PT's guide to global highlights and where to watch in the world
Polo is played all over the planet and over 50 countries worldwide are involved in the game. The dominant nations are Argentina, the USA and Britain, each of which has a thriving polo scene and industry. Other polo hotspots include New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Dubai, China, Chile and Spain.

 Above: The Argentine Open held in Palermo, Argentina

 
Contrary to popular belief, most polo games are cheap to watch. Entry to Cowdray Park for its biggest day, the Gold Cup final, costs under £20 per person in advance. Many smaller clubs around the world don't charge entry at all.

The European season runs from late April to late September. In the southern hemisphere it is from October to mid-March. In some countries, such as the USA, Australia and South Africa, it is possible to play or watch all year round.

In most countries, players fall into these categories:

• grassroots beginners and amateurs - playing largely all-amateur polo on a relatively small budget
• patrons - amateurs who engage one or more professionals to play alongside them on a team
• semi-professionals - not full time in polo, but might have expenses paid or horses provided by a patron
• professionals - full time in polo and paid to play; may also breed/train/sell horses, teach/coach, run a yard etc

Above: The St Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow, Switzerland

International and high-goal polo

• Jockey Club Open, Buenos Aires - September
• Tortugas Open, Tortugas Country Club, Buenos Aires - September/October
• Hurlingham Open, Hurlingham Club, Buenos Aires - October
• Argentine Open, Palermo, Buenos Aires - November/December
• Camara de Diputados - November

• Super Nations Cup, Goldin Metropolitan, Tianjin - October
• China International Polo Challenge, Tang, Beijing - October
• FIP Snow Polo World Cup, Tianjin - February

• SA Open, Plettenberg Bay - March/April

• Kurri Burri High-Goal, Kurri Burri, NSW - October
• Ellerston Spring Trophy, Ellerston, NSW - October
• Melbourne Cup, Melbourne, VIC - November

• New Zealand Open, Auckland - February

• Ylvisaker Cup, Palm Beach, Florida - January
• CV Whitney Cup, Palm Beach, Florida - February/March
• Inglehart Cup, Palm Beach, Florida - February/March
• Piaget USPA Gold Cup, Palm Beach, Florida - March
• US Open, Palm Beach, Florida - March/April
• Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Miami - April
• USPA Pacific Coast, Santa Barbara - September

• HPA Club Championships, RCBPC - December, January
• Arena Gold Cup, RCBPC - February
• Bryan Morrison Trophy Test Match, Hickstead - March
• Gaucho International, O2 Arena - May

UK - Outdoor

• St Regis International Test Match, Cowdray Park - May
• Cartier Queen's Cup, Guards - June
• Prince of Wales Trophy, RCBPC - June
• Polo in the Park, Hurlingham - June
• Audi International Test Match, Beaufort - June
• Veuve Clicquot Gold Cup, Cowdray Park - June/July
• Audi International Test Match, Guards - July
• Audi International Test Match, Chester - September

Singapore

• Singapore Open - September

Caribbean

• Barbados Open, Lion Castle - March
• Jamaica Open, Kingston - April

• St Moritz Polo World Cup Snow, Switzerland - January/February
• German Polo Masters, Sylt - July
• Land Rover International Tournament (Bronze, Silver, Gold Cups), Sotogrande, Spain - August
• Hublot Gold Cup, Gstaad, Switzerland - August
• French Open, Chantilly - August/September

There are numerous low and medium-goal tournaments played worldwide throughout the year. To see schedules and team lists for more polo fixtures, visit our tournaments section.