Urban polo - and the Polo in the City concept - was first played in 2005 and sees the traditional rules of polo modified to create a more thrilling version of the sport. A tighter field and lighter ball allow for safer but more exhilarating play making the event even more spectator-friendly. What better way to spend a day than appreciating some luxurious hospitality while enjoying polo with your friends or family?!
Polo in the City also has a sister series: Polo by the Sea. There is a Gold Coast event and a Sunshine Coast event that take place earlier in the year, however, due to poor weather conditions, the latter has been postponed to this weekend, Saturday 24 September.
In 2022, Polo in the City heads to 5 different cities across Australia:
- Sydney (Centennial Park): Saturday 12 November
- Brisbane (Dorrington Park): Saturday 19 November
- Melbourne (Albert Park): Saturday 26 November
- Perth (Langley Park): Saturday 3 December
- Adelaide (Victoria Park): Friday 9 December
A day out at the polo is not just about the sport, as the rather special hospitality always plays a part. For Polo in the City, you can mingle in the Polo Lounge with its relaxed "beer garden" style vibe and with great food and refreshing drinks. Or perhaps it’s the Polo Club that will take your fancy as it’s the perfect mid-point between the VIP Marquee (which is invite-only) and the Polo Lounge, offering a more luxurious experience where you can meet and greet while delighting in some delicious food, or – as the Aussies call it – some great “tucker”! Prices vary by event but the most affordable tickets are for Adelaide where the Polo Lounge is AUD $83 entry and the Polo Club is $246.
For those of you who may be new to polo, don’t fret, the rules are easy to follow! A match sees 2 opposing teams - each of 4 players on horseback - aim to hit a small ball into the goal of the other team using long-handled mallets. The game usually lasts 1-2 hours and is divided into periods called “chukkas”.
Urban polo is a variation of the sport first developed in Australia. A half-sized field (approximately 140 m long instead of 300 m) and a less heavy ball mean the players must be quick and agile making the format even more interesting to watch. Organisers often refer to this evolution of the rules of polo as like that of cricket's Twenty20.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your tickets and applaud the players and ponies!