Miami University's Redhawks triumph in the Friendship Four, a decade-long celebration of North American ice hockey in Belfast. The tournament, held at The SSE Arena from November 28-29, 2025, showcased the talents of Rochester Institute of Technology, Sacred Heart University, Miami University, and Union College. This marks the first and only NCAA Division 1 men's ice hockey tournament outside North America, organized by The Odyssey Trust since 2015. The event aims to foster cultural exchange and community engagement, inspired by the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston. The 10th anniversary celebrated education, social welfare, and economic development, with Martin McDowell praising the growth of the Friendship Four into a flagship event for Belfast. The tournament also featured Science & Discovery Month, offering interactive workshops and exhibitions at W5 and W5 LIFE, culminating in The Big STEM Day, providing free access to hundreds of local schoolchildren before the opening game. The Odyssey Trust's CEO, Paul McMahon, highlighted the tournament's success as a sporting spectacle and international platform. Looking ahead, the Friendship Four will expand with the Friendship Series, featuring women's teams in January 2026, marking a significant milestone in the tournament's history.
