This article was republished with permission from the United States Polo Association website.
For the first time in its history, the Federation of International Polo (FIP) Arena World Polo Championship will take place in the United States. Scheduled for October 5-12, 2025, the United States Polo Association is pleased to announce the tournament will be co-hosted by Roseland Polo Club in Crozet, Virginia, and Virginia Polo Inc., home of the University of Virginia polo club, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Modeled after the FIP World Polo Championship, the second edition of the prestigious event will showcase top-tier international arena polo as teams from around the globe battle for the title.
“Roseland Polo is thrilled and honored to be hosting,” said Roseland Polo Club Manager Ali King. “We are pleased to be sharing the honor with Virginia Polo and believe that between our two facilities we are able to show off the best Virginia polo has to offer!”
Roseland Polo Club has hosted numerous USPA national arena tournaments including the National Sherman Memorial. ©Oana Moore
The Federation of International Polo, founded by Marcos Uranga in 1982 to expand international polo and restore the sport’s Olympic status, is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. In 1987, Uranga and American polo player Glen Holden organized the inaugural FIP World Polo Championship in Argentina. After decades of success with the traditional format, FIP 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, showcasing teams at the 10- to 12-goal level.
Countries seeking to host must go through a formal bidding process to determine the best facilities for an international tournament of this scale. The United States has long been a powerhouse in arena polo, with a rich history and a deep-rooted passion for the sport. From its early adoption of the discipline to the growth of dynamic arena polo programs across the country, the U.S. has fostered a thriving community of arena players at all levels. This strong foundation is supported by a network of programs that encourage participation, skill development and competition. The combination of a robust arena polo culture and access to first-rate facilities will provide the opportunity to showcase the breadth of the American arena polo tradition to the international community.
“We are thrilled to have been selected as a host site for FIP,” said David Hamar, Chairman of the Board at Virginia Polo Inc. “We view this as a great opportunity for our students to witness world-class polo up close. We are proud to play a role in the overall advancement of polo and plan to have our facility in top-notch shape for the tournament.”
Equipped to support play year-round, Virginia Polo's top-notch facilities boast both an indoor arena building and outdoor arena. ©Oana Moore
To qualify to be one of the six teams selected to advance to the FIP Arena World Polo Championship, the road begins with five zone playoffs. The host country (United States) automatically qualifies with the remaining five teams (Zones A, B, C, D and E) competing during the summer and qualifying by the end of July 2025.
THE FIVE ZONES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
• Zone A - North and Central America
• Zone B – South America
• Zone C – Europe
• Zone D – Asia and Oceania
• Zone E – Pakistan, India and Iran
ZONE PLAYOFFS:
• Zone A – San Pancho, Mexico (April 21-27, 2025)
• Zone B – Chile (April 2025)
• Zone C – Chantilly, France (early July 2025)
• Zone D – No playoff
• Zone E – Host Saudi Arabia (non-participant) (April 2025)
USA placed second in the inaugural FIP Arena World Polo Championship which was held at La Carona Polo Club in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2023. ©Sergio Llamera
The United States has a proud legacy in international polo. After placing second in the inaugural FIP Arena Polo World Championship, the American team is poised for redemption and determined to claim the title. Competing on home soil in 2025 provides a significant advantage and the opportunity to field a strong team to represent the country.
Outfitting the teams with official performance jerseys as the Official Apparel Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn. is proud to once again partner with the FIP Arena World Polo Championship to promote the brand during the pinnacle of international polo competition. The II FIP Arena World Polo Championship promises to be an unforgettable global event.
Virginia Polo's world-class facilities have been the stage for multiple National Intercollegiate Championships. ©Oana Moore
The II FIP Arena World Polo Championship is seeking qualified horse providers for the tournament, and interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications through the Horse Provider Request for Proposal form. Horses must arrive on site by Monday, September 29, and remain for the duration of the event. All horses must be fit for 12-goal level arena polo and accompanied by grooms and necessary tack and equipment. Prior to the tournament, all horses will undergo a pre-tournament veterinary inspection to ensure their health, soundness and condition. Stabling and turnout will be provided and only horses that pass the vet inspection and are approved by the FIP Official Horse Master will be eligible for play in the tournament. The Horse Master will assess and rank the horses as A, B or C based on abilities. Once graded, the horses will be placed into strings, ensuring teams are evenly matched. Teams will draw to select their polo ponies from these pooled groups.
Seeking to elevate the II FIP Arena World Polo Championship for players, sponsors and spectators, the United States Polo Association is proud to accept the challenge and is prepared to deliver an unrivaled experience in 2025.