'We couldn't be more excited to have a new home in Northern Ireland': Odyssey complex to be renamed as The O2 Belfast in major 10-year deal

Belfast’s iconic The Odyssey Complex is set to be renamed The O2 Belfast from 1 July 2026, following a landmark 10-year naming rights agreement with Virgin Media O2.

The deal will see the 11,200-capacity arena and wider entertainment campus fully rebranded under the O2 name, marking the latest expansion of the brand’s UK live entertainment portfolio, which now spans 21 venues across 14 cities.

The agreement replaces the current sponsorship arrangement with SSE, which is due to end in July 2026, and includes title sponsorship of the Belfast Giants, who are based at the arena and are the most successful team in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The venue is operated by The Odyssey Trust, the charity responsible for managing and developing Northern Ireland’s flagship Millennium Project site, which also includes the W5 science centre, W5 LIFE digital learning facility and Odyssey Place leisure complex.

Under the new agreement, O2 will also become a key connectivity and digital partner for the site, investing in infrastructure upgrades including a dedicated fibre network, expanded WiFi and enhanced 5G coverage for visitors.

Announcing the partnership on Tuesday, Gareth Griffiths, director of partnerships and sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, said the move reflects the brand’s long-standing focus on live entertainment and customer experience.

He said: “Live music and entertainment is in O2's DNA and we couldn't be more excited to have a new home in Northern Ireland. 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.”

Paul McMahon, chief executive of The Odyssey Trust, said the agreement marked a significant new chapter for the venue.

He said: “We are delighted to welcome O2 as the site’s new naming rights partner of The O2 Belfast. This partnership marks an exciting chapter and reflects our shared ambition to deliver unforgettable, world-class experiences for the people of Northern Ireland and beyond.

“By working together, we look forward to building on the site’s already strong reputation and ensuring that we continue to deliver the best experience every time for all who visit the campus for years to come.”

As part of the deal, O2 customers will also gain access to Priority Tickets pre-sales for all shows at The O2 Belfast from July 2026, giving early access to thousands of events each year.

The partnership also strengthens O2’s involvement in sport, with the company becoming principal sponsor of the Belfast Giants, marking a major milestone for the only professional ice hockey team on the island of Ireland. With the team now carrying the O2 branding, the Giants will join England’s men’s and women’s international rugby union teams as part of a long-standing sponsorship portfolio spanning more than 30 years.

While financial terms have not been disclosed, both parties described the agreement as a long-term investment in the future of live entertainment, sport and education in Northern Ireland.

Under the wider deal, Virgin Media O2 will also transform connectivity at the venue by deploying its own fibre network, doubling existing capacity, introducing O2 WiFi, and rolling out 5G coverage for customers in the arena later this summer—reinforcing its commitment to delivering enhanced digital experiences. The investment builds on wider infrastructure upgrades across Northern Ireland, including 5G expansion to more than 1,000 postcodes in the past year.

SSE Airtricity will continue its long-standing relationship with the arena as official energy partner, maintaining its presence in the SSE Rewards Lounge and supporting The Odyssey Trust on its sustainability initiatives.