BOSTON -- The Odyssey Trust officially announced, at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday afternoon, that the Northeastern men's hockey team will take part in the 2027 Friendship Four tournament, held annually at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Northeastern will be joined in the 2027 field by Quinnipiac University, the University of North Dakota, and the University of Wisconsin, as the four programs compete for the prestigious Belpot Trophy. 

Founded in 2015, the Friendship Four is the first and only NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament staged outside North America, quickly becoming a landmark event on Northern Ireland's sporting calendar. The tournament showcases elite collegiate hockey while promoting education, cultural exchange and community engagement.

Steve Thornton, Sports Director at The Odyssey Trust, said: "Reaching the 10-year anniversary of the Friendship Four is a remarkable achievement and a celebration of everything the tournament has come to represent. Over the past decade, Belfast has welcomed some of the top NCAA teams and inspired new generations of fans. As we look to the future, we are thrilled to confirm three outstanding lineups for 2026, 2027, and 2028, which promise to deliver more unforgettable hockey memories at The SSE Arena."
 
The high-profile tournament is designed to promote education, social welfare, and community interaction, building on the Sister Cities agreement between Belfast and Boston, signed a decade ago. The agreement aims to foster stronger economic development, trade and investment, tourism, youth, cultural exchanges, and educational linkages between the two cities, as well as to increase awareness of Belfast and Boston being growth cities in the connected health and life sciences, creative industries, tourism, financial services, and knowledge economy sectors. 
 
Martin McDowell, Chair of The Odyssey Trust, commented: "The Friendship Four began as an ambitious idea and has grown into an event that embodies the values of friendship, learning, and international collaboration. We are incredibly proud of the impact it has made in Belfast and beyond over the past decade, from building relationships with U.S. institutions to providing local communities with access to top-level sport. Announcing the 2026, 2027, and 2028 teams as we celebrate 10 years this year is the perfect way to look ahead with excitement and confidence."
 
In conjunction with the announcement in Boston, a special acknowledgment was also made to Ralph Cox, whose vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in the growth and success of the Friendship Four since its inception. Cox, who is a member of the Friends of the Friendship Four Advisory Board, was presented the Belfast Homecoming Ambassador Medal, a prestigious honour presented annually to outstanding individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to reconnecting with, investing in, and supporting Belfast.