Cowdray Gold Cup
The British Open Polo Championship — the UK's premier 22-goal tournament, held each July at the magnificent Cowdray Park Polo Club in West Sussex.
Tournament at a Glance
Official Title
British Open Polo Championship (Cowdray Gold Cup)
Venue
Cowdray Park Polo Club, West Sussex, England
Season
Typically July
Handicap
22-goal
Governing Body
Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA)
Status
The UK's premier 22-goal polo tournament and the English polo season's centrepiece
Last updated: May 2026
Background & History
The British Open
The Cowdray Gold Cup is the British Open Polo Championship — the highest-level polo competition in the United Kingdom. It is sanctioned by the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA), the governing body for polo in the UK and many other countries.
Cowdray Park Polo Club
Cowdray Park Polo Club, located on the Cowdray Estate in West Sussex, is one of England's most celebrated polo venues. The club is synonymous with the Gold Cup and has hosted the British Open for many decades.
The English High-Goal Season
The Cowdray Gold Cup forms the centrepiece of the English high-goal polo season. It follows the Queen's Cup at Guards Polo Club and draws teams and players who have competed across the English season.
International Participation
Like the other major UK tournaments, the Cowdray Gold Cup attracts top Argentine and international players competing alongside British players in internationally assembled teams.
Cowdray Park Polo Club
Cowdray Park Polo Club
The club is set within the historic Cowdray Estate in West Sussex, with multiple grass polo fields in a beautiful rural English setting. The estate's ruined castle provides a distinctive backdrop to match days.
West Sussex Location
Cowdray Park is located near Midhurst in West Sussex, approximately 55 miles south of London. The area is accessible by road and is within convenient reach of Gatwick Airport.
Match Day Atmosphere
Gold Cup match days at Cowdray are social occasions, combining world-class polo with a quintessential English country atmosphere. Picnics on the lawns, smart dress, and the traditional divot stomp are all part of the experience.
Facilities
The club offers spectator viewing areas, food and hospitality options, and a clubhouse. For finals and high-profile matches, the atmosphere is at its most vibrant with larger crowds and enhanced hospitality.
Notable Players
The Cowdray Gold Cup has featured some of the world's finest polo players. These are among the widely recognised names associated with the UK high-goal season and the British Open.
Adolfo Cambiaso
The world's most celebrated polo player has competed in the UK high-goal season including at Cowdray, representing some of England's most prominent polo teams.
The Pieres Brothers
Facundo and Tomas Pieres are among the Argentina-based elite players who regularly feature in the English high-goal season, bringing world-class polo to events including the Cowdray Gold Cup.
Luke Tomlinson
One of England's most prominent polo players, Tomlinson has been associated with the UK high-goal scene and the Cowdray Gold Cup across multiple seasons.
James Beim
Another leading British player, Beim has been a prominent figure in English high-goal polo including at Cowdray Park.
Dress Code
The Cowdray Gold Cup is a smart social occasion. Here is what to wear for different match days.
Smart summer attire is appropriate for most Gold Cup fixtures. Blazers, tailored trousers or smart chinos for men; summer dresses, smart separates, or smart trouser suits for women. Flat shoes recommended for the grass.
The Gold Cup Final attracts a larger, more formally dressed crowd. Men: blazer or suit. Women: elegant summer dress, smart outfit, hat or fascinator welcomed. Cowdray's final is one of the social highlights of the English summer season.
Given Cowdray's rural setting and grass grounds, flat shoes or low heels are strongly advised. Sun protection and a light layer for changeable English summer weather are sensible choices.
Attending the Cowdray Gold Cup
Tickets & Entry
The Cowdray Gold Cup is typically ticketed for key fixtures. Information on tickets and hospitality packages is available from Cowdray Park Polo Club. Entry to some practice and earlier rounds may be more open.
Getting There
Cowdray Park is located near Midhurst, West Sussex. By road it is approximately 55 miles from London via the A3/A272. The nearest railway stations are Haslemere and Petersfield with connecting taxi services. Gatwick Airport is the nearest international airport.
Hospitality Packages
Corporate and private hospitality packages are available for Gold Cup matches. These typically include prime viewing areas, catering, and the social experience of the event.
The Divot Stomp
The traditional halftime divot stomp — where spectators are invited onto the field to replace turf — is as much a tradition at Cowdray as at any other major polo event. Flat shoes are essential for this.
Official Source: For confirmed dates, tickets, and hospitality, consult Cowdray Park Polo Club at cowdraypolo.co.uk and the HPA at hpa-polo.co.uk.
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Cowdray Gold Cup FAQs
Common questions about the British Open Polo Championship
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