Arena polo

Arena polo is a fast-paced version of polo played outdoors on an enclosed all-weather surface, or in an indoor arena. Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA, Great Britain) and US Polo Association (USPA, USA ) have established their own rules for arena polo, and these rules are often used in other countries as well.

Unlike outdoor polo, which is played on a 10-acre field, arena polo is played on 300 feet by 150 feet field, enclosed by walls of four or more feet in height. The normal game consists of four chukkas, or periods, of seven and one-half minutes each. A polo ball is similar to a mini soccer ball, larger than the hard plastic ball used outdoors. The arena game is played on a dirt surface with the ball bouncing on the uneven surface and off the arena wall.

Arena polo is typically far more financially accessible than outdoor polo. Club membership fees are usually lesser in comparison, in large part because an arena does not have the high annual maintenance cost of a grass field. Player investment is often smaller because, at a minimum, only two horses are needed to play a regulation arena polo match. Rather than a dedicated truck and large trailer, a bumper-pull trailer and a SUV is usually sufficient for transporting the horses of the arena polo player.

Arena polo can be played year-round, which is attractive to many players because it makes progress in the sport easier and quicker. The most popular season for arena polo is winter.

The First Arena Polo World Cup

From May 1 to 6, 2023, the First Arena Polo World Cup was held at La Carona Polo Club by Argentina Polo Day, in Capilla del Señor. Organized by Argentina Polo Day together with the International Polo Federation and the Argentine Polo Association, the teams from Argentina, Austria, the United States, France, Morocco and Uruguay participated.

After 5 days of pure polo, a lot of action, and a great turnout, on Saturday, May 6, the day of the final, the teams from the United States and France faced each other. With a difference of 9 to 8 points, France was crowned champion of the Arena Polo World Cup, leaving the United States in second place.

In turn, Austria reached third place by defeating Uruguay by 7 to 6 points, leaving the latter in fourth place. Finally, the Argentine National Team won fifth place against Morocco by 10 to 2 points, leaving Morocco in sixth place.

Thanks to the coverage and broadcast of ESPN Polo, fans of this exciting sport around the world were able to enjoy every moment.

“We strongly highlight the work of Celia and Rubén, who allow us to bring an event of global importance to La Carona Polo Club by Argentina Polo Day. They are representation of the province at a national and international level and also aim to democratize polo, which is very interesting to be able to open this characteristic and beautiful sport to many more people" – expressed Thomas Hualde, from the Secretary of Tourism of the Province of Buenos Aires.

The awards ceremony was a perfect moment to express gratitude to the sponsors: Imperial, Omint, Casablanca, RUS, Zapatería Guido, L’Abratto, Pampa Gourmet, Moño Azul, Tromen and US Polo ASSN.

Additionally, the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Argentina Country Brand, Tourism Province of Buenos Aires, Visit Buenos Aires and the Municipality of Exaltación de la Cruz.

“We are the public-private consortium that works for the benefit and development of the polo industry” – mentioned Yanina Martínez, head of the Tourism Promotion Secretariat of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Nation.

The event was declared of National Tourist Interest.

This First Arena Polo World Cup is a historic milestone in polo. Leave a mark to continue on the path of professionalizing this discipline in Argentina and in the world, with the potential for Polo to become Olympic again.

See also

• U.S. intercollegiate arena polo champions
• Beach polo, a variant of arena polo played on sand