Those staying in Dublin hotels may think they know all about sporting excitement, with Gaelic football a massive tourist attraction, but Belfast is actually fast becoming one of the major sporting cities in the UK, with a wide choice for discerning sports fans. Such pursuits form an integral part of life in this city and sporting venues are also excellent places to meet the locals and find out more about life in this dynamic metropolis.
Drumbo Park Stadium is the home of greyhound racing, with three meets taking place every week. Watching ‘The Dogs’ is a uniquely exciting experience for those staying in Belfast hotels, but there is more to an evening here than just watching the animals. Drumbo Park is also an excellent place to dine and drink with friends whilst taking in the heady and electric atmosphere of the stadium on race night. The popular Stonebridge Restaurant is one of the most highly regarded eateries in the city, with spectacular views of the track from its vantage point. Meanwhile, don’t fear if you think you spot a winner as bets can be taken at your table, wherever you choose to drink or dine.
The ‘Sport of Kings’ is also represented in Belfast, at Down Royal Racecourse. Horse racing has been an institution in Northern Ireland since the 17th century and the facilities here are amongst the most advanced in the whole of the UK. New amenities have been constructed in the last twenty years, including a new Grandstand, and many other surrounding amenities making a day at the races at Down Royal fit for a king.
Ice hockey is another popular pastime in the city, with the Belfast Giants proving to be particularly popular. They play all their home games in the Elite Ice Hockey League at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast's Titanic Quarter. The pulsating excitement and sheer brutality of an ice hockey match is guaranteed to get your heart racing, whilst you can also marvel at the technical finesse and fitness of the players. This is an opportunity not to be missed!
There are many other sporting occasions in Belfast, so check local websites before you go. A quick search on any of the major search engines will retrieve some of the best websites for this city and for sporting activities in general. After all, if you don’t, you could miss out on the highlight of your trip.
Sergio Santos - null
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