Polo in the USA: Florida, California and the American Season

American polo is the world's third-largest polo nation by both player numbers and tournament activity. The **United States Polo Association (USPA)**, founded in 1890, governs over 200 registered clubs and thousands of registered players from Alaska to Florida. The American season is almost year-round when you factor in both the winter and summer circuits.

The USPA — America's Governing Body

The USPA organises American polo around a network of circuits and a hierarchy of national championships. Players are handicapped from -2 to 10 goals, with the vast majority playing at low and medium [goal](/glossary/goal). The USPA sanctions both outdoor (grass) polo and arena (indoor) polo — a uniquely American format played on a smaller enclosed surface with three players per side.

Wellington, Florida — America's Polo Capital

From **January through April**, the polo world descends on Wellington in Palm Beach County, Florida. The **International Polo Club Palm Beach (IPC)** is the epicentre — a 200-acre facility with 10 manicured fields, world-class stabling for 2,000+ horses, and a Sunday brunch polo tradition that has become one of Florida's great social events.

**The US Open Polo Championship** (April, 26-goal) is the pinnacle of American polo — the equivalent of Cowdray's Gold Cup but with Floridian sunshine. Teams of Argentine, British, and American professionals compete at the highest level of the sport.

Attending Wellington polo:

**Hotels**: Wellington has limited hotel stock during polo season — book 3–4 months in advance. Palm Beach and Boca Raton are the preferred bases for visitors.

Santa Barbara and California Polo

California's polo scene is centred on **Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club** — one of America's most beautiful polo venues, set against the Santa Ynez Mountains with Pacific views. The season runs **April through October**.

The **Pacific Coast Open** at Santa Barbara is the major West Coast championship event. The California circuit has a more relaxed, beach-town atmosphere compared to Wellington's more competitive environment, making it highly accessible to newcomers.

Other California clubs worth knowing: **San Diego Polo Club**, **Will Rogers Polo Club** (West Hollywood — city polo in Los Angeles), and **Empire Polo Club** (Indio — also hosts Coachella Festival).

Other Key American Polo Regions

**Aiken, South Carolina** — One of America's great horse towns, with a strong polo scene and a charming small-city atmosphere. The Aiken Polo Club hosts regular matches through spring and autumn.

**Saratoga Springs, New York** — Polo's historic summer home in the Northeast. Saratoga Polo has been operating continuously since 1898.

**Eldorado Polo Club, Palm Desert** — The other major California winter venue, with a strong local membership base.

Playing Polo in America

The USPA operates a **New Player Programme** making it straightforward to start polo at registered clubs. Cost guide (2026):

**Arena polo** — played indoors or in enclosed outdoor arenas with boards, three players per side, and a different ball — is an excellent entry point into American polo. Many clubs offer arena polo through winter months, making the sport genuinely year-round.

The US Polo Open — The American Grand Prix

The **US Open Polo Championship** (26-goal) at Wellington in April is the crown jewel. Teams competing typically include multiple 10-goal Argentine players alongside one or two American players funded by a patron.

**Getting tickets**: The IPC website sells Sunday brunch packages and standing tickets. The final draws large crowds and a festive atmosphere — afternoon matches followed by tailgating and parties.

American polo's combination of accessibility (beginner programmes at 200+ clubs), social culture (the Wellington Sunday brunch experience), and top-level competition (US Open, USPA Gold Cup) makes it one of the most complete polo environments in the world for anyone from novice to professional.