Argentine Open Polo
The Campeonato Argentino Abierto — played at the Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo, Buenos Aires — is widely regarded as the most prestigious polo tournament in the world.
Tournament at a Glance
Venue
Campo Argentino de Polo, Palermo, Buenos Aires
Season
Typically November – December
Handicap
40-goal (the highest in the sport)
Governing Body
Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP)
Status
Widely regarded as the most prestigious polo tournament in the world
Setting
Open-air grass field at Palermo, Buenos Aires
Last updated: May 2026
History of the Argentine Open
The Argentine Open has been contested at Palermo since 1893, giving it a history that spans more than a century of elite polo competition.
Origins (1893 onward)
The Argentine Open has been contested at Palermo since 1893, making it one of the longest-running major polo tournaments in the world.
Early Growth
As Argentine polo developed a global reputation for producing the world's finest players and ponies, the tournament grew in prestige and competitive depth.
Modern Era
Today the Argentine Open is contested at the 40-goal handicap level — the highest in polo — drawing the sport's elite teams and players from across South America, Europe, and beyond.
Global Significance
Winning the Argentine Open is widely regarded as the pinnacle of a polo player's career. The tournament sets the standard by which all other high-goal competitions are measured.
Tournament Format
40-Goal Handicap
The Argentine Open is contested at the 40-goal handicap level — the highest in polo. A team enters with a combined player handicap of up to 40 goals across its four players.
Reaching this level requires each player to be among the sport's elite. The 40-goal standard means the Argentine Open consistently features the world's best players and the most competitive polo played anywhere.
Competition Structure
The tournament follows a knock-out or round-robin structure determined by the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) each season. Teams compete across multiple chukkas (periods) per match, typically six chukkas of seven minutes each.
The competition builds toward a final contested at Palermo before a large crowd, culminating the Argentine polo high season.
The Palermo Venue
The Campo Argentino de Polo in Buenos Aires's Palermo district is one of polo's most celebrated venues — a ground with more than a century of history.
Campo Argentino de Polo
The historic polo ground in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires is the spiritual home of Argentine polo. Known simply as "Palermo," it has hosted the Open for well over a century.
Palermo District
Palermo is a vibrant neighbourhood of Buenos Aires easily accessible by public transport, taxi, or ride-share. The polo ground sits alongside parkland and is a landmark of Argentine sporting culture.
Atmosphere
Match days at the Argentine Open are celebrated events drawing large crowds of Argentine polo fans alongside international visitors. The atmosphere is festive, passionate, and deeply rooted in Argentine sporting tradition.
Facilities
The Palermo ground features multiple polo fields, grandstand seating, hospitality areas, and the infrastructure expected of a world-class sporting venue. Tickets for key matches are in high demand.
Notable Players
The Argentine Open has been the stage for the world's greatest polo players. These are among the most widely recognised names associated with the tournament.
Adolfo Cambiaso
Widely regarded as one of the greatest polo players in history, Cambiaso is a dominant presence at the Argentine Open and has been a defining figure of the modern era.
The Heguy Family
The Heguy dynasty — including Alberto, Horacio, Eduardo, and Gonzalo — has produced multiple generations of top-level Argentine Open competitors and is synonymous with Buenos Aires polo.
Pablo Mac Donough
A long-standing 10-goal player, Mac Donough has been a formidable competitor at the Argentine Open across multiple championship campaigns.
Facundo Pieres & Tomas Pieres
Both brothers are established high-goal players who have competed at the highest level of the Argentine Open, continuing Argentina's tradition of world-class polo talent.
How to Watch & Attend
Attending in Person
Tickets to the Argentine Open are available through the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP). Demand for key matches and finals is high — booking well in advance is recommended. General admission and premium hospitality options are typically offered.
Getting to Palermo
The Campo Argentino de Polo is located in the Palermo neighbourhood of Buenos Aires and is accessible via taxi, Uber, and public transport. It is within striking distance of the city's main hotel districts.
Watching Online
The AAP and various polo media outlets have increasingly made Argentine Open coverage available via livestream. Check the official AAP website and dedicated polo channels for the most current broadcast arrangements each season.
Polo Tourism
Buenos Aires is a major international travel hub with excellent air connections worldwide. Many polo enthusiasts combine attending the Argentine Open with broader Argentine travel, including estancia stays and polo experiences in the pampas.
When Is the Argentine Open?
The Argentine Open is typically played during November and December, forming the centrepiece of the Argentine polo high season. Buenos Aires in late spring offers excellent conditions for outdoor polo.
The exact dates and schedule for each season are announced by the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP). Checking the official AAP website and dedicated polo media outlets is the most reliable way to confirm current-season dates and fixtures.
Official Source: For the most up-to-date schedule, results, and ticket information, consult the Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) at aapolo.com.
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Argentine Open FAQs
Common questions about the Argentine Open Polo Championship
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