The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series was founded in 2009 under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai. The series was established by its Chairman, Mohammed Al Habtoor.
What began with a single tournament, the Gold Cup, has grown into one of the leading polo series in the Middle East. Today, the series consists of five prestigious tournaments:
- Silver Cup
- Gold Cup
- Polo Masters Cup
- Dubai Challenge Cup
Dubai Cup
One of the World’s Leading Polo Series
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is among the few tournament series worldwide to be played in the highest category of the World Polo Tour (WPT). This places it alongside major international polo events held in Argentina, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The series originally began with tournaments carrying a 10–12 goal handicap and has continued to develop over the years. Today, it hosts highly competitive matches featuring teams playing at an 18-goal handicap.
Recognition by the World Polo Tour
In 2012, the Gold Cup was officially recognized by the World Polo Tour (WPT).
In 2014, the WPT Committee ranked the Gold Cup as the highest competition in terms of points within the WPT Challenge Cup category, awarding 50 points to the winner.
Another major milestone followed in 2015, when the Gold Cup was upgraded from the “Challenge Cup” category to the prestigious WPT Cup category, with winners receiving 60 points.
Since 2017, the tournament has been ranked in the WPT Championship Cup category, the highest competition level in terms of points, awarding 80 points to the winner.
Other tournaments in the series are also internationally ranked:
Silver Cup: WPT Challenge Cup Category – 50 points for the winner
Dubai Challenge Cup: WPT Challenge Cup Category – 20 points for the winner
Exclusive Position in the GCC and MENA Region
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is proud to be the only tournament series with this exclusive accreditation in the GCC and MENA region, placing it among the most prestigious polo competitions worldwide.
The tournaments are played under the banner of the Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) and are conducted under strict international supervision in accordance with HPA rules and with officially appointed umpires.
World-Class Sport Meets Glamour
Across the five tournaments, some of the world’s leading polo teams and players compete for the titles. Polo uniquely combines the elegance of equestrian sport with speed, precision, strategy and the skill of a ball game.
This exciting combination of world-class sportsmanship, tradition, lifestyle and glamour has earned the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series a strong reputation on the international polo calendar.
A Major Social Highlight in Dubai
The series is also one of the region’s most important annual social and sporting events. It attracts an international audience including VIPs, dignitaries, leading figures from business and society, local and international media, and well-known personalities from around the world.
The Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series is therefore far more than a sporting competition. It brings together world-class polo, an exclusive atmosphere and international networking in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
