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Odyssey (Belfast)

Odyssey
SSE Arena Belfast
Odyssey Arena, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 860741 (cropped).jpg
The SSE Arena and Odyssey Pavilion seen from the M2/M3 in June 2008
Former names Odyssey Arena
Location Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Owner Odyssey Trust
Operator Odyssey Millennium Ltd (Arena)
KPMG (Pavilion)
Capacity 11,000
Construction
Broke ground 1998/1999
Opened 2000 (Arena)
2001 (Pavilion)
Tenants
Belfast Giants (EIHL) (2000–present)
Website
ssearenabelfast.com (SSE Arena, Belfast)
odysseypavilion.co.uk (Odyssey Pavilion)
theodyssey.co.uk (Odyssey Trust)
odysseybowl.co.uk (Odyssey Bowl)
odysseycinemas.co.uk (Odyssey Cinemas)
w5online.co.uk (W5)

The Odyssey Complex, which consists of the Odyssey Pavilion, SSE Arena Belfast and W5 is a large sports and entertainment centre situated in Titanic Quarter, Belfast, Northern Ireland, a part of the Belfast Harbour Estate.

It was 50% funded by a £45m grant from the Millennium Commission as the Landmark Project for Northern Ireland with matched funding from the Department of Education Northern Ireland, the Sheridan Group and the Sports Council for Northern Ireland. The application to the Millennium Commission was led by the Ulster Museum, who wished to develop a Science Centre and teamed up with Peter Curistan who wished to develop an Imax, and then led the development of the Arena with L&R lesiure who were the consultants. The name Odyssey, was to symbolise the 'journey of discovery' that would be the science centre and Michael Montgomery, a young 14 year old at the time came up with the name. The complex adopted the name, and the Science Centre became W5.

The Arena opened in 2000, W5 on 31 March 2001 with the Pavilion opening a few months later. The Odyssey is quoted to have cost £120 million on completion. Odyssey was held in Trust by the Odyssey Trust Company with leases to SMG/Sheridan for the Arena, Sheridan for the Pavilion and the National Museums NI for W5. In 2011 Odyssey Trust took over the Arena. In 2011 The Odyssey Pavilion which was owned by The Sheridan Group went into administration, the building is now under control of KPMG until a new owner is found. It is managed by The Odyssey Trust.

World champion boxer Carl Frampton has fought at the Odyssey 5 times. The venue has also hosted a number of World Wrestling Entertainment live events including RAW and SmackDown!. WWE visits the Odyssey at least once a year. It hosted UFC 72: Victory on 16 June 2007.

Since 2008, it has played host to the Premier League Darts.

On 2 October 2010, the Boston Bruins faced the Belfast Giants Selects in an NHL Challenge match.


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