(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
USPA & NPC Announce Exciting 2026 Winter Polo Season Schedule
The United States Polo Association (USPA) and the National Polo Center – Wellington (NPC) have unveiled the 2026 winter season calendar, headlined by the world-class Gauntlet of Polo. The action begins in late December 2025 and runs through early May 2026, offering an extended season packed with top-tier tournaments.
Fans can look forward to prestigious competitions such as the NPC 16-Goal Championship, U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship, National President’s Cup, and the annual international match. Public admission and Sunday Brunch tickets will be available later this year via nationalpolocenter.com, with select events streamed live on the USPA Polo Network.
The season kicks off on Sunday, December 28, 2025, with the George Miller Memorial. The excitement continues into the New Year with the Heritage Cup Final on January 4, 2026.
Women’s polo will take center stage once again, with the U.S. Open Women’s Polo Championship featuring the sport’s top female players. Preliminary matches will be hosted at Port Mayaca Polo Club in Okeechobee, with semifinals and the final taking place at NPC. The championship final is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026, at U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. The Women of Wellington (WOW) Polo Series will also return, featuring two Florida Circuit Women’s Challenge finals.
The Gauntlet of Polo will be the highlight of the season, starting with the C.V. Whitney Cup (Feb 11 – Mar 1), followed by the USPA Gold Cup (Mar 4 – 29), and concluding with the iconic U.S. Open Polo Championship (Apr 1 – 26). Prize money remains substantial, with $25,000 for the C.V. Whitney Cup winners, $75,000 for USPA Gold Cup champions, and $100,000 for the U.S. Open victors.
The NPC 16-Goal Championship will once again be a key fixture, with qualifying tournaments across South Florida, including the Joe Barry Memorial, Ylvisaker Cup, Iglehart Cup, and Outback Cup. The top point-earning teams will advance to the championship event at NPC.
Meanwhile, the National President’s Cup will feature up to 14 qualifying tournaments from June 2025 to April 2026, with winners from outside Florida receiving a $10,000 travel stipend.
Spectators are invited to enjoy world-class polo every Sunday from December 28, 2025, to May 3, 2026, at U.S. Polo Assn. Field One. Get ready for an unforgettable season at America’s premier polo destination.
