Thrilling 2027 Polo Season In Store At NPC In Wellington
By Fiona Slusarev
Powerful ponies take to the field and mallets clash as the mightiest polo players flock to the National Polo Center-Wellington (NPC) for the 2027 winter competition season. Teams from across the nation and around the globe will come together to vie for recognition at the top levels of the sport.
This season, the United States Polo Association (USPA) will host 18 weeks of elite polo competition, beginning Dec. 27 and concluding May 2. Competitors and spectators alike can look forward to competitions across multiple levels of the sport, as well as highlights like the prestigious Gauntlet of Polo, the Heritage Cup Final, the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, the NPC 16-Goal Championship, the National President’s Cup and the annual international event.
NPC has been owned and managed by the USPA since 2022, but the facility has a far longer history as a premier polo location dating back to 2003. The center has become a prime destination for low-, medium- and high-goal competition, showcasing the best of polo. Each year, competitors and spectators turn out for the exceptional experience on the field and on the sidelines.
Whether you’re a seasoned polo enthusiast or newcomer to the sport, the 2027 season at NPC offers many ways to experience the grandeur of polo. Spend the day witnessing the skill and thrill of horses and riders working as a team. Don’t forget to take part in the traditional half-time divot stomp when spectators take to the field to replace torn patches of turf the horses kick up during play. Perhaps enjoy the day along with a fun tailgate or a luxurious brunch experience.
NPC officially welcomes players and fans back on Sunday, Dec. 27 for the season opener, just days before everyone rings in the new year. The Heritage Cup arrives at NPC for its final on Sunday, Jan. 3, welcoming the new year in style and setting the tone for a thrilling season to come.
The Women of Wellington (WOW) Polo Series returns to NPC with the USPA WOW Women’s Challenge on Jan. 15, furthering its mission to support and advance women in polo with medium-goal events. The first qualifier of the season for the NPC 16-Goal Championship, the Joe Barry Memorial, will have featured matches on Sundays, Jan. 10 and Jan. 17 at U.S. Polo Assn. Field One, with the final scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 24.
The season only grows in momentum in February. The Ylvisaker Cup, another NPC 16-Goal qualifier, will hold two featured matches on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One, set for Sundays, Jan. 31 and Feb. 7, with the final match scheduled for Friday, Feb. 19 on Armstrong Field. The U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship semifinals and final will conclude on the NPC grounds, with polo’s top women riders vying for the win on Sunday, Feb. 14.
The first leg of the Gauntlet of Polo, the multi-tournament high-goal series hosted by NPC, kicks off with the C.V. Whitney Cup beginning Jan. 27 with the semifinals following on Feb. 17 and the final on Sunday, Feb. 21. Continuing the gauntlet, the USPA Gold Cup closes out the month of February with the tournament opening on Feb. 24, moving into March with the semifinal on Wednesday, March 17 and the final on Sunday, March 21 on the U.S. Polo Assn. Field One.
The Iglehart Cup, the third NPC 16-Goal qualifier, is next with the final on Armstrong Field on Friday, March 12. The U.S. Open Polo Championship is the final gauntlet event. It starts on March 24 and continues into April with the semifinal on the Wednesday, April 14 and the final on the Sunday, April 18 at U.S. Polo Assn. Field One.
The Outback Cup closes out the NPC 16-Goal qualifiers on Armstrong Field on Friday, April 2. The four NPC 16-Goal qualifiers come together to put horses and riders to the test in preparation for the NPC 16-Goal Championship semifinals on April 6 and the final on April 9.
It’s time for 8-goal polo to shine on April 12 with the National President’s Cup, with the final set for April 18 on Armstrong Field. The season comes to an exhilarating close with the annual international event on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One.
This year’s event will be the II Federation of International Polo (FIP) Women’s World Polo Championship, making its U.S. debut on April 24, with a featured match on Sunday, April 25 and the final on Sunday, May 2.
Spectators are invited to experience the world of polo every Sunday from Dec. 27 through May 2 with afternoon matches on U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. Tickets are available for purchase online, while spectating from the stadium, field tailgate, private box seats, hospitality tents or brunch is available upon inquiry through the box office. Polo fans can also watch matches for free on days other than Sunday.
The National Polo Center-Wellington is located at 3667 120th Avenue South. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.nationalpolocenter.com. To contact the box office, e-mail boxoffice@nationalpolocenter.com or call (561) 895-5052.
