Upcoming Event: Men's Ice Hockey versus Simon Fraser (Exhibition) on October 3, 2025 at 7:00 P.M.
Men's Ice Hockey
vs Simon Fraser (Exhibition)
7:00 P.M.
Providence College Athletics
Men's Hockey To Participate In 2026 Friendship Four
9/23/2025 1:00:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
The Friars will appear for the second time in the tournament.
BOSTON, Mass. – The Odyssey Trust has announced the participants for the next three Friendship Four ice hockey tournaments to take place at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The Providence College men's hockey program will compete in the 2026 Friendship Four (Nov. 27-28, 2026) – joined by UConn, Minnesota Duluth and Colgate. The Friars will make their second appearance in the tournament after finishing as a runner-up in the 2017 Friendship Four.
Founded by The Odyssey Trust and held annually at The SSE Arena, Belfast, the Friendship Four is the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ice hockey tournament to take place outside of North America. Since its inception in 2015, the tournament has become a flagship event in Northern Ireland's sporting calendar, bringing world-class collegiate hockey to Belfast while promoting education, cultural exchange, and community engagement.
In conjunction with the announcement in Boston, a special acknowledgement 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.
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."
Ticket/travel information and matchups will be announced at a later date.
For more updates on the Providence College men's hockey program, follow the team on X & Instagram @FriarsHockey.
Founded by The Odyssey Trust and held annually at The SSE Arena, Belfast, the Friendship Four is the first and only National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I ice hockey tournament to take place outside of North America. Since its inception in 2015, the tournament has become a flagship event in Northern Ireland's sporting calendar, bringing world-class collegiate hockey to Belfast while promoting education, cultural exchange, and community engagement.
In conjunction with the announcement in Boston, a special acknowledgement 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.
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."
Ticket/travel information and matchups will be announced at a later date.
For more updates on the Providence College men's hockey program, follow the team on X & Instagram @FriarsHockey.
Men's Ice Hockey vs. Boston College
Thursday, March 07
Men's Ice Hockey vs. Boston University
Thursday, February 28
Men's Ice Hockey vs. Massachusetts
Saturday, February 23
Men's Ice Hockey vs. UMass Lowell
Saturday, February 16
