, social welfare and community interaction between sister cities of Belfast and Boston.
(Did you know we’ve been ‘sisters’ with Boston for a decade? Well, now you know!)
The Sister City agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural, faith-based exchanges, and educational linkages between the two cities, as well as increased awareness of Belfast and Boston as high-growth cities in the connected Health and life sciences, Creative industries, Tourism, Financial services, and Knowledge economy sectors.
Since 2015, players, supporters and families from the US have enjoyed a week-long educational experience in Northern Ireland.
They stop by our most iconic landmarks, like the Giants Causeway and Titanic Belfast, get a taste of our world-class food and drink and vibrant culture, and even visit some of our local schools.
We love to see it.
For nearly 10 years, the Friendship Four has been underpinned by a desire to provide unique and memorable experiences for North American student-athletes, both on and off the ice, and to offer them not just the opportunity to play ice hockey but to have a rounded, cultural experience right here in Belfast.
Each year, four teams are selected to participate in the tournament which is typically held on the same weekend as Thanksgiving in the United States.
This year the University of Notre Dame, Boston University, Harvard University, and Merrimack College will be going head-to-head on Friday 29 and Saturday 30 November 2024.
If you’re flying home later this month, we strongly recommend you get yourself a ticket to one of the games. Sports fan or not, we guarantee you’ll have the time of your life.
You couldn’t not be impressed by the sheer speed and non-stop nature of the game. Blink, sneeze, or look away for even a split-second – and you might miss a goal!
Prices are subject to change, but right now they are £12 per adult and £6 per child.
Not half bad for a front-row seat to some of the top ice hockey talent in the world.
And the good news just keeps on a’comin.
Following the two-game women’s ice hockey Friendship Series earlier this year, it has just been announced that in January 2026, for the first time in history, four women’s teams will take part in the Friendship Series in Belfast.
Go on the girls! We’re delighted to see the women’s game included in the tournament and have already earmarked it in our calendar.
When there’s a chance for our country to show off on the international sporting stage, we’re all over it.
That’s why we’re delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Friendship Four series and couldn’t be more excited to welcome both new and old friends from across the pond.
And we’re talkin’ big numbers.
Last year, the televised tournament showcased Northern Ireland’s passion for the sport not only to the 20,000 spectators who came to the SSE Arena to watch the games, but to the millions that tuned in across the USA and Canada.
So if you’re in the country later this month, get your skates on and get down to the SSE Arena for an ice-cold showdown. See you there!
