The O2 Belfast to replace iconic Odyssey name in landmark 10-year deal as major rebrand confirmed
- Love Ballymena
- Apr 14
- 5 min read
Belfast’s landmark Odyssey complex is to be renamed The O2 Belfast under a new long-term partnership announced today, in a major rebrand that will reshape one of Northern Ireland’s best-known entertainment destinations from this summer.
The 10-year naming rights agreement, confirmed on Tuesday 14 April 2026, will see O2 become the official naming rights partner of the entire site, with the new name taking effect from 1 July 2026.
The move marks one of the most significant commercial changes in the venue’s history since it opened in 2000, affecting the entire campus, including Northern Ireland’s largest indoor arena, the home of the Belfast Giants, the W5 science and discovery centre, W5 LIFE, and Odyssey Place.
For audiences across Belfast and beyond, the immediate change means the venue will formally join O2’s UK-wide network of major entertainment sites, bringing exclusive Priority Tickets pre-sale access for O2 customers to all shows from July.
A major new chapter for one of Northern Ireland’s best-known venues
The announcement was made jointly by The Odyssey Trust, the charity established to oversee the management and development of Northern Ireland’s landmark Millennium Project, and O2, one of the UK’s leading telecommunications and entertainment brands.
Since opening in 2000, the Odyssey site has become Northern Ireland’s leading leisure, entertainment and education destination, anchored by its 11,200-capacity arena, the largest indoor entertainment venue in the region.
The arena has long been one of the country’s most recognisable venues for concerts, sport, live events and family entertainment, while also serving as the home base for the Belfast Giants, widely recognised as the most successful team in the history of the Elite Ice Hockey League.
Under the agreement, the entire complex will now be rebranded as The O2 Belfast.
The move places Belfast alongside some of the UK’s most recognisable live entertainment venues in O2’s portfolio, which spans 21 venues across 14 UK cities.
That includes sites such as The O2 in London, O2 Academy Brixton, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, O2 Academy Glasgow, and O2 Apollo Manchester.
Ticket access boost for O2 customers
One of the most immediate practical impacts for audiences will be ticket access.
From 1 July 2026, O2 customers will receive access to exclusive Priority Tickets pre-sales for all events and shows coming to The O2 Belfast.
The Priority platform allows customers to purchase tickets 48 hours before general release, offering early access to major concerts, comedy shows, sporting events and other live entertainment.
O2 said more than 1.7 million tickets were sold through Priority in 2025 alone, underlining the scale of the benefit being extended to Belfast audiences.
Gareth Griffiths, Director of Partnerships and Sponsorship at Virgin Media O2, 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.”
Giants sponsorship deal marks first move into ice sports
The agreement also carries major significance for sport in Northern Ireland.
As part of the partnership, O2 will become title sponsor of the Belfast Giants, marking what has been described as a major milestone for the only professional ice hockey team on the island of Ireland.
The team will now showcase the O2 logo, bringing one of the UK’s biggest sponsorship brands into Northern Ireland sport.
The company said the move represents its first step into ice sports and its first major sponsorship of a Northern Ireland-based team.
The development places the Giants alongside other major O2-backed sports partnerships, including its long-running sponsorship of England’s men’s and women’s rugby union teams, a relationship spanning more than three decades.
For the Giants and their supporters, the announcement represents a substantial commercial endorsement of the club’s continued profile and importance within Northern Ireland’s sporting landscape.
Education and STEM learning also included in the deal
The rebrand extends well beyond entertainment and sport.
As part of the wider agreement, O2 said it will support learners of all ages through both W5 and W5 LIFE, with exclusive discounts and benefits available through Priority.
W5 remains one of Northern Ireland’s flagship education and family destinations, featuring more than 250 STEM-based exhibits, alongside workshops and interactive science shows.
Meanwhile, W5 LIFE, the site’s digital learning facility, focuses on preparing learners with skills for an increasingly technology-led economy.
This aspect of the deal signals that the partnership is intended to reach across the full campus, not solely the arena and events business.
Paul McMahon, Chief Executive Officer of The Odyssey Trust, 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.”
Connectivity overhaul planned across the venue
Alongside the branding changes, Virgin Media O2 has also confirmed a major connectivity upgrade programme for the venue.
The company said it will deploy its own fibre network, which will double the existing capacity at the site.
The plans also include the introduction of O2 WiFi and the rollout of 5G coverage for O2 customers inside the arena later this summer.
The investment is intended to improve mobile data performance and digital connectivity for concertgoers, sports fans and visitors across the complex.
The company said the move builds on wider recent investment across Northern Ireland, including the rollout of 5G coverage to more than 1,000 new postcodes in the past 12 months.
That expansion is likely to be viewed as a significant infrastructure boost for one of the busiest event venues in the region, particularly during large-scale concerts and sold-out sporting fixtures where network demand can surge.
SSE Airtricity remains in place
Despite the new naming rights agreement, SSE Airtricity will continue its longstanding relationship with the arena.
The company will remain the venue’s official energy partner, continuing its role in customer rewards and sustainability initiatives.
This includes ongoing support through the SSE Rewards Lounge and work with The Odyssey Trust on the venue’s sustainability programme.
The continuation of that partnership ensures one of the venue’s most established commercial relationships remains in place alongside the new O2 branding.
The official rebrand to The O2 Belfast will come into force on 1 July 2026, marking the beginning of a new decade-long chapter for one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable destinations.
At a glance
The Odyssey complex will be renamed The O2 Belfast
New 10-year naming rights deal announced on 14 April 2026
Rebrand takes effect from 1 July 2026
Includes the 11,200-capacity arena, W5, W5 LIFE and Odyssey Place
O2 customers to receive 48-hour Priority ticket pre-sales
More than 1.7 million Priority tickets sold across the UK in 2025
O2 becomes title sponsor of the Belfast Giants
First major Northern Ireland sports sponsorship for O2
Venue to receive new fibre network, WiFi and 5G upgrades
SSE Airtricity remains official energy partner
