NEWS

In their annual general assembly, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) selected the United States to host the next World Polo Championship. The tournament will take place October 22-31, 2021, at the Empire Polo Club in Palm Springs, California. In addition to polo, the club has also hosted the Coachella Valley and Arts Festival for the past 20 years, which is one of the most important musical events in the world.

Eight teams will take part in the World Championship in October 2021. Argentina, the current world champion, and the United States have already qualified. Other countries will compete between now and the summer of 2021 to qualify for the remaining spots.

The Empire Polo has 10 meticulously maintained polo fields, which includes three tournament fields and seven practice fields. It also has exclusive multi-purpose areas and amenities that include restaurants and bars, golf facilities, hiking and shopping.

The USPA will have the full support of the J5 Equestrian Center, owned by Bob and Louisa Jornayvaz and is home to the Valiente polo team, which will provide more than 200 horses for the event. In addition, horses will be provided with tack, food, shavings, shoeing and farrier, while a management team will be onsite at all times, including veterinarians, a riding team and barn managers. “When it comes to horses, it is the top organization in America and one of the most important in the world,” said Bob Puetz, the United States Polo Association's (USPA) Chief Executive Officer. “They have committed to provide 200 horses. So, we are really ecstatic that they are supportive. We know the quality of the horses. It is going to be above and beyond. I believe that a lot of the young players that will come to compete are going to play on horses that have a skill level and talent that they haven't had the pleasure of playing before. It is going to be a super competitive tournament.”

“We are very pleased that we have received an abundant amount of support from all the different countries,” Puetz continued. “The Empire Polo Club is one of the most beautiful clubs, certainly in the country and maybe in the world.”

The U.S. has been preparing with the help of USPA Global Licensing Inc., who will be supporting the USPA’s efforts by promoting the tournament on television. In regards to livestreaming, Bob shared exciting information, “we have a new OTT platform that we are launching in 2020. All the games that we were livestreaming will now be televised. In addition, we are going to televise the finals of the World Polo Championship on national and international television.” As countries come together in support of the sport they love, polo fans everywhere will be able to take part in this historical Olympic-level tournament.