From October 5 to 12, 2025, international polo will mark a historic milestone: for the first time, the FIP Arena Polo World Championship will be held in the United States, co-hosted by Roseland Polo Club in Crozet, Virginia, and Virginia Polo Inc. in Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia’s polo team.
Organized by the Federation of International Polo (FIP) and modeled after its traditional outdoor World Championship, this second edition will bring together elite national teams in a fast-paced, high-level arena format, featuring players with 10 to 12 goals of handicap.
🏆 A Competitive Evolution
Founded in 1982 by Marcos Uranga, the FIP has played a key role in expanding the sport globally. In 1987, Uranga and American player Glen Holden launched the first FIP World Polo Championship in Argentina.
After decades of success on grass, the federation embraced the evolution of arena polo: in 2023, the inaugural FIP Arena Polo World Championship was held at La Carona Polo Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina, setting the stage for a new era of international competition.
🐎 Horses, Fair Play, and Excellence
Before the tournament begins, all horses will undergo a veterinary inspection to ensure their health and condition. The Horse Master will rank each horse as A, B, or C based on ability. Horses will then be grouped into balanced strings, and teams will draw from these pools to select their mounts—ensuring fairness and competitive integrity.
🌐 Teams and Zones
The official draw has divided the six national teams into two zones:
Zone A
- 🇫🇷 France
- 🇦🇷 Argentina
- 🇵🇰 Pakistan
Zone B
- 🇺🇸 United States
- 🇬🇹 Guatemala
- 🇮🇹 Italy
Each team will field three players, competing in four chukkers of six minutes per match. Goals scored from outside the 25-yard line will count double, and every match must produce a winner—no ties allowed.
🇺🇸 The U.S. Arena Polo Legacy
The United States has long been a global leader in arena polo, with a rich tradition and a thriving community. From early adoption of the discipline to the development of competitive programs nationwide, American arena polo has grown through strong infrastructure, grassroots participation, and elite-level training.
This championship offers a unique opportunity to showcase the depth of the U.S. polo culture and its commitment to innovation, excellence, and international collaboration.
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