Odyssey to stage Challenge Cup Final

The Giants are attracting sell-out crowds at the Odyssey

By BBC Sport Online's Stuart Hughes

The new Odyssey Arena in Belfast has won the right to host its first major sporting event.

The £91 million stadium has been chosen as the venue for the final of ice hockey's Challenge Cup on 10 March.

Superleague expansion side the Belfast Giants have regularly played in front of sell-out crowds of almost 7,000 since they moved into the Odyssey in December.

The decision to hold the Challenge Cup final in Northern Ireland will be seen as a vote of confidence in the fledgling Belfast organisation.

Giants coach Dave Whistle said he was not surprised that Belfast had been chosen.

They know that even if we don't get to the final it will still be a sell-out

  Dave Whistle

"It has to be the best arena in the Superleague," he said.

"When you take into consideration the impact the team and the fans have made not only in the Superleague but also on the sporting scene in Northern Ireland, it's probably easier to see why."

"The Superleague know the kind of support we've been getting.

"They know that even if we don't get to the final it will still be a sell-out, such is the passion in Northern Ireland for Superleague ice hockey now," Whistle added.

Three other sides have reached the semi-final stage of the competition along with the Giants - the Ayr Scottish Eagles, the London Knights and the Sheffield Steelers.