O2 to rename Belfast arena in long-term partnership
Telecommunications and entertainment company O2 has entered a long-term agreement to take over the naming rights of Belfast’s Odyssey complex, with the 11,200-capacity venue set to become The O2 Belfast from July 1.
The arena, currently known as The SSE Arena, is operated by The Odyssey Trust, which confirmed the partnership. The wider Odyssey complex has played a key role in Northern Ireland’s entertainment, leisure and education landscape since opening in 2000, also housing facilities such as the W5 Science and Discovery Centre and Odyssey Place. The venue is home to the Belfast Giants ice hockey team.
The deal adds Belfast to O2’s existing UK venue network, which now spans 21 venues across 14 cities, including The O2, O2 Academy Brixton, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, O2 Academy Glasgow and O2 Apollo Manchester.
As part of the partnership, O2 customers will benefit from early ticket access via its Priority platform, which the company reports handled 1.7 million ticket sales in 2025. Plans also include the introduction of an O2 Blueroom at the venue, offering a dedicated hospitality space for O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers.
“Live music and entertainment is in O2’s DNA and we couldn’t be more excited to have a new home in Northern Ireland,” said Gareth Griffiths, director of partnerships and sponsorship at Virgin Media O2.
“With The Odyssey Trust, we look forward to connecting visitors, enhancing the live experience and leveraging the power of O2’s network and benefits of Priority for our customers, at the largest arena in Northern Ireland. We can’t wait to welcome you to The O2 Belfast in July.”
The agreement also includes O2 becoming title sponsor of the Belfast Giants, marking its first involvement in ice sports as well as its first major team sponsorship in Northern Ireland.
The Belfast arena remains an active stop on the touring circuit, with upcoming shows from Yungblud, The Prodigy and Niall Horan.