Queen's Cup Polo
One of the UK's premier 22-goal tournaments — played each June at Guards Polo Club on Smith's Lawn within Windsor Great Park, with royal heritage and English summer grandeur.
Tournament at a Glance
Venue
Guards Polo Club, Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park
Season
Typically June
Handicap
22-goal
Governing Body
Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA)
Setting
Smith's Lawn within Windsor Great Park, Berkshire
Status
One of the UK's premier 22-goal tournaments; a centrepiece of the English polo season
Last updated: May 2026
Background & History
Guards Polo Club
Guards Polo Club is one of England's most celebrated polo clubs, founded with royal patronage and based at Smith's Lawn within Windsor Great Park. It is the home of the Queen's Cup and occupies one of the most iconic polo settings in the world.
Smith's Lawn
Smith's Lawn, within Windsor Great Park, provides the spectacular backdrop for the Queen's Cup. The combination of manicured polo grounds and the Royal Landscape of Windsor Park makes it one of the most visually remarkable polo venues anywhere.
Royal Heritage
The Queen's Cup carries significant royal heritage. Guards Polo Club has long been associated with royal patronage, and the Windsor setting gives the tournament a ceremonial character that distinguishes it within the English polo season.
English High-Goal Season
The Queen's Cup is played in June, forming a major event in the English high-goal polo calendar alongside the Cowdray Gold Cup. Together they represent the summit of British polo competition.
Guards Polo Club & Smith's Lawn
Guards Polo Club
Guards Polo Club is one of the most prominent polo clubs in England, with multiple grass polo fields at Smith's Lawn and a long history of high-goal competition and royal association.
Smith's Lawn, Windsor Great Park
Smith's Lawn is a historic area within Windsor Great Park, a royal park in Berkshire. The grounds offer beautiful natural surroundings and an atmosphere of English grandeur unique in polo.
Getting There
Windsor is approximately 25 miles west of London. The nearest major railway station is Windsor & Eton Central, with London Paddington connections. The M4 and M25 motorways serve the area by road. Heathrow Airport is approximately 10 miles away.
Spectator Experience
The Queen's Cup final and semi-final days are among the most glamorous polo events on the English calendar. Spectators can expect excellent viewing, hospitality options, and an atmosphere befitting the Windsor setting.
Royal Heritage & Connections
Windsor Setting
Smith's Lawn within Windsor Great Park is royal land, lending the Queen's Cup a ceremonial and historic quality not found at other English polo venues.
Royal Patronage
Guards Polo Club has historically benefited from royal patronage, and the club's royal associations are an integral part of its identity and the character of the Queen's Cup.
Formal Atmosphere
The royal setting encourages a smarter standard of dress and behaviour than many other polo venues. The Queen's Cup is a recognised occasion on the English social calendar.
Part of the English Season
The Queen's Cup takes place in June, positioning it alongside other celebrated events of the English summer social season — a time when smart outdoor events are a fixture of English life.
Notable Players
The Queen's Cup has featured many of polo's most celebrated names. These are among the widely recognised players associated with the English high-goal season at Guards Polo Club.
Adolfo Cambiaso
One of the greatest polo players in history, Cambiaso has competed at the highest levels of the English high-goal season including at Guards Polo Club, representing world-class international teams.
The Pieres Brothers
Facundo and Tomas Pieres are elite Argentine players who have featured prominently in the English high-goal season, competing at fixtures including the Queen's Cup.
Luke Tomlinson
One of England's most prominent high-goal players, Tomlinson has been associated with Guards Polo Club and the Queen's Cup across multiple seasons.
Mark Tomlinson
Also among England's leading players, Mark Tomlinson has competed at the top of the English high-goal scene including at Guards Polo Club.
Dress Code
Smart summer attire is the standard for Queen's Cup fixtures. Men: blazer, smart chinos or trousers, loafers or leather shoes. Women: summer dress, smart separates or trouser suit. Flat shoes recommended for the grass.
The Queen's Cup Final is a premier social occasion. Men: suit or blazer with matching trousers. Women: elegant dress, smart outfit; hats and fascinators are actively encouraged and add to the occasion. Avoid stiletto heels on the grass.
Windsor Great Park is outdoor and the turf is grass. Flat or block-heel shoes are essential comfort. June weather can be changeable — a smart light layer or jacket is always wise.
How to Attend
Tickets & Hospitality
Tickets to the Queen's Cup are available from Guards Polo Club. Finals and semi-finals attract significant demand — early booking is advisable. Corporate and private hospitality packages are offered for key matches.
Travel & Parking
Windsor is well-served by rail from London Paddington (Windsor & Eton Central). By road, the M4 (junction 6) provides easy access. Parking is available at the venue for most fixtures.
The Divot Stomp
The traditional halftime divot stomp is part of the experience at Guards Polo Club. Spectators are invited onto the field to replace turf at halftime — flat shoes are essential.
Broader Windsor Experience
Visiting for the Queen's Cup can be combined with the wider Windsor experience — Windsor Castle, the Long Walk, and Windsor town are all nearby. Many visitors make a day or weekend of the visit.
Official Source: For confirmed dates, tickets, and hospitality, consult Guards Polo Club at guardspoloclub.com and the HPA at hpa-polo.co.uk.
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Queen's Cup FAQs
Common questions about the Queen's Cup polo tournament at Guards Polo Club
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