Luxury hospitality, high-end travel and equestrian sports go hand-in-hand to make for a true VIP experience.
Polo is one of the world’s best luxury sports. In contrast to other competitive endeavors, the world of polo is one of high-class luxury, indulgent hospitality, international travel and VIP experiences. Living the high life is expected of polo spectators, and the lifestyle trends that accompany this sport are legendary. From polo fashion to private aviation, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the sport of kings.
Whether you’re thinking of getting into the world of polo or are a seasoned veteran of equestrian sports, this guide will break down some of the world’s biggest polo events to provide ideas on where to jump in. Once you’ve settled on where you’ll make your international polo debut, contact Skyllence and arrange luxury travel to ensure that your journey is as breath-taking and memorable as the event you arrive at.
Argentine Open Polo Championship
The Campeonato Argentino Abierto de Polo, as it’s known in Spanish, is one of the world’s foremost equestrian sports events. First hosted 1893, polo fanatics from around the world have flocked to this most prestigious of tournaments ever since. Hosted in Buenos Aires at La Catedral – the name of which should give some sense of the gravitas of the competition – the Argentine Open took place in November in 2022.
With concrete dates yet to be confirmed for this year, there’s still plenty of time to contact Skyllence and organize the perfect VIP travel experience. When you’re looking for luxury experiences and spectator sports, it doesn’t get much higher-end than this, so contacting event planning specialists and enlisting private jet charter is a sure-fire way to guarantee that you don’t miss out
Beach Polo Cup
A slight change of pace, Miami beach hosts the annual Beach Polo Cup. As the name implies, in contrast to the grass surfaces on which polo is conventionally played, this tournament takes place on the crystalline sand of Florida’s favorite city. As with everything else in Miami, this one’s less about the sport and more about the glitz and glamour of one of the world’s best destinations.
This means that private jet flights into the Beach Polo Cup promise sporting drama and world-class VIP experiences in equal measure. If this combination appeals, contact private travel and leisure specialists like Skyllence to arrange a flight, with the next competition set to take place next April.
Aspen World Snow Polo Championships
To change direction entirely from the sun-kissed beaches of Miami, look towards the Aspen World Snow Polo Championship. As the name implies, this equestrian sporting extravaganza takes place among the snowy peaks of Colorado. As well as luxury hospitality and some of the world’s best polo players converging on the destination, this event also promises all of the charm of a winter getaway – perfect for those who prefer a colder climate.
Mid-December saw last year’s event take place, so it’s best to use that as a guideline for when the 2023 iteration will happen. With that in mind, luxury travel solutions heading into the picturesque mountains of the centennial state are the order of the day – and who better than Skyllence?
The US Open
The US Open is, quite simply, the most prestigious event in America when it comes to polo. If you’re a purist and your focus is fully on the polo matches themselves, then this competition promises to deliver. Held at the national polo center in Florida every April, the US Open brings together the best polo players from around the world, with cutting-edge polo equipment and strategies all in pursuit of the ultimate prize: the US Open trophy.
The British Open
Like its cousin across the pond, the British Open is a lavish, prestigious event attended by the who’s-who of the polo world. Held in Eastbourne, England, it should surprise no one that when the sport of kings is held in the home of royalty, there’s real pomp and circumstance on show.
Because of that, even spotting the best polo outfits can be a spectator sport in itself, and alongside the world-class equestrian sports on show, there’s an entire realm of luxury experiences to be a part of. The dates for this year are 21 June–17 July at Cowdray Park Polo Club, meaning that prospective attendees are advised to act fast and secure their VIP travel experience to this prestigious event.
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup
In contrast to the historic, aristocratic nature of English polo, in Dubai the sport is a relatively new phenomenon. Don’t be fooled into thinking that this means it’s any less of a luxury experience, though. In truth, whether making up for lost time or trying to establish itself as the new-kid-on-the-block, the Dubai polo scene has exploded in recent years, with a whole host of high-quality, ultra-luxury affairs that draw in spectators from around the world.
The lavish expense that characterizes most events in Dubai is dialed up a notch when it comes to a sport as high-class as polo, meaning that attending the Gold Cup is a sure-fire guarantee of unimaginable luxury. Matching the splendor of what’s on show with your mode of arrival is as easy as organizing VIP travel via luxury private jet charter, and don’t worry! – you have plenty of time to organize your trip before the next event, scheduled for early 2024.
Cartier Queen’s Cup
Not that any assurances were needed as to the level of luxury on offer at an even named after Queen Elizabeth II, but the fact that this competition is sponsored by Cartier should also give an indication as to what awaits. While the British Open is arguably more prestigious on a sporting basis, the Queen’s Cup is at the heart of the British polo scene for its links to aristocratic luxury.
The connection with royalty doesn’t end in the name of this event, as it’s also held in Windsor – the home of the British royal family – every year. This year’s event will take place on the 18 June, and if recent years are anything to go by then royal attendance is highly likely. Whether competing, outfit-judging, royal-spotting, or simply watching the high-quality matches, the Queen’s Cup is the perfect event for any polo superfan. It’s also the ideal destination to direct your private jet charter towards and enjoy a British summer – just don’t forget your umbrella!
The Pacific Coast Open
It’s difficult to host an event that complements the beauty of a Californian summer, somehow elevating it. Polo can do that, though – make the good great – and the Pacific Coast Open is the perfect example of this. Held in Santa Barbara on 15–29 August, this year’s competition promises to be fierce, with teams from around the globe all vying for possession of the contest’s 5-feet high trophy.
For spectators, this is a part of the world that needs no introduction and an event that offers luxury beyond compare – a perfect match. VIP travel and leisure solutions are rarely able to offer guarantees like those provided by attendance at the Pacific Coast Open, but here it’s certain: the weather, setting, and competition itself will all be among some of the finest that the world has to offer, making this the perfect luxury travel destination.
An Open Goal?
How will you decide which polo tournament to attend? Fancy some snow, prefer the beach, looking for royalty or just want to see high-quality matches? The choice is yours, but you’re sure to have an unforgettable hospitality experience whichever luxury equestrian sports event you select from this list.
If you want that to be mirrored in your method of travel, then unfortunately breadth of choice is no longer available. Instead, there’s only one option: luxury VIP travel with a world-renowned provider like Skyllence. Letting their travel and leisure specialists make hospitality arrangements for you is a sure-fire way to ensure the trip of a lifetime, guaranteeing comfort, flexibility and convenience in equal measure. All that’s left then is to decide on your polo outfit – you might meet royalty, after all!
Vilma Vaitiekunaite, CEO of Skyllence has been arranging luxury travel solutions for a wide range of clients for years. “It’s so rewarding being able to assist our clients in making it to stunning luxury events such as these. We take pride in being able to exceed their expectations and provide a truly VIP experience, hopefully matching that which they’ll receive on arrival. Working in tandem like this means that your trip doesn’t start when you arrive – you’re in the lap of luxury from the get-go, so sit back and enjoy!”
